When: 15 October 2025, Time: 14:30 - 16:00 CET, Where: Van Maerlant building-BrusselsJoin Think East Netherlands during the European Week of Regions and Cities 2025 for an interactive session exploring the power of regional collaboration in dual-use innovation, SME development, and strengthening strategic value chains. We will bring together political leaders, policymakers and regional representatives from across Europe to share best practices and draft concrete policy recommendations aimed at reinforcing the EU's defence innovation landscape.Moderator: Erwin Hoogland, regional minister of the Province of Overijssel and member of the European Comittée of the Regions.Register <a href="https://regions-and-cities.europa.eu/programme/2025/programme/49202#close-modal" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">here</a>.This session is for anyone working on innovation, regional development, security, or EU industrial policy. Expect lively debate, inspiring regional examples, and a forward-looking vision of how Europe’s regions can drive strategic resilience.<figure class="image"><img src="https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/Schermafbeelding_2025_07_22_112934_522da37486.png" alt="Schermafbeelding 2025-07-22 112934.png" srcset="https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/thumbnail_Schermafbeelding_2025_07_22_112934_522da37486.png 245w, https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/small_Schermafbeelding_2025_07_22_112934_522da37486.png 500w, https://cms.thinkeast.nl/uploads/medium_Schermafbeelding_2025_07_22_112934_522da37486.png 750w" sizes="100vw" width="750"></figure>

Strengthening Europe's Defence Innovation Ecosystem

Join our EWRC 2025 session