On 3 March 2026, policymakers, innovators, and regional stakeholders gathered in Brussels for the event “From Vision to Impact: Successful Implementation of EU Regional Policy – The Podkarpackie Center for Innovation Example.” Hosted at the Business & Science Poland Office, the event highlighted how EU regional policy can effectively support innovation ecosystems and strengthen science–business collaboration at regional level.
The meeting brought together representatives from European institutions, national authorities, regional governments, academia, and industry to discuss the role of regional innovation ecosystems in fostering entrepreneurship and translating research into market-ready solutions.
The Podkarpackie Region showcased its Podkarpackie Centre for Innovation (PCI) as a successful example of how EU funding can support innovation, connect research with business, and empower young entrepreneurs. An audiovisual presentation illustrated how the centre helps bridge the gap between science and entrepreneurship, creating opportunities for researchers and startups to transform ideas into impactful solutions.
The event opened with remarks from Wolfgang Münch, Senior Expert at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO), Monika Sikora, Undersecretary of State at the Polish Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy, and Władysław Ortyl, Marshal of the Podkarpackie Region and Vice-President of NEREUS. Marshal Ortyl highlighted the importance of regional cooperation and innovation-driven development in strengthening Europe’s competitiveness.
NEREUS was represented by its Secretary General, Roya Ayazi, and Margarita Chrysaki, Comm/Policy/Project Officer, who joined the discussions alongside key European stakeholders. Their participation underlined the network’s commitment to supporting regions in harnessing innovation and space-enabled technologies to drive sustainable regional growth.
Roya Ayazi and Marshal Ortyl
Throughout the event, speakers explored several aspects of building strong regional innovation ecosystems. Martyna Łuszczek, a young innovator recognized in Forbes 25 Under 25, shared her inspiring journey illustrating how regional support mechanisms can nurture emerging talent and encourage young innovators. Kamil Ziółkowski from Supercluster presented how initiatives such as hackathons can evolve into space startups, highlighting the importance of early-stage innovation support.
Additional discussions focused on engaging young people in shaping an innovative Europe, as well as on the transition from research funding to successful commercialization. Experts from the European Commission, research institutions, and industry shared insights on how science-to-business collaboration and effective use of R&D grants can generate tangible economic and societal benefits. The event concluded with reflections on the future of regional innovation strategies and the continued role of EU cohesion policy in enabling regions to transform research excellence into real-world impact.
NEREUS welcomes initiatives such as the Podkarpackie Centre for Innovation, which demonstrate how regional policy, innovation support, and collaboration across sectors can create dynamic ecosystems that empower researchers, entrepreneurs, and regions across Europe.
