Connecting territories, industry, and EU policies for critical raw materials, bridging two European programming periods: a general framework

Critical Raw Materials (CRM) are vital to Europe’s industrial competitiveness, resilience, and strategic autonomy. Building on the I3 project CLOSER, this initiative explores how European policies, regional innovation ecosystems, and industrial value chains can collaborate to meet the objectives of the Critical Raw Materials Act and the Chips Act. Ahead of the next EU programming period, two complementary roundtables connect policy and industrial viewpoints to address priorities, needs, and future cooperation opportunities.

Program

10.00 Room opening and arrival of participants

10.30 Institutional greetings and opening remarks 
Federico Capucci, CLUST-ER MECH Manager
Roberto Ricci Mingani, Director General for Economic Development, Tourism and Culture - Emilia-Romagna Region

10.45 Roundtable 1 - From European strategies to regional action: shaping the next programming period
This session gathers EU institutions and regional authorities to discuss translating CRM priorities into effective territorial policies and funding instruments. Drawing on the current I3 programming cycle, the panel examines how interregional cooperation and regional innovation ecosystems can deliver EU industrial goals, identifying lessons learned, policy gaps, and priorities for the upcoming programming period.

Speakers:
Tomislav Pinter, Seconded National Expert at DG REGIO, European Commission
Salvatore Siviglia, Director General, Department for Territory and Environmental Protection - Calabria Region
Alberto Castronovo, Head of the Internationalisation Unit - Office of the Minister for Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT)
Simone Bigaran, ALPIS (Alliance Piedmont Industries for Semiconductors)

12.00 Roundtable 2 - From strategic priorities to industrial value chains: needs, opportunities and cooperation 
Focusing on the industrial ecosystem—from recovery and recycling to downstream end-users—this panel addresses the practical hurdles of securing, recycling, and valorising CRM. Businesses and regional policymakers will discuss technological gaps, investment barriers, market conditions, and circular supply chains to align industrial needs with regional capabilities and EU strategy.

Moderator: 
Francesca Nanni, University of Rome Tor Vergata

Speakers:
Daniela Sani, Senior Project Manager, ART-ER
Caterina Loddo, Head of Innovation, Start-ups and Industrial Areas, Calabria Region, Economic Development Directorate

Companies connected to the value chain:
Francesco Scavone Leonardo S.p.A. (electronics division)
Fabio Isabella, Ecosistem (SUEZ)
Federico Foschini, HERA

Italian-language event with subtitles and simultaneous translation in English.