European Network of Research and Innovation Centres and Hubs in Latin America and the Caribbean

Project Information

ENRICH in LAC

Grant agreement ID: 101004572

DOI

10.3030/101004572

Project closed

EC signature date 13 October 2020

Start date 1 January 2021

End date 31 December 2023

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Europe In A Changing World - Inclusive, Innovative And Reflective Societies

Total cost

€ 1 003 812,50

EU contribution

€ 1 003 812,50

Coordinated by

FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
Germany

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

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The ENRICH in LAC project targeted fostering stronger ties in science, technology, and innovation (STI) between Europe and the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) regions. It built on the groundwork laid by the earlier ENRICH in Brazil project, expanding its focus to include a wider array of LAC countries. The project aimed to catalyze cooperative innovation and enhance the capacity to address societal challenges on a global scale through the establishment of deep-rooted international partnerships.
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.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The project's activities were aimed at building a strong foundation for EU-LAC business collaboration. Through the extension of the ENRICH in LAC Center's operations towards LAC, the project successfully expanded its network, forming strategic partnerships with institutions across LAC and Europe, thereby broadening its reach and impact. Activities such as webinars, innovation talks, and training sessions were organized to address both specific thematic areas and horizontal themes, including the enhancement of international cooperation and innovation management. These efforts led to cultivating a diverse membership base that includes research institutions, business entities, and innovation hubs.
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.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The ENRICH in LAC project believed that a higher social welfare could be achieved through innovative measures on several fronts, from industrial and academic research to public policies and business management. With a consolidated innovation hub in Brazil and a solid outreach strategy, ENRICH was able to contribute not only to science, technology, and innovation progress in Latin America and the Caribbean but also to the fulfillment of the enormous potential of the region. This potential brought positive spillovers to other regions as well, especially Europe, through the partnerships created and consolidated inside the initiative, as in a positive sum game. Likewise, European countries were able to benefit from the excellence provided by LAC partners of all concerned sectors. Subsequently, this enabled the exchange of expertise and experience between LAC and other ENRICH centres, making the initiative even more global. In a world where the creation of knowledge increasingly happens on a global scale, and at an accelerating pace, ENRICH appeared prepared to overcome these challenges and contributed to the prosperity of all people directly or indirectly related to the project.
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.

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