I3 Capacity Building

Last updated: 15.7.2025
Grant

The I3 Capacity Building program, part of the Interregional Innovation Investments Instrument (I3), aims to enhance the capacity of regional innovation ecosystems, particularly in less developed regions. It fosters interregional collaboration and facilitates participation in larger I3 Instrument calls (Strands 1 and 2a) by supporting the experimentation of new approaches, solutions, and good practices for engaging in interregional innovation processes.

Who is Funded

The I3 Capacity Building program primarily targets regional innovation ecosystems, encouraging collaboration across different EU regions. It focuses on empowering actors, especially Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), to develop and strengthen their innovation potential, leading to increased participation in interregional innovation projects and contribution to EU value chains. The program specifically emphasizes supporting entities from less developed regions.

What is Funded

The I3 Capacity Building program supports various activities aimed at fostering interregional innovation. Eligible projects focus on developing and validating new approaches for ecosystem engagement, covering a broad spectrum of sectors and targeting projects in their developmental stages, from pre-piloting to market introduction.

Type and Scope of Funding

This program provides financial support primarily through grants, aiming to cover project costs at a significant rate. The funding mechanism is designed to enable extensive interregional collaboration, without specifying a maximum funding amount per project.

Conditions and Requirements

Applicants and beneficiaries must adhere to specific conditions and requirements outlined in the call documentation. These include detailed stipulations for proposal submission, consortium composition, budget management, and operational aspects to ensure compliance and project quality.

Application Procedure

The application procedure for the I3 Capacity Building program involves a structured submission process through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Evaluation is based on specific criteria, with clear communication of results to applicants.

The I3 Capacity Building program operates under a robust legal framework established by specific EU regulations and decisions, ensuring its legitimacy and adherence to European financial and regional development policies.

Similar Programs

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Funding Overview

Funding Status

Funding Status:

Closed

Maximum Amount

Maximum Amount:

Up to 100% of eligible project costs.

Allocated Budget

Allocated Budget:

13,000,000 €

Award Channel

Award Channel:

Competitive Tender

Region

Region:

EU regions, with a strong focus on less developed regions.

Sectors

Sectors:

Agriculture and Agribusiness, Construction and Building Materials, Energy Production and Supply, Renewable Energy, Water and Waste Management, Transportation and Logistics, Information and Communication Technology, Healthcare, Medical Technology, Education and Vocational Training, Research and Development, Service Sector, Other

Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries:

regional innovation ecosystem actors, SMEs

Application Type

Application Type:

Consortium Required

Funding Stages

Funding Stages:

Experimental Development, Prototyping, Pilot Testing, Product Development, Market Introduction

Funding Provider

Program Level:

European Union

Funding Body:

European Commission

Managed By:

European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA)

Additional Partners:

Clusters representing companies, universities, RTOs, innovation agencies, private for-profit organizations (e.g., consultancies, MedTech start-ups, software development, film production), non-governmental organizations, higher or secondary education establishments, and public organizations (e.g., regional development funds, city councils, regional authorities).

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