As part of supporting the internationalization of the region, a three-day professional internship took place in Brussels at the end of September 2023, which was attended by ICUK director Martin Mata and strategy manager Lucie Podrápská. Together with other selected innovation centers from the Czech Republic (Jihomoravské inovační centrum/INTEMAC as and Olomouc Region Innovation Center) they participated in this interesting activity aimed at supporting innovation. 

It was the first internship of this kind for employees of innovation centers and innovation infrastructures in the Czech Republic, which was organized by CZELO (Czech Liaison Office for Education and Research in Brussels). As part of the internship, there was a presentation of CZELO activities in Brussels, a presentation of selected programs in the field of education and research, the New European Bauhaus initiative and opportunities for cooperation. Several meetings were held with representatives of European innovation agendas, e.g. EISMEA, DG RTG, ERRIN, including the presentation of the Smart Specialization of Slovenia, as an example of good practice in the field of regional innovation strategies (RIS3).