“By participating in a pan-European innovation network, the Azores can acquire new technological capabilities and strengthen their innovation ecosystem, especially in priority sectors such as cybersecurity, renewable energy, and the environment,” emphasizes Artur Lima, Vice-President of the Regional Government of the Azores, as quoted in a note sent to newsrooms.
The European Commission has selected the Portuguese regions of North, Center, Lisbon Metropolitan Area, Alentejo, and the Azores, among a total of 149 regions at the European level, as Regional Innovation Valleys, a classification awarded by the Commissioners for Cohesion and Innovation.
The Regional Innovation Valleys initiative aims to reduce the gap between regions in terms of innovation, strengthening regional innovation ecosystems, in line with the objectives of the New European Innovation Agenda and Cohesion Policy.
The measures in question include “reducing dependence on fossil fuels, mastering digital transformation (including cybersecurity), improving healthcare, promoting circularity, and increasing food security.”
In the press release, issued today, the Vice-President of the Regional Government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) also states that “the attribution of this seal allows the region to benefit from funds made available by the European Commission for innovation projects, including the 116 million euros allocated for the development of Regional Innovation Valleys.”
The seal also serves as a stimulus to the regional economy because “participation in this network can boost economic growth, lead to the creation of jobs linked to science and innovation, give us European projection, and attract external investments,” emphasizes Artur Lima.
In recent years, the region has participated in various European research and innovation actions.
According to the regional executive, in 2022, the archipelago joined a joint initiative of the European Commission’s Joint Research Center and the Committee of the Regions designated as Partnerships for Regional Innovation, with about 100 European regions that developed a manual of practical actions to increase regional innovation.
In 2023, the Government of the Azores organized the first edition of the S3 Summit, an international congress focused on research and innovation dynamics. The second edition of this initiative will take place on September 19 and 20, in Praia da Vitória, on Terceira Island.
With the election of the five regions as Regional Innovation Valleys, a seal is awarded.
In a statement released on Wednesday regarding this recognition, the North Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR-N) stated that the seal “honors the efforts of recent years in adopting a regional strategy and confirms the conditions for participation of the North’s innovation ecosystem in the European innovation agenda, through projects with other regions with a similar specialization profile or complementary skills.”
The CCDR-N “has identified reducing economic dependence on fossil fuels as the main challenge, but intends to make a commitment and take action in all areas of innovation considered in the New European Innovation Agenda, such as renewable energies, circular economy, digital transition, food security, and the public health system.”
The Regional Innovation Valleys initiative aims to reduce the gap between regions in terms of innovation, strengthening regional ecosystems in this area, in line with the objectives of the New European Innovation Agenda and Cohesion Policy.
