The European Commission has recently adopted the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument Work Programme for 2025-2027, allocating €176 million to foster interregional collaboration and innovation across the European Union.
Overview of the I3 Instrument
The I3 Instrument, under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), supports interregional innovation projects aiming to scale up and commercialize innovations. It facilitates overcoming regulatory and market barriers, bringing projects closer to investment readiness. By promoting Smart Specialization and interregional collaboration, the I3 Instrument strengthens regional ecosystems, fosters sustainable investment connections, and accelerates the market uptake of research results.
What can participants gain?
Participation in the I3 Instrument provides project beneficiaries with opportunities for:
- Financial Support: Access to funding for testing, piloting, validation, and market replication of innovations.
- Advisory Services: Guidance to navigate the commercialization process and overcome barriers to market entry.
- Networking Opportunities: Connections with other innovation actors, including SMEs, research institutions, clusters, and public authorities across EU regions.
I3 Work Programme: At a Glance
With a total budget of €176 million for the period 2025-2027, the I3 Instrument aims to support interregional innovation investments by supporting consortia of innovation actors—small and medium enterprises (SMEs), research institutions and universities, clusters and innovation intermediaries, and public authorities—to bring their innovations to a mature level, ready for commercialization and scale-up, while bridging the innovation divide in Europe. This program funds three main topics:
- Strand 1, supporting consortia from regions with shared smart specialization areas, ready to invest in interregional innovation projects.
- Strand 2a, funding value chain development in less developed regions and integrating them into EU value chains.
- Strand 2b, strengthening regional innovation ecosystems and building capacity for interregional business cases.
The I3 Instrument emphasizes themes such as the digital and green transitions and smart manufacturing while encouraging links to the challenges identified in the New European Innovation Agenda and the critical technologies outlined in the Strategic Technology for Europe Platform (STEP).
Success in the I3 Instrument: Past Projects
Key Figures:
- €224 million committed by the end of Q1 2025 to project holders under the I3 Instrument.
- 53 funded projects, including both investments and capacity-building initiatives.
- 35 investment projects, with at least 70% of the funding directly allocated to companies and SMEs.
- 18 capacity-building projects, focusing on ecosystem growth, investment scouting, networking, and benchmarking.
Real World Success: Project Example
The SustainX: Fostering Sustainable Digital Innovation Investment project, backed by €1.5 million under Strand 2b of the I3 program, is set to drive innovation in Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, Latvia, and the Canary Islands by strengthening SME capabilities. Led by a consortium of seven partners, SustainX focuses on interregional collaboration to accelerate Europe’s transition to a green and digital economy, ensuring that less developed regions can thrive in the evolving innovation landscape.
Turning Ideas into Action
If you have a project idea that aligns with the objectives of the I3 Instrument, now is the perfect moment to start shaping it. With the next calls expected in May and October 2025, opportunities are on the horizon for those ready to contribute to Europe’s innovation landscape. As details unfold following the adoption of the Work Programme 2025-2027, strategic planning will be key to securing funding.
At Inneürope, we specialize in EU funding applications, offering end-to-end support—from defining your project concept to drafting compelling proposals and assembling strong consortia. Whether you need guidance on proposal writing or help finding the right partners, our expertise ensures your project stands out.
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