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Overcoming Challenges: Regional Collaboration Across Europe

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By Project VIADUCT
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As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, regions across Europe face unique challenges that impact their economic growth, social cohesion, and innovation capacity. These challenges are not isolated—they affect neighbouring communities and resonate across borders. Tackling them requires collaboration, knowledge sharing, and a commitment to turning obstacles into opportunities. This is precisely the mission of the Interreg VIADUCT project, which will convene its 4th Interregional Meeting in Strasbourg, France, on 4–5 February 2025.

Why Regional Challenges Matter

Regional challenges often reflect broader societal issues, making their resolution a cornerstone for sustainable development. Addressing these issues is essential for economic growth, social equity, knowledge transfer and sustainability.

Regional Challenges in Focus

The VIADUCT project’s work underscores the diversity of challenges that regions face. Key examples from our partners include:

  • Spain: Addressing the lack of tailored support for early-stage spin-offs in rural areas, where limited access to funding and mentorship creates significant barriers.

  • France: Tackling regulatory complexity in spin-off creation, with a focus on balancing national policies and EU directives to encourage health tech innovation.

  • Lithuania: Enhancing employee involvement in spin-offs, as demonstrated by efforts in Tech Park Kaunas to foster a culture of ownership and innovation.

  • Romania: Bridging the urban-rural divide in the medical sector, focusing on disparities in private initiatives and the lack of dedicated human resources.

  • Finland: Improving EU regulatory predictability and cost transparency for health tech spin-offs in the Tampere region.

  • Italy: Revitalising villages like Pieve di Soligo by attracting spin-offs to repurpose unused spaces and create vibrant communities.

  • Ireland: Strengthening university-industry collaboration to support spin-off development, with an emphasis on knowledge transfer and innovation in the Galway region.

Collaboration at the Core

The upcoming Interregional Meeting in Strasbourg will provide a platform for stakeholders to:

  • Share progress and learnings from regional initiatives.

  • Collaborate on innovative solutions to shared challenges.

  • Strengthen networks that drive long-term impact across Europe.

By convening experts, policymakers, and practitioners, the meeting will enable participants to exchange ideas and co-create strategies that address both immediate and systemic barriers to regional development.

The Road Ahead

The VIADUCT project exemplifies how addressing regional challenges is not only about solving local issues but also about contributing to Europe’s broader resilience and innovation capacity. Each step forward strengthens the foundation for sustainable growth and collective prosperity.

Learn more about the VIADUCT project and its mission to foster innovation through interregional collaboration.