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I3 Instrument Support Facility

Discussion Group - Regional, national, European, and global value chain creation, and challenges for EU regions (focus on the less developed areas)

The current I3 projects all aim to improve a specific value chain, linking different stakeholders within the chain (producers, suppliers, distributors, consumers, etc.) and bridging supply and demand. 

The work of the discussion group in 2025 aims to identify key opportunities for supporting the creation of effective interregional, European, and global value chains through the I3 Instrument. This involves providing actionable recommendations and proposing new policy approaches around the following questions:

How can we build trust and capacity across regions to strengthen SME participation in interregional value chains?

  • How to systematically 'translate' the opportunities under I3 to stakeholders to enhance understanding, interest and engagement?   

  • How to promote the unique value I3 projects bring to LDRs as means to connect into concrete segments of European value chains in order to strengthen the formation of missing capacities?  

  • How can we foster ‘interregional innovation empathy’, promoting solidarity and understanding of regions’ challenges and recognising the value of LDRs' potential for more developed regions?

How can diverse S3 priorities and governance structures be aligned to accelerate innovation in addressing Europe's major societal challenges?

  • How can we ensure that cross-S3 collaboration is impact-driven, rather than merely a formal alignment?   

  • How to ensure sustainability of I3 project objectives and foster long-term institutional cooperation that goes beyond the project implementation phase?   

  • How can the I3 Instrument support and amplify efforts to address major societal challenges, such as through EU Missions and the Twin Transition agenda?   

  • How can the systematic identification of gaps in value chains be promoted to better target EU funding towards these areas?

Contact point: For more information, contact Elina Griniece  
griniece@efiscentre.eu.