About Where It All Happens – Territories in ACTION Podcast
Discover what place-based innovation is and how it could contribute to make territories grow. The "Where It All Happens" podcast, produced by the Joint Research Centre, takes you on a journey to vibrant cities and remarkable regions, exploring their stories, successes, and strategies for innovation. Through conversations with local leaders and experts, you'll learn how they're harnessing innovation to build a more sustainable, digital, and opportunity-rich future.
Where It All Happens: first results and new journeys
Can our regions lead their own transformation? In this episode, we heard Commissioner Jessika Roswall and Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera speak about the power of joining forces in territorial innovation, while MEP Lina Gálvez points to what's still needed for a lasting change. We also look ahead to new exploratory journeys on water resilience and urban development, and hear real testimonies from Catalonia, Ostrobothnia and Banska Bystrica.
15 Mar 2026
Where It All Happens: reimagining living spaces
Can our homes and neighbourhoods be transformed for better life quality? The New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative aims to bring together sustainability, inclusion, and beauty to reimagine the evolution of our living environments. In this episode, architect Bjarke Ingels, along with other NEB entrepreneurs, break down what the NEB truly represents. Sorcha Edwards, Secretary General of Housing Europe, guides us through the upcoming challenges regarding affordable housing, and we travel to Banská Bystrica, Slovakia, to discover how health can drive place-based transformation through the application of NEB principles.
15 Feb 2026
Where It All Happens: are we ready?
What do institutions mean when they refer to preparedness? Being ready for a pandemic, a natural disaster, a war...? Citizens are giving meaning to preparedness in their own ways, but Europe is transforming it into a long-term vision of anticipation. In this episode, Beatriz Rios, a journalist from the Brussels bubble, helps us understand what this recurrent word means. We hear from cybersecurity expert, María Aperador, who will decode the current digital threats. And, last but not least, we travel to Andalucía, Spain, and Podkarpackie, Poland, to discover how territories are getting ready for future challenges.
20 Jan 2026
Where It All Happens: achieving circularity
Come along while we explore what circularity really means, why it matters and how is shaping Europe´s future.
We speak with Antonio Delre from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, who explains the difference between circularity and sustainability. We listen to Dalarna in Sweden and Normandy in France, where local actors share how circular approaches are helping transform industry and bring new life to the plastics sector. Finally, we travel to Sofia, Bulgaria, where representatives from different regions explain how the EU Preparatory Action is helping them turn their ideas into action.
18 Nov 2025
Where It All Happens: reducing reliance on fossil fuels
How are territories breaking free from fossil fuels towards a cleaner energy future? In this episode, we hear from climate activist Pauline Brünger and innovators in Norte Portugal, and Westland, Norway, as they share their experiences and insights on how activism, renewable energy and local innovation are steering regional decarbonization towards a greener, resilient, and competitive economy.
14 Oct 2025
Where It All Happens: digitalisation of public services
Join us as we dive into how public services in Europe are going digital. In this episode, a teacher in France and a social worker in Germany share their insights on how technology impacts their daily work and what can be improved. We also explore the Southern Region of Ireland and Oulu, Finland—areas that aim to make public services smarter and more inclusive for everyone, including those in rural areas. Come along to discover territorial challenges and strategies on how place-based digital transformation could improve people's lives.
10 Sept 2025
Where It All Happens: food security
Every checkout beep reminds us of our assumption that food is always available. Yet, behind the shelves is a complex network of systems, policies, and people ensuring food remains accessible, affordable, and safe. In this episode, we examine food security as both a global issue and a territorial challenge. Our guest, Sara Roversi, founder and President of the Future Food Institute, shares her insights on innovation in the food system and the significant role that individuals play in this transition. Additionally, representatives from the Catalonia region and Malta governments share their insights on how they are employing innovation approaches to ensure food production and security.
14 Jul 2025
Where It All Happens: adapting to climate change
Where It All Happens: adapting to climate changeCome along for the ride as we explore how innovation is helping communities to not only survive but reimagine themselves in the face of the climate crisis. Our guest, Guittemarie Johansen, a zero waste expert, will remind us that climate resilience is not just a goal, but a collective effort. Additionally, representatives from the Spanish and Masovian (Poland) governments share their insights on how they are employing innovation approaches to adapt to climate change.
At the Joint Research Centre, our journey with 200 territories helps them use their own potential to innovate and learn from others to transform. This is what innovation for place-based transformation is all about.
9 Jun 2025
Where It All Happens: more digital, more competitive
Come along for the ride as we explore the digital transformation in industry and its impact on competitiveness. Our guests, Adolfo Morais, Deputy Regional Minister of Science from the Basque Country and Helin Yontar, an expert on AI education, share their insights on how digitalisation is changing the EU industry.
At the Joint Research Centre, our journey with 200 territories helps them use their own potential to innovate and learn from others to transform. This is what innovation for place-based transformation is all about.
28 Apr 2025
Where It All Happens: a journey for 200 territories
Come along for the ride as we explore vibrant cities and amazing regions. Listen to their stories and the paths they now take to build a future that’s more sustainable, more digital, and full of opportunity.
At the Joint Research Centre, we begin a journey in which 200 territories will use their own potential to innovate and learn from others to transform. This is what innovation for place-based transformation is all about.
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