The LASTING project fully achieved its main objectives, as described in the DoA, notably:
1. To develop a communication strategy for European waterborne transport RD&I projects to enhance their impact. This strategy is a so-called playbook, which is available on the website of the project (integrated in the website of the Waterborne Technology Platform);
2. To identify information gaps concerning innovation needs, awareness of outcomes and opportunities for participation at European waterborne transport partners who do not or hardly participate in RD&I projects, leading to 25% new potential research partners from the waterborne transport sector. In WP1, different deliverables have been delivered, which assess the information gaps concerning innovation needs; which map, understand, analyse and evaluate the research managed and information systems (e.g. CORIDS, TRIMIS, EIBIP, etc) used by waterborne transport stakeholders and; mapping and analysing RD&I funding opportunities at the European level for the waterborne transport stakeholders. These exercices not only laid the foundations for the communication strategy and campaign, but provided input to the development of the "Ship Financing Portal" as recently published by DG MOVE of the European Commission;
3. To build a stakeholder community of 20 strategic partners from the European waterborne transport sector. LASTING was able to build a stakeholder community of several strategic partners, which was formalised by the signature of an MoU in the framework of the Waterborne Days 2023. This stakeholder community is part of the legacy of LASTING, and the community is open for any new member to join
4. To test the communication strategy and campaign at 3 large European waterborne transport events. In the second reporting period, the highlight was the Waterborne Days 2023, based on the plug-an-play concept developed by LASTING, laying the foundations for a biennial event. Furthermore, LASTING participated to the SMM 2022, as well as the TRA editions 2022 and 2024, besides numerous national and regional events. The plug-and-play concept developed by LASTING will lay the foundations for future events.
5. To deliver the final product to Waterborne TP to take up the communication strategy and campaign after the completion of LASTING. The final Plan for Exploitation and Dissemination of Results was delivered at the end of the project, and all results of the LASTING project integrated on the project website. Furthermore, in terms of social media campaigns, events, and other outreach activities, the waterborne community is making use of the materials, playbook and plug-and-play concept as developed by LASTING.
