Connecting regional innovation in Europe: Meet SERN’s Board of Directors
When we speak about European innovation, we often think of ecosystems around EU institutions or large hubs. But the real laboratories of innovation are regional: in community enterprise centres, urban transition projects, and local makerspaces where ideas are tested, adapted, and grounded in local societal needs.
At SERN, this regional perspective is not theoretical – it is what inspires all our work, and our Board of Directors reflects it.
The Board brings together experts who work daily within Europe’s local and regional ecosystems and navigate the challenges and opportunities that define innovation outside the usual big innovation hotspots.
From Ireland’s community enterprise infrastructure to Portugal’s circular transition work and digital fabrication initiatives in the Western Balkans, SERN’s Board reflects the diversity and strength of Europe’s regional innovation landscape: read on to meet them!
Strengthening Ireland’s Community Enterprise Ecosystem
Siobhán Finn brings over 30 years of leadership experience across community enterprise, social innovation and the commercial sector, including a decade as co-founder of a successful Irish SME. As Chief Executive Officer of the Community Enterprise Association Ireland (CEAI), she has strong expertise in strengthening regional innovation ecosystems.
With an M.Sc. in Management from Trinity College Dublin and qualifications in business innovation, marketing, and training, she combines strategic leadership and advocacy with a clear understanding of what local enterprises need to start, grow, and stay rooted in place.
Community enterprise centres are a vital infrastructure in Ireland, providing workspace, mentoring, training, and shared services which support start-ups, SMEs, and social enterprises while keeping economic value in towns and rural communities. Through CEAI’s network of over 120 centres supporting more than 3,500 businesses and 18,000 jobs, Siobhán advances stronger governance, quality standards, and diversified national and European funding that help hubs remain resilient over time. Through SERN, CEAI connects with peers across Europe to share good practice, build collaborations, and strengthen the regional voice in European innovation debates.
“Strengthening Ireland’s community enterprise ecosystem ensures that local hubs and centres remain sustainable and capable of supporting start-ups and social enterprises. Through European partnerships like SERN’s, regional experience is shared with European peers, reinforcing innovation across diverse territories.”
Driving Sustainable Regional Development in Portugal
Pedro Soutinho, Executive Director at CEDES – Association for Sustainable Development – in Portugal, represents another crucial dimension of regional ecosystems: connecting European strategy with local implementation. With over 20 years of experience in EU-funded projects, an MSc in Electrical and Computer Engineering, PMP certification, and ongoing PhD research in Territorial Planning, his work centres on urban ecosystems, regional development, and circular transition strategies.
As EU Lead Expert for URBACT, he has supported cities in designing and implementing action plans on urban security, rehabilitation, and resource efficiency.
Recently, he supported nine municipalities in reducing construction sector waste under Portugal’s Environmental Fund — a concrete example of how EU priorities such as sustainability and the Green Deal translate into measurable regional impact.
Through SERN, CEDES’ local expertise strengthens cross-border learning and enables regions to co-develop projects aligned with Europe’s long-term transformation goals.
“Advancing circular transition and resource efficiency strategies at regional and municipal level turns European sustainability priorities into concrete local action. Through European networks, regional expertise contributes to cross-border collaboration and shared innovation projects across Europe.”
Innovation from the ground up in Bosnia Herzegovina
Nerman Turkić brings hands-on engineering and manufacturing expertise from Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he co-founded Makerspace Garage Mostar — an innovation hub dedicated to digital fabrication, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education, and sustainable technologies.
With a background as a mechanical engineer, his work bridges industrial production and community-driven innovation. As CEO of the makerspace, he leads strategic planning, international cooperation, and programme delivery in 3D printing, robotics, CNC (computer numerical control) manufacturing, biomimicry (bio-inspired design), and rapid prototyping.
Beyond technology, his focus lies in ecosystem building: translating complex tools into accessible education formats, fostering youth engagement, and promoting circular economy principles, connecting creativity, sustainability, and local development.
For emerging innovation ecosystems, such initiatives are more than technical projects; they are foundational infrastructure for long-term growth. Through European connections via SERN, this experience contributes to a wider European dialogue on how smaller regions can position themselves as innovation actors.
“Strengthening digital fabrication and STEAM education ecosystems in the Western Balkans helps equip young people and entrepreneurs with future-ready skills. Through EU cooperation, local makerspaces and innovation hubs connect their experience to wider European innovation networks.”
Connecting Regions to Strengthen European Innovation
Across Ireland, Portugal and the Western Balkans, European innovation starts in its regions. Whether through community enterprise centres, municipal sustainability strategies, or makerspaces that open technology to younger generations, regional ecosystems shape Europe’s innovation capacity every day.
SERN’s goal is to bring these experiences into conversation with one another. By connecting practitioners who work on the ground, it helps ideas travel, partnerships form, and regions learn from each other — strengthening innovation where it matters most: locally.
