Sillero, Carmen (SEVILLE+-SPAIN (ES) Joint Research Center – European Commission)
Fostering European Preparedness Through Place-Based Innovation. The Territorial Dimension of the Dual-Use and Defence Industry
Authors: Carmen Sillero, Davide Magagna
Keywords: Place-Based Innovation; Niinisto Report; Preparedness
Abstract
The EU-SPRI 2025 conference theme, ‚Shaping Societal Futures with STI Policies‘, provides a timely and relevant platform to examine the crucial role of innovation in fortifying European preparedness. this track will specifically focus on the recommendations presented in the Niinisto report (2024), emphasizing the importance of a place-based approach to innovation in improving preparedness and leveraging European defence industry ecosystems at the territorial level, along with the call from the Draghi report (2024) on the importance of sustainable competitiveness in Europe.
Background:
• A new political framework in Europe and the United States, with a complex geopolitical map marked by the redefinition of relationships between major geostrategic actors, where Europe is losing prominence, and face important geostrategic threads (Russia, China. ..)
• The Niinisto report underscores the urgent need for comprehensive preparedness in light of the increasingly volatile global landscape characterized by climate change, geopolitical tensions, and evolving security threats
• The report stresses the importance of a „whole-of-society“ approach, recognizing the need for active participation of citizens, private companies, and regional actors in preparedness efforts
• Territorial innovation policies can effectively leverage the dual-use and defence industry, fostering development while contributing to the EU’s Open Strategic Autonomy.
• The current EU funds diverted to security and defence and the ones so far earmarked, fail to take full account of the local conditions-territorial, social and economic needs, they risk to being driven in a space-blind, top-down direction.
This session will explore:
• How can Defence & Dual-use Industrial investment be leveraged by territorial innovation policies and promote regional development in the context of the EU Open Strategic Autonomy?
• How can the EU foster innovation and dual-use research within defence industries to bolster preparedness for future security challenges?.
• What are the opportunities and challenges associated with developing a structured civilian security capability development program at the territorial level? Discussions will consider the need for greater agility, standardization, and collaboration in the fragmented civil security sector
Expected Contributions:
• This track seeks contributions that offer empirical insights, theoretical perspectives, and policy recommendations on the role of place-based innovation in bolstering European preparedness.
• We encourage submissions that showcase successful regional initiatives, highlight the potential of public-private partnerships, and explore the role of local communities in preparedness strategies.
• Papers that analyse the challenges and opportunities associated with strengthening European defence industry ecosystems at the territorial level are particularly welcome.
Session Format:
The track will feature a combination of presentations, panel discussions, and interactive Q&A sessions, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas and experiences among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.
Overall, this track aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of how place-based innovation can be leveraged to enhance European preparedness, aligning the recommendations of the Niinisto report and Draghi reports.