The Southern Regional Assembly hosted an international workshop in Waterford focused on how digital transformation can enhance public services, healthcare delivery and regional development. The event brought together representatives of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), European regions and Irish stakeholders to share experiences and explore innovative approaches to addressing societal challenges through technology.
The workshop was hosted by the Southern Regional Assembly in cooperation with the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre and supported by TAIEX-REGIO Peer 2 Peer, the European Commission instrument which facilitates the exchange of expertise and good practice between public administrations across the EU.
The two-day workshop marked the conclusion of the Digital Citizen Services and Healthcare Experimentation Journey, part of the Preparatory Action Innovation for Place-Based Transformation. Participants and speakers from Ireland, Finland, Italy, Spain, Romania and the Netherlands reflected on lessons learned over the course of the initiative and examined how digital technologies can help create more responsive, inclusive and efficient public services.
Discussions focused on a range of topics, including healthcare innovation, digital governance, citizen-centred service design, regional innovation ecosystems and supporting businesses and communities to adopt new technologies. Speakers from the Health Service Executive, Healthy Ireland, Bio-Innovate, Munster Technological University, the SETU Walton Institute and a range of European organisations shared examples of successful place-based approaches to digital transformation.
David Kelly, Director of the Southern Regional Assembly, said: “Hosting this workshop in Waterford was an opportunity to share the Southern Region’s experience and to learn from leading regions across Europe that are using digital innovation to address societal challenges. The exchange of ideas over the two days highlighted the importance of place-based approaches, strong partnerships and knowledge sharing in delivering better outcomes for citizens. We look forward to building on these connections and applying the lessons from this Experimentation Journey to support future regional development initiatives.“
A key theme throughout the workshop was the importance of collaboration between government, industry, academia and communities in ensuring that digital transformation delivers meaningful benefits for citizens and regions. Participants also explored how successful initiatives developed in one region could be adapted and applied elsewhere across Europe.
The programme concluded with a visit to the Walton Institute at South East Technological University, where delegates learned about the institute’s work in digital research, innovation and regional collaboration. The visit provided an opportunity to showcase the strength of the Southern Region’s innovation ecosystem and its contribution to research and technological development.
The workshop highlighted the value of European cooperation in addressing shared challenges and reinforced the role of regions in driving innovation-led, place-based solutions that improve quality of life, strengthen public services and support sustainable regional growth.
Further information on the EU Preparatory Action ‘Innovation for place-based transformation’ is available at: https://place-based-innovation.ec.europa.eu/projects-0/preparatory-action-2024-2026_en
ENDS
Editor Notes:
- The workshop was hosted by the Southern Regional Assembly in partnership with the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC).
- The event was supported by TAIEX-REGIO Peer 2 Peer, an initiative of the European Commission supporting exchanges of expertise and good practice between public administrations across the EU.
- The event formed part of the European Preparatory Action Innovation for Place-Based Transformation.
- Participating territories included the Southern Region of Ireland, Oulu (Finland), Lombardy (Italy), Reus (Spain) and Cluj-Napoca (Romania).
- Further information on the Preparatory Action is available on the European Commission Joint Research Centre website: https://place-based-innovation.ec.europa.eu/projects-0/preparatory-action-2024-2026_en