How do regional innovation ecosystems operate – and create European impact?
On 15 October, Neth-ER together with MBO Raad (Dutch VET Council) and Vereniging Hogescholen (Dutch Universities of Applied Sciences)/UASNL warmly invites you to attend her hybrid event on regional innovation ecosystems. The workshop will be organised as a side event of the EURegionsWeek 2025 in Brussels. The event will be a follow-up to last year's succesful side-event on regional innovation education ecosystems and the leading role of VET/HE partnerships.
Tentative programme
The workshop includes a keynote speech, a panel discussion and an opportunity for networking. This workshop explores practical examples of regional collaboration between vocational and higher education (VET/HE), local governments and industry in fostering innovation ecosystems with European impact. We will engage with expert speakers and also zoom in on the health sector, through e.g. the Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) EUVECA, to discuss how these partnerships contribute to sustainable innovative growth and European competitiveness. The event ends with a networking session.
Please reach out to selier@neth-er.eu to receive the webstreaming link for online attendance.
Please note the capacity for on-site attendance has been reached.
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14:00-14:10
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Walk-in
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14:10-14:15
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Introduction
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14:15 – 14:45
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Keynote speech - on the importance of networks and cooperation in ecosystems for the transitions Europe faces
- Klaus Niederlander, Network Manager at VANGUARD INITIATIVE, network of European innovation regions
Incl. Q&A
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14:45 – 14:50
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Pitch - on the practices and obstacles of regional ecosystems
- Astrid Hannes, Head of Projects of ERRIN (European Regions Research and Innovation Network)
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14:50 – 15:45
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Panel discussion
Moderator: Gaby Allard, member of the Executive Board of ROC of Amsterdam-Flevoland, Board Member of the Dutch VET Council (MBO Raad)
Panellists:
- Liliya Terzieva, professor Designing Value Networks & Director Centre of Expertise Mission Zero at the Hague University of Applied Sciences
- Marjolein den Ouden, professor Technology, Health & Care at Saxion University of Applied Sciences about EUVECA – Centre of Vocational Excellence & professor Care & Technology, Regional Community College of Twente (ROC Twente)
- Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Arends-Fischer, professor Corporate Management and Engineering at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences
- Astrid Hannes, Head of Projects of ERRIN (European Regions Research and Innovation Network)
Including live Q&A
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15:45 – 16:00
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Reflection & closing remarks – Dick Pouwels, Chairman of the Executive Board at Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Research at The Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences (VH)
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16:00 – 16:30
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Networking on-site
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Date: 15 October 2025
Time: 14:00-16:30 CEST
Location: Neth-ER office – Aarlenstraat/Rue d’Arlon 22, 1050, Brussels & livestream online
Context
This year will mark the 23rd edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities organised by the European Commission and stakeholders. This event will take place from 13-15 October in Brussels, with the motto ‘Shaping tomorrow, together’. This year's themes centre around cohesion policy, community needs for education, and the role of cities for competitiveness and innovation. Attending this week is an indispensable opportunity to network with educational institutions, regional and provincial authorities and European stakeholders. The Save the Date for this side-event was published earlier this year.
