This briefing note draws extensively on the contributions to a recent ‘brainstorming’ workshop held on the 12th of February 2009, in Brussels, that brought together researchers involved in the DIME and EU-CONSENT networks of excellence, and practitioners from DG Regio of the European Commission and other Directorates-General. The first section reviews how some of the processes behind innovation impinge on regional prospects, highlighting certain dilemmas that arise for policy-makers. The second section discusses policy issues, while a third distils some lessons for the future of cohesion policy.

Contents:

I Innovation as a driver of regional development

• Excellence as the guiding principle for innovation investment
• Social embedding of innovation – systems of innovation

II Policy issues

• Governance of cohesion policy
• Space-based or space-blind policies

III Lessons for the future of cohesion