Periodic Reporting for period 2 - INVEST4EXCELLENCE (Invest for Excellence in Regional Sustainability)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2023-04-01 do 2024-09-30
The thematic focus of the INVEST EU Alliance is in sustainable regional development. INVEST4EXCELLENCE (I4E) overall objective is to develop an integrated long-term joint strategy on research and innovation in line with the education strategies from the INVEST EU University Alliance. Within its specific objectives, I4E is creating the background for the development and implementation of R&I ideas through model development for institutional transformation at R&I dimension; developing of European Innovation Ecosystem for Academia-Business & Society; developing of Capacity Building Tools; and implementing and promoting the I-EDUC8EU tool.
In terms of importance for society, I4E represents the extension of INVEST EU Alliance´s activities towards regional sustainability in 3 main focal areas (in line with EU Green Deal and the SDG principles) – Water, energy, food and environment nexus, Quality of life and Entrepreneurship – into the R&I transformation modules. It emphasizes the preservation of complementarity and coherence between these focal areas and selected SDGs as the response to the needs of the new generation as the leader in introducing the sustainable life. Engaging the main actors in the regions is the precondition for bringing the innovation into regions.
As a conclusion, I4E successfully developed R&I strategies aligned with the educational goals of the INVEST EU University Alliance, prioritizing sustainable development as a global challenge. The project emphasized institutional transformation, capacity building, and the creation of a European Innovation Ecosystem linking academia, business, and society. The project analysed institutional adaptation, supporting the transformation of R&I systems across the alliance. I4E actively involved stakeholders from civil society, local enterprises, public authorities, HEIs and NGOs to integrate R&I into regional development. Tools like I-EDUC8EU and thematic dialogue methods were developed to enhance stakeholder engagement and innovation dissemination.
In terms of importance for society, I4E represents the extension of INVEST EU Alliance´s activities towards regional sustainability in 3 main focal areas (in line with EU Green Deal and the SDG principles) – Water, energy, food and environment nexus, Quality of life and Entrepreneurship – into the R&I transformation modules. It emphasizes the preservation of complementarity and coherence between these focal areas and selected SDGs as the response to the needs of the new generation as the leader in introducing the sustainable life. Engaging the main actors in the regions is the precondition for bringing the innovation into regions.
As a conclusion, I4E successfully developed R&I strategies aligned with the educational goals of the INVEST EU University Alliance, prioritizing sustainable development as a global challenge. The project emphasized institutional transformation, capacity building, and the creation of a European Innovation Ecosystem linking academia, business, and society. The project analysed institutional adaptation, supporting the transformation of R&I systems across the alliance. I4E actively involved stakeholders from civil society, local enterprises, public authorities, HEIs and NGOs to integrate R&I into regional development. Tools like I-EDUC8EU and thematic dialogue methods were developed to enhance stakeholder engagement and innovation dissemination.
The activities in RP02 smoothly followed the achievements from the RP01. During RP02, key tasks and deliverables for institutional transformation strategies were successfully implemented. Significant progress included active partner participation in project activities, knowledge exchange, joint research, and stakeholder engagement through Living Labs. Tangible outputs included the development of the I4E R&I Strategy, defining the INVEST mission, vision, goals, and actions, along with a common R&I agenda and a roadmap for achieving the INVEST vision by 2030.
The I4E Internationalization Strategy provided a framework for enhancing transnational R&I activities and fostered collaboration through the SCIENCE4REGIONS network, aiming to attract new member universities and ensure sustainability. Substantial advancements in RDI capacity were achieved through stakeholder engagement, competency mapping, and the creation of Open Science (OS) training materials and tools. The RDI matrix highlighted key competencies in sustainability and informed stakeholder tools, offering insights into regional and institutional perspectives. Practical tools for stakeholder involvement and RDI online training were also developed, supporting effective implementation of frameworks and methods. By the end of RP02, all deliverables were submitted and tasks completed.
In dissemination, the following activities have been carried out throughout the whole project:
organisation of a conference (5); organisation of a workshop (20); press releases (10); popularised publications (10); exhibitions (6); flyers (5); trainings (7); TV spot (1); participation to conferences (31); participations to workshops (6); participation to other events (20); video (1); participation in activities organised jointly with other EU projects (8); and other events (27) with I4E dissemination.
Project was also presented via social media, newsletters and regularly updated website.
INVEST4EXCELLENCE achieved a robust scholarly output, including 49 conference publications, 29 journal publications, and 11 other types of publications. These outputs reflect a broad dissemination strategy across high-impact academic channels and targeted industry events. Of these publications, five are joint efforts among multiple partner universities, showcasing the collaborative nature of the consortium and its commitment to shared academic objectives.
The I4E Internationalization Strategy provided a framework for enhancing transnational R&I activities and fostered collaboration through the SCIENCE4REGIONS network, aiming to attract new member universities and ensure sustainability. Substantial advancements in RDI capacity were achieved through stakeholder engagement, competency mapping, and the creation of Open Science (OS) training materials and tools. The RDI matrix highlighted key competencies in sustainability and informed stakeholder tools, offering insights into regional and institutional perspectives. Practical tools for stakeholder involvement and RDI online training were also developed, supporting effective implementation of frameworks and methods. By the end of RP02, all deliverables were submitted and tasks completed.
In dissemination, the following activities have been carried out throughout the whole project:
organisation of a conference (5); organisation of a workshop (20); press releases (10); popularised publications (10); exhibitions (6); flyers (5); trainings (7); TV spot (1); participation to conferences (31); participations to workshops (6); participation to other events (20); video (1); participation in activities organised jointly with other EU projects (8); and other events (27) with I4E dissemination.
Project was also presented via social media, newsletters and regularly updated website.
INVEST4EXCELLENCE achieved a robust scholarly output, including 49 conference publications, 29 journal publications, and 11 other types of publications. These outputs reflect a broad dissemination strategy across high-impact academic channels and targeted industry events. Of these publications, five are joint efforts among multiple partner universities, showcasing the collaborative nature of the consortium and its commitment to shared academic objectives.
I4E has successfully achieved its objectives of enhancing regional sustainability through a combination of innovative research, education, and stakeholder engagement across diverse European regions. The main areas and progress beyond the state of the art can be summarized as follows:
• Enhanced Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange: The project achieved unprecedented levels of partner involvement, with active participation in joint research, knowledge sharing, and events such as conferences and seminars, contributing significantly to regional and academic collaboration.
• Cutting-Edge Academic Programs and Living Labs: I4E developed innovative academic programs focused on sustainability and established Living Labs as hubs for fostering regional development, advancing beyond traditional educational models.
• Effective Dissemination and Outreach: Through multimedia promotions, high-profile conferences, and academic publications, the project successfully engaged the academic community, policymakers, and stakeholders, setting a benchmark for impactful knowledge dissemination.
• Increased Scholarly Output: Performance metrics demonstrated a steady rise in journal and conference publications by partner universities, reflecting the project’s contribution to advancing academic research in sustainability.
• Sustainability and Long-Term Impact: The project emphasized result exploitation, ensuring its outcomes extend beyond completion, with a commitment to sustaining initiatives in higher education and regional development.
• Foundation for Future Innovations: The networks and lessons developed during the project established a robust framework for addressing global sustainability challenges, highlighting its progress beyond the state of the art in fostering collaborative innovation and regional transformation.
• Enhanced Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange: The project achieved unprecedented levels of partner involvement, with active participation in joint research, knowledge sharing, and events such as conferences and seminars, contributing significantly to regional and academic collaboration.
• Cutting-Edge Academic Programs and Living Labs: I4E developed innovative academic programs focused on sustainability and established Living Labs as hubs for fostering regional development, advancing beyond traditional educational models.
• Effective Dissemination and Outreach: Through multimedia promotions, high-profile conferences, and academic publications, the project successfully engaged the academic community, policymakers, and stakeholders, setting a benchmark for impactful knowledge dissemination.
• Increased Scholarly Output: Performance metrics demonstrated a steady rise in journal and conference publications by partner universities, reflecting the project’s contribution to advancing academic research in sustainability.
• Sustainability and Long-Term Impact: The project emphasized result exploitation, ensuring its outcomes extend beyond completion, with a commitment to sustaining initiatives in higher education and regional development.
• Foundation for Future Innovations: The networks and lessons developed during the project established a robust framework for addressing global sustainability challenges, highlighting its progress beyond the state of the art in fostering collaborative innovation and regional transformation.