EIT Community successfully organised the Regional Innovation Scheme’s tenth anniversary in La Palma de Gran Canaria

EIT RIS @10 Event ‘Unleashing Innovation in the Outermost Regions’, took place during the morning of March 5 2024 at The Alfredo Kraus Auditorium in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in presence of Mr. Alexis Oliva Hernández, General Director of Promotion and Economic Diversification for the Canary Islands Government and Luke Incorvaja, Innovation Officer at EIT- European Institute of Innovation and Technology.

The EIT Regional Innovation Scheme is a unique programme that unlocks the innovative potential of moderate and modest countries within Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe. In light of the fact that the Outermost Regions are part of these groups, the EIT Community achieved to even more eagerly involve the targetted stakeholders in its projects, in the field of Education, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.

During the event, the EIT Strategy for the Outermost Regions, developed in close consultation with local stakeholders was presented. Key conclusions addressed possible courses of action for greater inclusion of Outermost Regions in the European innovation ecosystem. The assets of these territories are in fact aligned with the thematic priorities of the EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs).

Mr. Alexis Oliva Hernández, during his welcome words confirmed: “It is a great opportunity for us that the European Institute of Innovation and Technology has chosen the Canary Islands as the outermost region from wich to develop fórums for meetings and knowledge exchange such as this one. We very much welcome the fact that the EIT, which is the world´s largest innovation ecosystem, has made it one of its priorities to focus on the needs of the outermost regions, in order to involve them in its activities and to intensify their participation[...] The cooperation between stakeholders, entrepeneurs, the education sector and the research sector are fundamental to establish strong strategies that will allow us to unlock our full potential and continue growing as a region. Innovation and research are the path that will allow present and future economies to grow in a more sustainable and efficient manner." He concludes: "This is even more important for outermost regions such as ours, where the development of more efficient production processes, fast and sustainable transport and good communication channels are key."