14/06/2023 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 14 June, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) announced the launch of its first joint cluster in Skopje, North Macedonia. The new centre is part of the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (EIT RIS) programme, which aims to close the innovation gap in Europe and encourage competitiveness and sustainable economic growth in the region. The cluster aims to stimulate connections between stakeholders in the innovation ecosystems of the Western Balkans and to foster cooperation between leading companies and education and research organisations. The EIT plans to open other clusters over the next 3 years and will announce calls for the creation of similar innovation clusters in Cyprus, Malta, Montenegro and Ukraine at its Information Day on 27 June in Nicosia (Cyprus). (EV)