Innovation can only strengthen Europe's competitiveness if it reaches every territory and unlocks the potential of cities, regions and rural communities alike, EPP-CoR members underlined during the conference "Applying a place-based approach and territorial lenses to innovation: from metropolitan to rural areas", organised in Trnava, Slovakia. Participants highlighted the importance of bridging the innovation gap between metropolitan and rural areas, supporting start-ups and scale-ups across all regions, and strengthening cross-border cooperation to ensure that innovation drives prosperity, cohesion and resilience throughout Europe.
"Bridging the urban-rural divide is not about replicating urban models everywhere; it is about recognising the specific potential of each territory and ensuring better links between them," said Tanya Hristova, Mayor of Gabrovo and First Vice-Chair of the European Committee of the Regions' SEDEC Commission. She stressed that innovation policies must be tailored to local realities and that all regions should have the tools and opportunities to develop their strengths. Hristova also emphasised that supporting start-ups and scale-ups across Europe is essential to ensure that innovation benefits are widely shared and that no territory is left behind. Looking ahead, she highlighted that Europe's future will be shaped through cooperation, co-creation and stronger networks between cities and regions.
"Innovation does not happen in policy papers alone. It happens through people: entrepreneurs, researchers, students, communities, and local and regional governments," said József Berényi, Vice-President of the Trnava Region. He stressed that Europe already possesses the ideas and talent needed to succeed but must create the right conditions for innovation to flourish across regions and across borders. Berényi argued that stronger connections between sectors and territories can help reduce disparities while creating greater prosperity, unity and resilience across the European Union.
The conference brought together representatives from European institutions, regional and local authorities, academia, innovation organisations and business stakeholders to discuss how a place-based approach can strengthen Europe's innovation capacity. Discussions focused on reducing territorial innovation gaps, fostering cooperation between metropolitan and rural areas, and building effective cross-border innovation ecosystems. Speakers also explored the role of EU instruments, including Interreg programmes and Regional Innovation Valleys, in helping regions collaborate, share resources and turn geographic proximity into a strategic advantage for competitiveness and sustainable growth.