What is Smart Specialisation and how does it contribute to sustainable regional development in Europe? What is the status of Research & Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3) and to what extent do they integrate cultural and natural resources?

On 17 November 2020, ICLEI Europe hosted the 35th Breakfast at Sustainability’s, focusing on Cultural & Natural Heritage for regional Smart Specialisation Strategies (RIS3). The online event was organised in the context of RURITAGE, a Horizon2020 project that turns rural areas into laboratories to demonstrate Cultural & Natural Heritage as an engine of regeneration. The event brought together representatives of EU institutions, cultural experts, regional officers and rural stakeholders, to discuss the unexplored potential of combining Smart Specialisation with Cultural & Natural Heritage. As Europe’s regions are revising their RIS3 for the new programming period (2021-2027), and as the European Commission is setting ambitious goals for a green recovery, it was a timely moment to revisit how investment in Research & Innovation for Cultural & Natural Heritage can contribute to building a sustainable future for all.

The event was moderated by Alexandru Matei, Senior Officer in Urban-Regional Innovation and Stephania Xydia, Governance & Social Innovation Officer under the guidance of Cristina Garzillo, Senior Coordinator on Culture & Cultural Heritage at ICLEI Europe. An esteemed panel of speakers surrounded the digital breakfast table:

● Laurent de Mercey, European Commission, Unit Smart and Sustainable Growth (DG REGIO)
● Alessandro Rainoldi, Head of Unit, Territorial Development, Joint Research Centre (European Commission)
● Maciej Hofman, Policy Officer, Culture - Cultural and creative sectors (DG EAC)
● Prof. Fusco Girard, Associate Professor at IRISS - Institute for Research on Innovation and Services for Development (Italy)
● Gumersindo Bueno Benito, General Director for Cultural Heritage, Region of Castilla y León (Spain)
● Gabriela Macoveiu, Director of the Communication, Innovation and External Cooperation Department at the North-East Regional Development Agency (Romania)
● Prof. Simona Tondelli, Full Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Bologna, Project Coordinator of RURITAGE

Download the event report here.

Watch the recording here or below.