EU regions back call to tackle innovation gaps

Local authorities add voice to calls for better coordination between EU innovation programmes

European innovation policies must have a greater impact on regions and rely more on local governments, EU regional representatives have said.

The European Committee of the Regions, an advisory group made up of elected local and regional representatives, said on 11 December that disparities in innovation between different areas in the EU remain a huge problem. Its statement came in reaction to conclusions approved by the Council of the EU on the need to strengthen the role and impact of research and innovation in policymaking, which stressed the role of regions.