MARIE, an interregional project was born from a desire among partners to convert debate on Responsible Research & Innovation (RRI) into tools for regional development. MARIE hit the ground running with a kick off meeting being held in February. The five-year project was approved for a grant of €1.9m by Interreg Europe Programme late last year.

The consortium of 10 project partners (including the Southern Regional Assembly on the Irish side) are working together to face challenges associated with RRI to improve regional public policy that supports delivery of responsible research and innovation in design, production and distribution of innovation in Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) Sectors, focusing on 3 types of RRI support action; Quadruple Helix; Open Innovation; Information & Tools for RRI application.

Using interregional activities, communication and stakeholder engagement, partners will develop Action Plans that will result in: improved policy instruments; more and better targeted funding for RRI delivery; increased capacity among innovation actors and consolidated partnerships of quadruple helix innovation chain stakeholders.

MARIE’s first interregional learning event was hosted by the incubator CesenaLab, Italy in February, under the curious eyes of busy start-uppers and with active participation by local stakeholders.

The partners, from 8 European regions and coordinated by CISE, gathered together to learn more about the concept of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI). They were supported in this by a group of local and regional stakeholders with experience in innovation, sustainability and social & environmental responsibility. The second interregional learning event, hosted by the Greek partners in sunny Athens in May proved very productive. RRI good practises identified by each partner were explored, as was the method of gathering data relating to mapping RRI in each partner region. Local and regional stakeholders working in the areas of innovation and social entrepreneurship also shared their knowledge and experience with participants. MARIE is part-funded by the Interreg Europe Programme, through the European Regional Development Fund and is led by CISE – Special Agency of the Chamber of Commerce of Florì-Cesena, Italy.

MARIE will run until 2021, find out more about MARIE at www.interregeurope.eu/marie/