<p>On 15 September, companies, research organisations, clusters and regional partners from across Europe gathered in Genk, Flanders, for the Vanguard Initiative Advanced Manufacturing Business Innovators Meeting 2026. The meeting focused on advanced manufacturing innovations that contribute to a more resilient and competitive European industry.</p><h2>From European cooperation to concrete projects</h2><p>East Netherlands is an active member of the Vanguard Initiative, a European network of industrial regions working together on shared innovation priorities. Through Vanguard, we connect companies and knowledge institutions in East Netherlands with complementary expertise, industrial ecosystems and innovation partners across Europe.</p><p>The meeting in Genk showed how this cooperation works in practice. It was co-organised by Sirris and the Vanguard Initiative 3DP Pilot, with support from the Efficient &amp; Sustainable Manufacturing (ESM) Pilot.</p><p>Companies including ASCO, Materialise and CastLab presented industrial challenges related to digitalisation, data governance, security and manufacturing intelligence. Participants explored potential solutions and partnerships, while dedicated project-building sessions focused on developing collaborations around upcoming Horizon Europe Cluster 4 opportunities.</p><p>The ambition goes beyond exchanging knowledge. Vanguard connects European regions and their industrial ecosystems to turn shared challenges into new partnerships, project concepts and concrete follow-up actions.</p><h2>Opportunities for East Netherlands</h2><p>East Netherlands participates in the Vanguard pilots involved in the meeting. This gives companies and knowledge institutions in our region opportunities to connect with European partners, access complementary expertise, explore new value chains and develop international innovation projects.</p><p>For Think East Netherlands, networks such as Vanguard are an important way to strengthen the European position of East Netherlands and connect our regional innovation ecosystems to opportunities elsewhere in Europe.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Are you a company or knowledge institution in East Netherlands and interested in the Vanguard Initiative or European collaboration opportunities? Contact Ingrid Meijer, EU Project Manager at Oost NL, to explore how you can get involved.</p>

Vanguard Initiative connects European industry in Genk