Competitiveness, innovation ecosystems and smart specialization
The fifth annual conference of the Smart Specialisation Community of Practice (S3 CoP) will take place in Brussels on June 23 and 24, 2026. The event is primarily aimed at the S3 community, but is also open to other stakeholders from the innovation ecosystem. This year's focus will be on the role that smart specialisation can play in future European competitiveness.
Under the title " Regions driving European Innovation and Competitiveness," the conference addresses the future of smart specialization strategies and their significance for a changing European competitiveness agenda. Topics include strengthening innovation ecosystems, their integration with industrial policy, multi-level governance, and interregional cooperation.
The program includes high-level keynote speeches, panel discussions on the strategic role and successful implementation of smart specialization strategies, regional pitches with practical examples, and breakout sessions on topics such as interregional cooperation, governance, and competitiveness. The second day of the conference will focus on in-depth working sessions within the thematic platforms, partnerships, and new learning communities.
The conference brings together political decision-makers, regional authorities, innovation agencies, clusters, researchers, and practitioners from across Europe. The aim is to discuss how regions can effectively promote innovation and thus contribute to Europe's future competitiveness.
Source: ec.europa.eu
