Networks and Associations

The program was launched in 2022 by Horizon Europe's European Innovation Council (EIC) with the aim of expanding EIC Business Acceleration Services, dedicated to EIC beneficiaries. As an EIC Partner, ART-ER offers specialized services directed to beneficiaries of EIC projects (Pathfinder, Transition and Accelerator), active or already concluded, and to those who have received the Seal of Excellence and are located in Emilia-Romagna.

It brings together more than 90 regions in the European Union. The Network facilitates knowledge exchange, organizes joint policy influence actions through lobbying to EU institutions, and participates in discussions with EU institutions and policy consultations to support the needs of European regions. The Network also promotes project partnerships with the aim of improving access to EU programs and strengthening the research and innovation capacity of the territories it represents.

A nonprofit organization in which about 150 development agencies participate that promotes regional economic development through the exchange of experience and best practices among members, participation in spatial development and business support programs, and dialogue with the European Commission and other EU institutions. Eurada also has strong international ties through a partnership with the International Economic Development Council (Iedc) in the United States, and with networks of economic development agencies in China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

It is an international network founded in 2004 for the purpose of promoting new policies and partnerships in science and technology. In addition to providing a qualified communication and information service, the network is also a focal point in Brussels for discussion and dialogue on all aspects of research and innovation policies in Europe and around the world. The network provides an effective link between leading universities, companies and public organizations in order to enable information sharing, define strategies of interest to its members and build partnerships.

The Competitiveness Institute (TCI) network is a non-profit organization founded in 1989 that brings together organizations and experts worldwide dedicated to the development of clusters and innovation ecosystems. The network's mission is to create and strengthen connections, foster collaborations, and develop and share knowledge and expertise among actors involved in clusters and innovation ecosystems.The TCI network gathers a wide community of actors including: development agencies, cluster organizations, business networks, government ministries and departments, universities and businesses; in addition to these institutional members individual experts - such as cluster managers, consultants, academics and policy makers - join the network.

The Vanguard Initiative (VI) is an association that brings together a large and growing number of European regions, starting with the most industrialized ones, that have an interest in developing synergies by pooling their regional strategies for smart specialization. The association's goal is to stimulate intra-regional collaborations for industrial innovation and create new value chains at the European level on primary technological thematic areas such as: Artificial Intelligence, biotechnology, sustainable and efficient manufacturing, nanotechnology, 3D printing, smart medical devices, off-shore renewables and hydrogen. The Emilia-Romagna Region is a founder member of the VI association, ART-ER, which performs a supporting function for the entire regional innovation ecosystem, participates as Associated Member.