Commissioner Roswall's address at the event 'Territories in Action: A Sneak Peek into Transformative Innovation'

Territories in Action: A Sneak Peek into Transformative Innovation

Dear Vice-President, Honourable Members of the European Parliament, representatives of territories, colleagues, and friends,

Today we are not simply presenting results.

The representative of the territories who are here today show us the proof that place-based innovation works. Real estate agents always say “Location, location, location”. Today we are gathered to give this slogan some solid evidence.

Today we celebrate the belief in Europe's capacity to transform itself from the ground, bottom up. In these challenging times, this is a positive story about the EU and its regions and their capacity to deliver change.

When the EU trusts its territories, listens to their experience, and equips them with the right tools, local innovation can become real change.

This is what this Preparatory Action is about.

It turns ideas into action, and action into evidence.

It is about recognising that Europe's strength lies mainly with the creativity, resilience, and determination of neighbourhoods, municipalities and regions.

This is where Europe's future is being shaped every day.

Last time I joined you through a video address, but it is a pleasure to be able to be here in-person today. I am delighted to share a stage and space with so many people that are dedicating their time and ideas to re-imagining Europe.

In just one year, 200 territories have engaged in this action.

That is not just participation.

That is trust, energy, and a shared determination to do things differently.

Today, we will hear personal stories about the work achieved in territories in Finland, Spain and Slovakia – Ostrobothnia, Catalonia and Banská Bystrica.

And there is so much more happening.

I know my neighbours from Dalarna, back in Sweden, work on increasing circularity and bringing new life to the plastics sector.

Norte Portugal is looking for a new energy mix to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Tuscany, in Italy, is reimagining its living spaces within the New European Bauhaus values, to make life more inclusive and with less barriers for its citizens.

These territories are prioritising and looking for solutions to some of the most pressing issues of our time.

One of them is water resilience. As the commissioner with water in my title, I am pleased to share with you that now also water resilience will be part of the Preparatory Actions.

Because water is not only a resource. It is life. It is security.

I recognise that the path to water resilience is complex and will sometimes involve navigating between science, evidence, possibilities, practice, regulation and resources.

But it is also about action on the ground done by citizens, where they live. In their territories – creating their own models, exchanging best practices, others can follow.

If we want Europe to really drive change and innovate on challenges, then we must create the right environment for experimentation, learning, and delivery.

We must make sure that regulation, policy, and investment support innovation not only in the places where it is strongest already, but in every territory that is ready to contribute.

Europe does not move forward only through rules and strategies. The Bottom-Up approach of the Preperatory Actions is key to better understand how rules work, and strategies come real.

It moves forward through people. Through the mayors who take difficult decisions, the regional leaders who build partnerships, the innovators who keep going when the path is uncertain, and the communities who believe that a better future is possible.

This is what place-based transformative innovation delivers: a Europe that is closer to its people, stronger in its territories, and more hopeful in the face of change.

I wish you an excellent exchange and thank you for your commitment in building an innovative future.