RUN-EU brings together its ten partner institutions for the RUN-EU Innovation Day, an annual initiative celebrating innovation, creativity, and collaboration across Europe. Held simultaneously across the alliance, the event connects universities with their regional communities, creating opportunities to exchange ideas, showcase innovative solutions and strengthen partnerships.

Built around a shared European concept, each RUN-EU partner develops a programme reflecting its regional priorities and challenges. From technological and environmental innovation to social, cultural and economic initiatives, this approach celebrates the diversity of RUN-EU’s regions while reinforcing a common commitment to innovation and sustainable development.

The RUN-EU Innovation Day brings together students, lecturers, researchers, businesses, entrepreneurs, social organisations, and regional stakeholders in an open, participatory environment. Through talks, panel discussions, workshops and networking activities, participants can share experiences, discover new perspectives and identify opportunities for collaboration.

Particular emphasis is placed on engaging communities beyond academia, including SMEs, start-ups, spin-offs, associated partners and members of the public. By showcasing innovative projects and regional success stories, the initiative strengthens connections between higher education, industry and society, showing how local ideas can help address shared European challenges.

Organised annually in connection with European Science Week, the RUN-EU Innovation Day reflects the alliance’s commitment to fostering regional innovation ecosystems, encouraging knowledge exchange and building a more connected, creative and sustainable Europe.

Discover this year’s RUN-EU Innovation Day activities and programmes below.