Boosting Smart Regional Innovation Ecosystems

Project Information

BOOST

Grant agreement ID: 101070737

DOI

10.3030/101070737

Project closed

EC signature date 24 May 2022

Start date 1 June 2022

End date 31 May 2024

Funded under

• European innovation ecosystems

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 499 968,00

Coordinated by

ASOCIATIA TRANSILVANIA IT
Romania

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - BOOST (Boosting Smart Regional Innovation Ecosystems)

Reporting period: 2023-06-01 to 2024-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Project BOOST is a collaborative effort among six organizations from five European countries aimed at boosting collaboration in the fields of Industry 4.0 Cleantech and Green Transition, Health & Well-being, and ICT & Digital Transformation. The project focuses on developing an efficient Interregional Collaboration Framework and Collaboration Corridor to enhance innovation ecosystems. The consortium comprises organizations from both moderate/modest and lead innovator countries, building on existing foundations of collaboration while addressing common regional innovation priorities.

The main objective of project BOOST is to increase the efficiency of interregional collaboration among partners and their respective regional innovation ecosystems. It seeks to achieve this by designing a structural Interregional Collaboration Framework (ICF) and developing tools and mechanisms for operationalizing the Collaboration Corridor. The project aims to consolidate and accelerate the transition towards Green and Digital Regional development models by aligning with existing policies, funding opportunities, and strategies. Furthermore, it aims to enhance the capacities of local innovation ecosystems, particularly for start-ups, SMEs, and the public sector.

BOOST anticipates several impacts. Firstly, it aims to increase the interregional collaboration level among project partners, progressing from informal to more structured collaboration models. This will be achieved through a comprehensive process that maps and engages a critical mass of innovation actors and stakeholders from partner ecosystems. The project also envisions the creation of a common vision, mission, and strategic direction for Smart Regions, scalable at the European level, while aligning with regional, national, and European policies and funding opportunities. By addressing the key thematic areas of Industry 4.0 Cleantech, Health & Well-being, and ICT & Digital Transformation, Project BOOST seeks to contribute to the EU's priorities for the next decade, such as digital transformation, green/sustainable solutions, and a fair and inclusive transition towards a carbon-free economy.

In summary, project BOOST's context revolves around fostering collaboration among European innovation ecosystems, addressing common regional innovation priorities. Its objectives encompass the design of an Interregional Collaboration Framework, increasing collaboration levels, and developing a comprehensive action plan. The project's expected impact includes enhanced efficiency in collaboration, consolidation of Green and Digital Regional development models, and alignment with EU priorities for a sustainable and inclusive future.

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

In the implementation period between M13 and M24, the activities have focused on identifying the interregional collaboration existing and desired levels (T2.3) then on building the corridor collaboration infrastructure through joint culture, participation mechanisms, governance structure and funding model (WP3). We then kicked off the action planning stage with an Innovation Camp hosted in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, that brought together representatives of the partners' ecosystems in an event that generated the structure of the action plan, validating also relevant models of efficient collaboration for innovation at European level. Networking as a Service was a concept derived from the Camp, that emphasized the importance of networking and building trust among stakeholders from different EU regions, before committing to more complex collaboration projects. The action plan was developed in time through a collaborative approach by the partners and validated through an online matchmaking event that saw about 80 participants set over 100 one-on-one meetings to discuss potential collaboration opportunities.
We therefore consider that the initial activities plan has been qualitatively executed, expected results reached and positive impact lines that will favor the development of future collaboration projects between the partners' innovation ecosystems and others at European level as well, as demonstrated by the funding proposals submitted to the EC and which are underway currently.

One of the main outcomes of the project is that the partner organizations managed to (1) build trust and (2) a flexible, AGILE work structure that identified existing collaboration opportunities and further committed to scoping for upcoming opportunities. The core management team from Transilvania IT Cluster, NW RDA, BBF, CLDI and Vejle Kommune will dedicate at least 8h/month during the first 12 months following the implementation period to have coordination meetings on a quarterly basis, organize online matchmaking events with a bi-annual recurrence and identify further on-site potential business missions across the regions represented in the project.
Project BOOST’s Action Plan is the main output from the implementation period. The project partners have developed a structural collaboration framework through activities designed to foster mutual understanding, engage stakeholders from their regional innovation ecosystems, and align cultures and mindsets to facilitate European and interregional collaboration on innovation projects. The success of the action plan hinges on each partner's in-depth knowledge of their ecosystem's capabilities, innovation actors, policies, and strategies. Spanning a 5-year time frame, the Action Plan is divided into two distinct phases. Phase one involves a tactical 12-month set of actions where partners commit to involving other innovation stakeholders from their regional ecosystems in collaborative projects. Phase two adopts a strategic approach over the remaining 2 to 5 years, building on the positive results from phase one. This phase focuses on developing governance models, participation, and funding mechanisms while continuing and scaling core activities from phase one.

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 BOOST project has successfully established a foundation for enhanced interregional collaboration among its partners. Key achievements include:
- Shared Vision and Mission: The creation of a shared vision and mission has provided a clear direction for collaboration.
- Trust Building: Strong relationships and trust have been fostered among partners.
- Stakeholder Engagement: A participatory approach has involved a wide range of stakeholders in the project.
- Action Plan Development: A comprehensive action plan outlines the path forward for collaboration.

The project has generated significant positive impacts during the implementation period, namely:
- strengthened Innovation Ecosystems by fostering corridor collaboration
- the project's focus on trust-building and knowledge sharing among the project partners and other actors from their regional innovation ecosystem
- increasing the number and success rate of collaborative projects among the regions innovation stakeholders