WestMED-supported partnerships showcase the value of Smart Specialisation at the S3 Community of Practice Conference 2026
Brussels, 23–24 June 2026 – More than 450 policymakers, regional authorities, innovation agencies and experts gathered in Brussels for the fifth Smart Specialisation Community of Practice (S3 CoP) Conference, organised by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO).
Under the theme « Regions Driving European Innovation and Competitiveness », participants concluded that Smart Specialisation has become a strategic framework for boosting regional competitiveness, accelerating industrial transformation and strengthening Europe’s innovation capacity.
Discussions underlined the importance of reinforcing implementation, improving policy coordination and expanding interregional cooperation to help regions respond to emerging European priorities, from the green and digital transitions to the new competitiveness agenda.
From strategy to implementation
Among the conference’s breakout sessions, Matteo Bocci (WestMED central team) and Leonardo Manzari (WestMED National Hub Italy) moderated a discussion exploring how Smart Specialisation partnerships are transforming regional strategies into practical cooperation. The exchange focused on the added value of interregional collaboration in aligning investments, connecting complementary innovation ecosystems and developing joint value chains that deliver concrete results for regions across Europe.
Participants agreed that successful Smart Specialisation depends on strong governance, long-term partnerships and the ability to translate regional strengths into collaborative projects with European added value.
WestMED partnerships in the spotlight
The session showcased two partnerships supported by the WestMED Initiative as examples of Smart Specialisation in action.
Mario Dogliani, President of SDG4MED, presented the S3 SAFA partnership (Shipbuilding Alternative Fuels Alliance – also known as the Shipbuilding Propulsion Systems Alliance), which brings together European regions to accelerate the uptake of alternative fuels in the shipbuilding and maritime industries. By fostering interregional cooperation, the partnership supports innovation across the maritime value chain, helping regions develop cleaner technologies, strengthen industrial competitiveness and contribute to the decarbonisation of the blue economy.
Valeria Patruno, representing the S3 REMADE partnership (Marine Desalination and Treated Wastewater Reuse), an interregional collaboration focused on advancing resource‑efficient water management solutions. The partnership brings together regions committed to developing innovative approaches for desalination, wastewater treatment, and water reuse, supporting the transition toward a sustainable and circular blue bioeconomy.
Together, the two partnerships demonstrated how Smart Specialisation is moving from strategy to implementation. By connecting regional expertise, fostering knowledge exchange and mobilising joint investment, SAFA and REMADE illustrate the added value of interregional cooperation in delivering Europe’s innovation, sustainability and competitiveness objectives.
Looking ahead
The conference closed with a clear message: Europe’s competitiveness increasingly depends on the capacity of regions to innovate together. Smart Specialisation will continue to play a central role by connecting regional strengths with European priorities, fostering collaboration across borders and supporting investment in strategic value chains.
The experiences presented through the SAFA and REMADE partnerships demonstrated how the WestMED Initiative contributes to this ambition by enabling regions to co-create solutions, share expertise and develop innovation projects with lasting impact across the Mediterranean.
Visit the event website with a full overview of this 2 day event
