KEP seminar explores the European Innovation Act’s impact on cities and regions

On 1 October 2026, the European Committee of the Regions hosted a Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP) seminar in Brussels, organised with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. KEP is a joint initiative promoting structured dialogue on research and innovation policy, with an emphasis on local and regional impact. Entitled 'From Innovation Act to Regional Imp(Act)', the event explored how Europe’s innovation agenda can deliver tangible results for cities and regions.

Taking place shortly after the Commission proposed the European Innovation Act, the seminar offered an early opportunity to discuss the proposal directly with policymakers and innovation stakeholders. Jean-David Malo, Acting Director for ERA and Innovation at DG RTD, presented the Act in a keynote address.

Discussions focused on three priorities: enabling cities and regions to become launch markets for innovation, using public procurement to bring innovative solutions from laboratories to market, and strengthening connections between research, start-ups, scale-ups, investors and public authorities.

As the proposal progresses through the legislative process, the Commission will continue working with cities, regions and the Committee of the Regions to support practical implementation.

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