AG1 Work Plan 2026-2028

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Action Group 1 (AG1) implements Action 1 under Policy Pillar 1 (Economic growth and innovation) of the EUSALP Action Plan 2025. It aims at “strengthening an effective research and innovation ecosystem” in the Alpine region.

The Alpine region is home to a large number of renowned research and innovation (R&I) centres. However, significant disparities in policies, access to funding, and the adoption of the information and communication technologies exist. Although there is some collaboration of R&I centres, this happens often on a rather local basis, stays limited to specific topics or stakeholders, or takes place only temporarily on the basis of projects. Innovation facilities are mainly concentrated in urban centres, with fewer hubs in rural areas.

AG1 aims at tackling those challenges by, above all, enhancing networks and collaboration, as this is seen as the basis for most further reaching activities. For the period 2026-2028, AG1 will contribute to the three main topics highlighted in the 2025 EUSALP Action Plan:

1. Alpine-wide coordination of research and/or innovation policies,
2. Fostering exchanges between research institutions, businesses and public authorities,
3. Supporting a more geographically balanced development of innovation and research.

The strategic rationale is the broad understanding of innovation within AG1, including social innovation, and to incorporate the spatial perspective of R&I in the work. As R&I is a transversal topic, synergies with basically all EUSALP Actions are possible. This fact shall be used to intensify collaboration with other AGs and beyond.

The AG1-WorkPlan 2026-2028 describes key activities for all main topics and for governance and collaboration, as well as intended communication measures.

Keywords: Research – Innovation – Broad understanding of innovation – Social innovation – Research institution networks – Spatial perspective of R&I – Research institutions, businesses, public authorities, citizens – Multiplier institutions – Geographically balanced development – Capacity building – Sharing experiences – Decentral rural hubs – Research policies – Governance systems – Integration of available expertise – Collaboration on different levels – Mobilising youth