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The European Commission has published the latest edition of the 2025 European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS), confirming a positive long-term trend in the EU’s innovation capacity. Since 2018, the European Union’s innovation performance has grown by 12.6%, reflecting efforts to strengthen R&D ecosystems, promote public-private collaboration, and accelerate digitalization. 

Although the most recent data show a slight slowdown (with an average decline of 0.4 points between 2024 and 2025), the overall outlook remains positive. All Member States have improved since 2018, with especially notable progress in key countries such as Spain, Belgium, Italy, Germany, and Portugal, where innovation ecosystems have continued to strengthen alongside a sustained commitment to public-private collaboration and business-driven R&D. 

In Spain, several regions stand out for exceeding the European average: 

Catalonia, the Basque Country, Madrid, Navarre, and the Valencian Community, consolidating themselves as competitive innovation hubs at the European level. 

The 2025 Regional Innovation Scoreboard (RIS) presents a mixed but converging picture. Between 2018 and 2025, 233 out of 241 European regions improved their innovation performance, narrowing the gap between the most and least advanced areas. However, 82 regions recorded a decline between 2023 and 2025, highlighting a recent slowdown in some territories and underlining the need to reinforce policies that enhance competitiveness across all regions. 

The European Innovation Scoreboard is not just a statistical report; it is a strategic reference tool for guiding public policy, planning investments, and supporting business decision-making. Its integration into the New European Innovation Agenda further strengthens its strategic role, helping to reduce disparities among countries, promote collaboration, and accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. 

It also supports initiatives such as: 

1. The Competitiveness Compass. 
2. The Choose Europe campaign to attract investment and talent. 
3. The forthcoming EU Innovation Law, which will use these indicators to plan reforms and modernize national R&D&I systems. 

In a context of growing global competition and the urgent need for sustainable transformation, companies must take advantage of the funding and innovation incentives available. The strengthening of the European innovation ecosystem creates a favourable framework for: 

1. Accessing national and EU R&D&I funding. 
2. Collaborating with research centers and startups.
3. Developing innovative projects that enhance competitiveness. 

At FI Group, we have teams specialized in funding programs, offering comprehensive support that covers everything from idea conceptualization, project definition, to fostering collaborations and coordinating proposals.  

We accompany our clients throughout the entire project lifecycle, up to the final closure by the administration, including: 

1. Preparation of funding proposals. 
2. Interaction with institutions. 
3. Dossier management. 
4. Project justification. 
5. Audit support. 

We turn opportunities into tangible results. With a strong presence across Europe and deep expertise in EU funding programmes, we support businesses in identifying and securing resources for innovation-driven projects.  

If your organisation is looking to enhance its competitiveness through strategic innovation, explore how we can assist you via the EU Grants.  

Talk to our experts and turn your ideas into real impact: Request a Free Audit