Six new Regional Innovation Valleys (RIVs) projects were presented at the Regional Innovation Valleys Forum on 12 November 2026 in Brussels, organised by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), in partnership with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD).
Funded under the 2025 Horizon Europe Work Programmes, the six projects – five under the European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) Work Programme and one under WIDERA – form the second wave of the RIVs initiative. They will receive nearly €43 million in Horizon Europe co-funding and will connect regions with complementary innovation capacities, expertise and smart specialisation priorities to address shared European challenges.
The new projects cover strategic areas ranging from photonics and quantum technologies to digital agriculture, circular and resilient manufacturing, integrated innovation ecosystems, and artificial intelligence.
Meet the 11 Regional Innovation Valleys projects
The RIVs portfolio comprises five projects from the 2023 EIE call and six projects from the 2025 EIE and WIDERA calls.
Six new projects joining in 2026
- PIONEER – Photonics and Quantum Interregional Open Network for European Excellence and Resilience: Connecting regional ecosystems to strengthen Europe’s capacity to innovate, scale and cooperate in photonics and quantum technologies.
- EQUIVALEMT – European Quantum Innovation Valleys as Strategic Emerging Technology: Strengthening European regional innovation ecosystems and cooperation in quantum technologies.
- AGRITECHVALLEY – Connected Regional Innovation Valleys for Resilient Agriculture Enabled through Digital Technologies: Connecting agricultural regions to promote digital technologies, support farmers and accelerate innovation for more resilient agriculture.
- MANUFACTURING RIV – Cooperation across Regional Innovation Valleys Fostering Digital Transformation in Circular and Resilient Manufacturing Value-Chains and Data Cooperation: Supporting digital transformation, data sharing and innovation in circular and resilient manufacturing value chains.
- VIVA – Vertical and Horizontal Integrating Innovation Valley Approach: Connecting regions with different innovation capacities through integrated approaches to scaling innovation, industrial cooperation and regional ecosystem development.
- RIVAIRA – Regional Innovation Valleys for AI-Driven Regional Acceleration: Using artificial intelligence and digital technologies to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems, connect advanced and emerging regions and support European value chains.
First wave – five projects launched in 2024
- UNITE – European Digital Health Valleys: Connecting regional ecosystems to advance digital health technologies, improve healthcare delivery and address the challenges of an ageing population and healthcare workforce shortages.
- RIVCircular – Regional Innovation Valleys for Circular Economy: Connecting European regions to develop and scale circular economy solutions in construction and demolition waste, resource and energy recovery, electric vehicle batteries, textiles and digitalisation.
- PRECISEU – Personalised Medicine Empowerment: Connecting innovation ecosystems to advance personalised medicine through accessible and interoperable health data and innovative advanced therapies.
- ECIV – European Circular Innovation Valley: Building interconnected regional ecosystems to develop and bring circular solutions to the market across key industrial value chains.
SYSTEMEU – Fostering Systemic Innovation and Digital Transformation across European Innovation Ecosystems: Connecting five regional ecosystems to promote systemic innovation and digital transformation in healthcare, energy and mobility, while bridging innovation gaps.
The portfolio brings together 11 RIV projects under Horizon Europe, with a total budget of around EUR 190 million, requested EU contribution of €95.2 million (50% co-fund actions) and 182 participations from 18 Member States and 7 Associated Countries. These include public authorities, businesses, clusters and associations, research organisations and higher and secondary education institutions.
Notably, 26% of participations come from widening countries, helping to connect regions with different levels of innovation performance and capacity.
Background
Building a more connected and competitive Europe
Regional Innovation Valleys are a flagship action of the New European Innovation Agenda, championed by the European Commission and implemented by EISMEA. The initiative brings together less innovative regions with more innovative ones to address some of the most pressing challenges facing Europe, including reducing dependence on fossil fuels, strengthening global food security, mastering the digital transformation – including cybersecurity and artificial intelligence – improving healthcare and achieving greater circularity.
Source: eismea.ec.europa.eu
