Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ENRICH in LAC (European Network of Research and Innovation Centres and Hubs in Latin America and the Caribbean)
Reporting period: 2022-07-01 to 2023-12-31
Central to its mission, the project sought to create a robust network for EU-LAC STI actors, offering a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and extensive networking opportunities. A significant goal was to boost the profile and mutual recognition of European research and innovation across LAC, nurturing a reciprocal landscape of understanding and joint endeavor. Furthermore, the project endeavored to streamline the conditions for cross-continental research and innovation cooperation, aiming for more seamless and impactful collaborations.
As the project concluded, it had effectively mobilized a dynamic exchange network spanning Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The further development of the ENRICH in LAC Centre in São Paulo as a linchpin for this network underscored the project's success in driving EU-LAC collaborations through an array of memberships, partnerships, and active participation in diverse services and activities. The project's reach broadened significantly across the LAC region, touching upon vital thematic areas including health, bioeconomy, digital transformation, renewable energy, and sustainable urbanization.
The culmination of this 36-month project signifies a pivotal leap in achieving its objectives. It laid down a foundational framework for ongoing science, technology and innovation cooperation between Europe and the LAC region, heralding a new era of enhanced collaborative engagement and mutual growth in these fields.
Specific results achieved by the project include the recruitment of at least one partner organization in the four target LAC countries (Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay), and the recruitment of at least one partner organization in Central America and in the Caribbean. The project organized 13 webinars, six innovation talks, and offered six trainings for the business and research community, further enhancing knowledge sharing and capacity building.
Additionally, two innovation challenges were launched and two outreach grants were disseminated to foster international business collaboration and support entities looking to explore new markets. Furthermore, two innovation tours were organized, offering firsthand exposure to different innovation ecosystems and facilitating direct networking and partnership opportunities. Besides, other EU-projects were supported in the exploitation of their results, demonstrating the project's commitment to leveraging research outputs for broader impact. More than 15 Soft Landing Hubs (SLHs) were recruited in both EU and LAC, enhancing the infrastructure for international collaboration. In this context. three SLH Twinning Program were organized, strengthening the ties and cooperation among these hubs.
The independent non-profit association ENRICH in LAC Centre has become a lasting association, underscoring the project's commitment to enduring impact and laying a solid foundation for continuous growth and collaboration. The project has thus made significant strides toward fostering international business collaboration between Europe and the LAC region by establishing a dynamic network, facilitating knowledge exchange, and creating sustainable frameworks for cooperation. Moreover, the ENRICH in LAC project as a whole became more global by engaging with the European umbrella organization ENRICH Global.
ENRICH made a major contribution to encourage & facilitate the cooperation in science, technology, and innovation between Europe and LAC in several aspects:
- European and LAC STI actors acquired practical knowledge and detailed hands-on information about bilateral cooperation opportunities and supporting mechanisms along the internationalization journey.
- European STI and business actors now have access to a much broader and diverse networking opportunities, and cost-saving possibilities in the form of qualified and accredited soft-landing hubs.
- European and LAC STI actors have now a main hub and contact point that fosters and promotes STI cooperation between the two regions and navigates and raises awareness about topics of more importance to the European and LAC science, technology, and innovation cooperation.
As a conclusion, ENRICH created opportunities for research, innovation, and business as well as enhanced existing initiatives by stimulating demand and cooperation among private and public organizations.