ECON seminar in Valencia: Europe’s industrial future must be built in its regions and municipalities

On 23 October 2026, EA Group members of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), including Tadeusz Truskolaski, ECON Second Vice-Chair; René Jansen, EA Group Coordinator for ECON; Adam Banaszak; and Mirosław Lech, took part in an ECON seminar in Valencia, Spain, dedicated to strengthening regional industrial ecosystems and promoting Europe’s industrial resilience.

The seminar explored how European industrial policy can better reflect regional realities and support reindustrialisation through effective cooperation between the EU, Member States, regions and municipalities. Discussions underlined the importance of ensuring that industrial growth reduces territorial inequalities while strengthening Europe’s competitiveness and economic resilience.

A central focus was the role of place-based solutions in fostering innovation, developing regional supply chains, attracting investment and connecting large industrial projects with SMEs and local suppliers. Participants also examined how local and regional authorities can support skills development, economic diversification and access to clean energy to respond to the challenges of industrial transformation.

The seminar highlighted that Europe’s industrial competitiveness depends on strong regional ecosystems and the active involvement of local and regional authorities. A territorial approach to industrial policy is essential to ensure that the benefits of reindustrialisation reach all regions, including those facing structural challenges, and that Europe’s industrial transition delivers sustainable growth and cohesion.