On 17 June 2026, Kraków hosted the conference “I3 Instrument: The Financial Bridge to Innovation Partnerships”, organised by the Małopolska Region in cooperation with the European Commission. The event brought together regional authorities, innovation intermediaries, clusters, and European network representatives to explore how the I3 Instrument can support interregional innovation investments and strengthen Europe’s competitiveness.
The conference was opened by Witold Kozłowski, Vice-Marshal of the Małopolska Region, who underlined the strategic importance of innovation for regional and European economic resilience. This regional potential was further highlighted by Jerzy Kopeć, Deputy Director of the Department of Owner Supervision and Economy of the Małopolska Region, who delivered a comprehensive presentation showcasing Małopolska’s ecosystem strengths and strategic approach in relation to the I3 instrument. Representatives of DG REGIO — Wolfgang Munch, Tomislav Pinter, and Justina Ivanova — provided an in-depth overview of the I3 Instrument, its objectives, and key evaluation criteria, with a focus on Poland’s and Małopolska’s track record under the instrument.
The Vanguard Initiative was prominently featured in a dedicated panel discussion — “I3 in Practice: How to Build a Good Consortium?” — moderated by Justina Ivanova. The panel brought together representatives from the Vanguard Initiative, ERRIN, the S3 Community of Practice, and regional cluster organisations to discuss what makes an I3 consortium strong in practice. Ellen Mulder, Chair of the Vanguard Initiative and representative of East Netherlands, contributed to the discussion alongside Cristina Baghiu (Digital Innovation Zone EDIH), Irena Łobocka (Sustainable Infrastructure Cluster) and Arnaud Ménial (S3 Community of Practice).
A key takeaway from the discussion: building a strong consortium starts well before a call is launched. It requires early conversations, trust-building among partners, clarity on value chain logic, meaningful SME involvement, and an honest understanding of what each participant brings to the table, with active regions playing a crucial role in facilitating these connections within their ecosystems.
The conference reaffirmed the relevance of the I3 Instrument as a key stepping stone for Vanguard Initiative member regions looking to scale up interregional innovation projects towards market uptake and investment readiness.