How can European and local government policy accelerate transitions such as the energy transition, aiming for a circular economy and more? Most transitions require collaboration in innovation projects with different stakeholders such as industry, government, knowledge institutes and citizens, and here, local and regional governments play a key role in both upscaling and reaching out to the European citizens.  On Wednesday 18 October 2017, the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area and the Amsterdam Economic Board invites you to join in on a discussion on these themes at the event "How to scale up innovation projects to create societal transitions?" We are pleased to announce that ERRIN Director, Pirita Lindholm, will sit on one of the panels, to discuss how to best combine regional and European policy for potential upscaling. Sign up by following the link above.   PROGRAMME 13.30- 14.15 // Welcome with coffee & tea 14.15 Opening by moderators Dennis Straat (Alderman Zaanstad & Member Amsterdam Economic Board) and Audrie van Veen (European Strategic Advisor Amsterdam Economic Board) 14.20 Welcome by Ronald van Roeden, Dep. Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the EU 14.30 Introduction Amsterdam Metropolitan Area: an innovative region by Kajsa Ollongren (Vice-Mayor Amsterdam, Chair Amsterdam Metropolitan Area and Member Amsterdam Economic Board)  14.40 Research results: analysis of business models and upscaling of public private projects - Willem van Winden (Professor Knowledge Economy, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences) 15.00 Europe and Upscaling - co-referent: Robert Schröder (Cabinet of Commissioner Moedas, Research & Innovation) - followed by interaction at audience tables 15.30 Coffee / Tea break 15.45 Circular Economy Ambitions from a regional and an entrepreneurial perspective – interview with John Nederstigt (Alderman of Haarlemmermeer and Amsterdam Economic Board Member for Circular Economy) and Ad van Vugt (Exter) 16.00 Digital Connectivity Ambitions from a regional and an entrepreneurial perspective – interview with Franc Weerwind (Mayor of Almere and Amsterdam Economic Board Member for Digital Connectivity) and Ivar Diekerhof (Wikihouse) - followed by interaction at audience tables 16.30 Panel discussion: how to combine regional and European policy for upscaling? Anne-Marie Sassen (Digital Innovation Hubs, European Commission), Pirita Lindholm (Director ERRIN), Representative Copenhagen region (tbc), Kajsa Ollongren (Vice-Mayor Amsterdam) 17.00 Wrap-up by Nina Tellegen (Director Amsterdam Economic Board) and Dennis Straat (Alderman Zaanstad & Member Amsterdam Economic Board) 17.10 – 18.30 Networking reception with drinks & bites