The Welsh Government’s Innovation team is inviting organisations across Wales to join a virtual event on Thursday (15 October), forming the next learning stage in the European COHES3ION partnership.

Broadcast live to a global audience, the event will form part of the agenda for the European Week of Regions and Cities, and will see experts from Ireland’s Southern Regional Assembly share an insight into how they have helped boost the impact of Smart Specialisation Strategy (RIS3) in the region.

COHES3ION, a three-year EU Interreg project which brings together 10 partners from eight European countries — including Wales — aims to strengthen their economies by aligning innovation policies from a macro to micro regional level, spreading prosperity across each partner’s territories.

During the series of learning journeys, each partner is encouraged to share best practice and promote the dissemination of knowledge. The project seeks to increase inter-regional cohesion and help inspire other countries to continually revisit and adapt their own strategies.

Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, said, “During a time of economic uncertainty, strengthening Wales’s links with European partners is more important than ever. The COHES3ION project helps us do just that, providing the nation with a European platform to showcase our technological expertise, while gaining an insight into the successes of other countries.

“The virtual learning journeys are an excellent opportunity to hear about strategies and gain insights from the other partner regions.

“I look forward to building on Wales’s role as a COHES3ION member, as we continue to work to achieve the goals set out under the Welsh Government’s Economic Action Plan — which include growing our economy and reducing inequality.”

Information and tickets for the next virtual journey, taking place on Thursday 15 October, can be found here.