Regional innovation and development in Europe have been driven by different strategies and policies. Some countries in Northern Europe like Germany and Denmark started early, while others joined later. National innovation programs have shifted towards focusing on regional specialization and clusters. This shift has led to tensions between innovative city-regions and central governments, with some regions pushing for more power during economic downturns. The study compares city-regions like Basque Country, Catalonia, and Lombardy to understand how devolution impacts innovation and competitiveness.