Collaborative Innovation: Boosting the Attractiveness and Competitiveness of Tomorrow's Regions

In a context of constant digital, environmental, and societal change, territories are called upon to enhance their attractiveness, competitiveness, and sustainability. Collaborative innovation is emerging as a key strategic approach that reconfigures local development trajectories by mobilizing the collective intelligence of diverse actors. Drawing on open innovation, social innovation, and territorial intelligence, this study examines how cooperation among public institutions, private actors, academia, and citizens can strengthen a territory’s capacity to innovate, differentiate, and adapt. A qualitative approach is adopted through an in-depth case study of the Souss-Massa region in Morocco, which has implemented collaborative innovation mechanisms such as third places, living labs, and participatory projects. Semi- structured interviews with elected officials, institutional managers, entrepreneurs, association members, and innovation facilitators were analyzed inductively to identify triggers, obstacles, and impacts of collaborative initiatives on territorial attractiveness and local economic dynamics. Findings indicate that collaborative innovation goes beyond leveraging local resources: it fosters resilience, supports co-construction and experimentation, strengthens territorial identity, structures innovation ecosystems, and promotes inclusive governance. Its effectiveness depends on robust coordination mechanisms, assertive leadership, and a culture of sustained cooperation. The study is presented in three parts: the first revisits the theoretical foundations of collaborative innovation and its role in territorial dynamics; the second details the methodology and the Souss-Massa case study; and the third discusses the main empirical findings, highlighting best practices, measurable effects on territorial attractiveness and competitiveness, and encountered limitations.