From Brussels with Collaboration: TECH.LAND at the European Week of Regions and Cities 2025

Each October, Brussels becomes the beating heart of European regional collaboration.
The European Week of Regions and Cities (EWRC) is where policymakers, researchers, innovators, and regional representatives come together to share visions for a more connected, resilient, and innovative Europe.

This year, TECH.LAND was proud to be part of that movement — showcasing how cross-border collaboration between the Netherlands and Germany can accelerate the green transition and strengthen Europe’s technology and innovation power.

Heroes and Hydrogen: TECH.LAND meets H₂EART

At the EWRC 2025, Hans Brouwers (TECH.LAND), Katharina Kampmann (Provincie Gelderland), Alexandra Arens and Nicky Eppich (Regio Achterhoek, 8RHK) and Bart Molenkamp (EU Public Affairs Advisor for Gemeente Enschede, Hengelo and Almelo) jointly organised the workshop:
“Heroes and Hydrogen: TECH.LAND meets H₂EART.” The session brought together cities, regions, companies, and experts to explore how hydrogen innovation and cross-border cooperation can become Europe’s blueprint for sustainable transformation.

The TECH.LAND Vision: Turning Borders into Connections

Hans Brouwers (TECH.LAND) opened the workshop by presenting the essence of TECH.LAND — what it is, why it exists, and the results already achieved after only a short period of collaboration.

His message resonated clearly across the room:

“Long-term strategic Dutch-German collaboration through TECH.LAND is transforming borders into connections — unlocking greater impact, competitiveness, and visibility for our shared region. The cross-border cooperation in hydrogen shows this in practice and highlights the importance of our TECH.LAND region in making the European energy transition happen.”

In just a short time, TECH.LAND has proven that collaboration is not an abstract concept, but a working model for regional growth and innovation in Europe’s core.

Hydrogen: A catalyst for Cross-Border Innovation

The workshop’s focus on hydrogen made one thing clear: the energy transition doesn’t stop at national borders.

Pia Aleithe (WiN Emscher-Lippe GmbH) showcased the thriving hydrogen ecosystem in Emscher-Lippe, where green hydrogen already fuels heavy industries and pioneering projects such as Climahafen Gelsenkirchen pave the way toward climate neutrality.
Dieter de Vroomen presented the H₂EART Hydrogen Valley Horizon proposal, a major step toward strengthening and accelerating the green hydrogen economy within the TECH.LAND region.
Wendy de Jong (Oost NL) underlined how connecting innovation, entrepreneurship, and funding mechanisms can scale sustainable impact across borders.
Delia Bonsignore (European Commission) emphasized how regional collaboration is a cornerstone of the EU’s strategy to strengthen industrial resilience and achieve the goals of the Green Deal.
Jan van Dellen (The Economic Board Regio Arnhem Nijmegen) and Katharina Kampmann (Provincie Gelderland) highlighted the importance of talent, regional innovation ecosystems, and strategic policy alignment for building a truly connected European innovation space.

Together, their insights reflected the European spirit of the event: cooperation as a driver for systemic change.

EWRC Highlights: Think East Netherlands & SEMICON Networking

During the EWRC, the East Netherlands delegation showcased its strengths in energy, semiconductors, and defence innovation, united under the Think East Netherlands network.

At the EU Masterclass addressing chances for cooperation in the area of defence and innovation, experts made clear that cross-border collaboration like TECH.LAND has special interest from EU Brussels.

Later, during the East Netherlands SEMICON networking dinner, with Victor Jan Leurs (Twente Board) and Jan van Dellen (Economic Board Regio Arnhem Nijmegen), participants highlighted the strategic value of the regional semiconductor ecosystem for Europe’s industrial future.

A Best Practice for Cross-Border Collaboration

It was inspiring to see how TECH.LAND is increasingly embraced by regional and European partners.
As a true best practice for cross-border collaboration, TECH.LAND shows that when regions combine their talent, technology, and strategic vision, they become stronger together — economically, scientifically, and politically.

By joining forces within the TECH.LAND ecosystem, we:

boost competitiveness,
accelerate technological innovation, and
enhance our visibility and impact not only in Brussels, but also in The Hague, Düsseldorf, Berlin, and beyond.

Collaboration isn’t just our Method – It is Europe’s Future

Leaving Brussels, one message stood out clearly: the future of Europe depends on its ability to collaborate across borders.
For TECH.LAND, this means continuing to build bridges — between people, institutions, and ideas.