Experts Offer Strategic Insights for Vidzeme Open Innovation Hub through Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform Peer Review

On January 24, the Development Board of Vidzeme Planning Region convened to discuss the advancement of the Vidzeme Open Innovation Hub (VAIC). Municipalities expressed their commitment to collaborating and investing resources in the hub’s development during the meeting. The session also welcomed five international experts from various European regions who visited Vidzeme as part of the Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform Peer Review expert visit to provide recommendations for establishing an effective governance and funding model for VAIC.

The experts emphasized the importance of a clear roadmap with measurable objectives and concrete tasks to ensure the hub’s successful growth, allowing for strategic investments and long-term regional benefits. Municipalities were recognized as key stakeholders in shaping these objectives. In this context, the possibility of agreeing on a fixed per-capita financial contribution to create a joint fund for VAIC’s core activities was considered, with municipalities acknowledging the feasibility of this approach.

Various funding models were discussed, including securing international project funding, exploring state co-financing opportunities, and fostering partnerships with the private sector to enhance the hub’s financial stability and operational flexibility. Participants agreed that relying solely on external funding could pose risks to the hub’s continuity, making it essential to establish a stable and predictable financial foundation.

Additionally, discussions focused on VAIC’s governance structure, its collaboration with academic and scientific institutions, and its engagement with local businesses. Experts highlighted the role of a robust innovation ecosystem in regional economic development and talent attraction.

Planning was identified as a key element in building a sustainable innovation ecosystem—even when adjustments are made over time, maintaining a clear strategic direction and consistently implementing key steps is crucial. The exchange of best practices was also underscored, as learning from other regions’ experiences can accelerate implementation processes and optimize resource allocation.

Participants were encouraged to think beyond administrative boundaries and promote collaboration both at the regional and international levels. Experts particularly stressed the value of cooperation with similar organizations abroad, as it facilitates the transfer of best practices and enhances innovation capacity.

A significant insight from the discussions was the need for specialization in smaller cities, while also maintaining sectoral diversification to reduce dependence on a single industry and ensure resilience to economic fluctuations. Experts noted that smaller municipalities are often more open to inter-municipal collaboration, whereas larger cities may be more inclined to pursue autonomous growth due to competitiveness concerns. However, this approach could potentially limit innovation and reduce opportunities for attracting and integrating high-value investments into the broader regional economy.

Experts also highlighted VAIC’s potential role in supporting municipalities developing industrial parks, emphasizing the hub’s function as a mechanism for enhancing regional innovation capacity and fostering high-value-added entrepreneurship.

Upon reviewing the recommendations, the Development Board members agreed that VAIC’s mission is to strengthen the regional innovation ecosystem, support businesses, and drive sustainable regional growth. International experts commended municipalities for their initiative in actively participating in VAIC’s establishment and development, as well as for leveraging the opportunities provided by the Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform Peer Review expert visit.

Additional Information on Vidzeme Open Innovation Hub (VAIC)

Recognizing the need to develop a regional innovation ecosystem—an area where no dedicated national-level policy actions have been implemented to date—the Vidzeme Planning Region and Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences formalized an agreement in April 2024 to establish the Vidzeme Open Innovation Hub (VAIC).

As a joint initiative of two institutions, VAIC will serve as a collaboration platform aimed at strengthening the region’s knowledge and innovation ecosystem. The agreement underscores both institutions’ commitment to continuously seeking new ways to engage more organizations and businesses in the innovation ecosystem and enhancing their interaction.

VAIC operates with four core objectives:
🔹 Fostering a culture of collaboration and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders.
🔹 Enhancing stakeholder competencies and understanding of innovation and knowledge processes.
🔹 Optimizing innovation and knowledge policy to ensure a structured and effective approach.
🔹 Strengthening the role of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences in both the regional and international innovation ecosystem, while positioning Vidzeme’s innovation potential on a global scale.

The establishment of VAIC aligns with Vidzeme Planning Region’s strategic goal to drive economic growth and development. A key factor in achieving this goal is creating an effective innovation support environment, where knowledge transfer and information exchange between entrepreneurs, research and education institutions, and municipalities stimulate the creation of new products, services, and technologies, particularly in Vidzeme’s smart specialization areas.

For further questions:
Santa Vītola, Head of the Vidzeme Open Innovation Hub
santa.vitola@vidzeme.lv
+371 26674261

Prepared by:
Anita Āboliņa, Communication Manager
anita.abolina@vidzeme.lv
+371 29454752