European industrial regions are rapidly evolving due to global economic and policy demands. Non-metropolitan areas, in particular, must adapt by fostering “future skills,” such as creativity and collaboration, which are vital for resilience. The x-Inno Radar project addresses the European Skills Agenda 2020 by promoting these soft skills in industrial contexts.
To strengthen our knowledge on soft skills and gather different perspectives and inspirations within and beyond the project, we have developed a format called „Inspired by“.
We warmly invite you to our second open session called Inspired by: Soft Skills in Peripheral Regions. Together with two experts in regional innovation, we will explore how anchoring soft skills alongside deep tech capabilities can empower industrial regions and communities. Drawing on insights from peripherally located regions, our discussion will highlight the crucial complementarity of hard and soft skills.
What to expect?
- Showcases by experts
- Giulio Buciuni, Associate Professor, Trinity Business School (Dublin): His talk draws on recent research on innovation in second-tier cities — including a case study of Galway, in the remote Atlantic Coast of Ireland — to examine how soft skills such as communication, collaboration, and adaptability enable entrepreneurship and cross-sector cooperation in peripheral regions. These capabilities are essential for building trust, bridging institutional gaps, and activating local resources. However, soft skills alone are not sufficient. Their impact depends on being matched with relevant technical and managerial competencies. Effective regional innovation strategies require this alignment between human, technical, and organizational assets, especially outside major urban hubs.
- Alexandra Matiová, CIKE: as a representative of x-Inno Radar partner organization CIKE (Creative Industry Košice), Alex will share practical insights and hands-on experience from Slovakia – offering a complementary perspective from the field. The presentation will introduce how Creative Industry Košice has evolved as a “second city” actor within the innovation ecosystem, with a strong foundation in supporting cultural and creative industries through cross-sector collaboration. It will reflect on the organization’s early efforts to connect creativity with business and how this approach has expanded to address broader societal themes. I plan to present concrete projects and activities that enabled to bring innovations especially in the field of city development, sustainability, and participatory innovation in cooperation with both public and private stakeholders.
- Interactive discussion
Join the conversation with your questions and insights. Together, we’ll explore key findings, lessons learned, and region-specific connections. - Takeaways for industry & beyond
Discover fresh perspectives on leveraging soft skills across creative industries in peripheral regions and beyond.
Who should attend?
- x-Inno Radar partners & associated partners
- Anyone interested in soft skills & industrial innovation
Why attend?
- Get inspired by concrete approaches to strengthening soft skills in innovation ecosystems – especially in non-metropolitan regions.
- Learn from expert showcases on how soft and hard skills together can drive transformation in peripheral contexts.
- Connect with peers and potential collaborators working on regional development, skills strategies, and innovation support.
- Share and discuss current and future project opportunities within your region or network.
How to attend?
- Register here: Inspired by: Soft Skills in Peripheral Regions
- Get the link: After your registration, we will send you the link for participation via email.
- Log in: The session will start on June 24, 2025 from 2:00pm until 3:30pm
Who are the speakers?
- Dr. Giulio Buciuni is Associate Professor, Trinity Business School (Dublin) and a specialist in entrepreneurship and innovation, with a strong focus on how local ecosystems evolve and foster sustainable growth. He works closely with policymakers and communities to activate innovation potential outside urban centers.
- Alexandra Matiová is Senior Project Manager at Creative Industry Košice with over a decade of experience in managing educational and development programs in the cultural and creative industries (CCIs), with a strong focus on cross-sector collaboration. She leads international projects supporting education, mobilities, urban development, and sustainability, and has worked extensively with various EU funding schemes.
Boosting industrial transition by activating soft innovation skills and stimulating pioneer spirit
Industrial regions in central Europe are amidst a heavy transformation of their economic and social base. It is especially the non-metropolitan regions who must change profoundly in response to global economic trends, political demands, and structural disadvantages. The x-Inno Radar project increases their agility and innovativeness by strengthening soft skills. The partners jointly apply a new place-based approach, which centers around transversal skills, maker skills, and pioneer skills. After regional screenings and a conceptualisation phase, they pilot novel approaches for strengthening and expanding soft skills capacities. Key findings are then transferred to relevant stakeholders throughout Europe.
