Connecting the territory through the innovation network
The INOLINK project focuses on regional policies and practices for the diffusion of innovation. It tackles the issue of innovation activities being usually concentrated on a limited number of innovative firms, typically concentrated in some geographical areas, while most of the European firms, generally SMEs, never undertake innovation. 

The overall objective of the INOLINK project is improving the reach of regional innovation policies, through a better connection of actors within the regional innovation system, especially of those located in the most peripheral and backward areas. To achieve this objective, the INOLINK project proposes the exchange of experiences in the setting up and functioning of public structures and networks, which support innovation and the participation in R&D cooperation and knowledge transfer of actors in peripheral areas and less innovative sectors within the regional innovation system.
Eleven partners from nine EU Member States participate in the INOLINK project, covering a wide EU geographical area. The partnership includes regional authorities, regional innovation networks and other intermediary bodies set up by public authorities for the promotion of territorial innovation. Territorial innovation networks exist in the participating regions of Andalusia, Saarland, Tuscany, Lower Styria and Essonne. The INOLINK project is led by RETA, the Andalusian Network of Technological Spaces, a regional innovation network set up in 2005 by the Regional Government of Andalusia, in Spain.

The INOLINK project will focus on the exchange and identification of good practices on the regional diffusion of technology, and on the dissemination of the generated knowledge throughout the EU and among the regional stakeholders in the partner regions. For this purpose, study visits to regions with good practices will be organised, as well as several workshops and two project conferences.
The partners will develop a coordinated survey on the regional needs for innovation in peripheral areas, traditional sectors and SMEs. A Report on Good Practices on Regional Diffusion of Innovation and a Guide for the setting up and operation of a regional innovation network will be elaborated. 

As a result of the process of mutual learning and collective debate and reflection, each partner will elaborate a Regional Improvement Plan, with recommendations for the practical implementation of the learned good practices in its regional context. 

The INOLINK project expects to result on the transfer of good practices between the participation regions, and on the improvement of skills and competences of staff in charge of the definition and implementation of innovation policies in all participating regions. The INOLINK project also expects contributing to the generation of common EU knowledge on innovation policy through interregional cooperation.