Irish innovation and economic development experts played a pivotal role in the recent Peer Review on the establishment of an Open Innovation Hub in the Vidzeme Region, held at the Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences. The event, hosted by the Vidzeme Planning Region in collaboration with Interreg Europe’s Policy Learning Platform, brought together a diverse group of European stakeholders to discuss strategies for fostering a dynamic innovation ecosystem in rural regions. The Policy Learning Platform under Interreg Europe has proven to be an invaluable resource for local authorities, facilitating knowledge exchange and practical collaboration among regions facing similar challenges.