Skip to content

← All news

Innovation Driving Economic Growth: A Collaborative Vision

31 March 2025

Press Release

Innovation Driving Economic Growth: A Collaborative Vision

Last Thursday, global leaders and experts gathered online to explore how innovation centres can drive regional economic growth, resilience, and sustainable development. Hosted by Areopa and the **World Health Innovation Summit (WHIS),**this stakeholder event highlighted the vital role of governments, businesses, and development partners in fostering dynamic innovation ecosystems.

Key Themes & Discussions

The event underscored the importance of entrepreneurship, capacity-building, and knowledge-sharing in accelerating economic transformation. A special focus was placed on establishing Innovation Centres—hubs designed to unite stakeholders, fuel innovation, and drive social cohesion through targeted funding and training programs.

Speakers:

🔹** Gareth Presch – CEO, World Health Innovation Summit (WHIS) �� Ludo Pyis – Founder, The Areopa Group 🔹 Markku Markkula – Vice-President, European Committee of the Regions (CoR); President, Helsinki Region 🔹 Leonora Kusari – Regional Coordinator, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) 🔹 Armend** Aliu – CEO & Co-founder, SPINP

Key Takeaways:

Regional Innovation & Economic Growth – The need for government-backed initiatives that empower local businesses and entrepreneurs. ✅ Tackling EU Healthcare Challenges – Leveraging innovation to improve healthcare systems and accessibility. ✅ Strategic Roadmap for Innovation Centres – Presented by WHIS & Areopa, outlining funding strategies and impact-driven collaborations. ✅ Stakeholder Engagement – Participants explored funding opportunities, partnerships, and innovative projects to drive sustainable development.

Next Steps

The event concluded with a strong commitment to advancing Innovation Centres and fostering multi-sector collaboration to unlock economic potential across Europe and beyond.

📢** Stay tuned for upcoming initiatives**!

#Innovation #EconomicGrowth #WHIS #Areopa #FutureOfBusiness #Collaboration