The activities performed along the project followed closely what was envisaged in the work plan and supported the achievement of the project objectives upon the realization of concrete KPIs:
- To raise UÉVORA research profile by means of cutting-edge research with EU top-class partners: Beyond State-of-the-art know-how on Sol2H2O research field has been developed in Tasks 2.1 and 2.2 (Deliverable 2.1) grounding both the concept and engineering of a RI upgrade in Tasks 2.3 and 2.4 (Deliverable 2.2) but also the submission of four joint R&D proposals, as of the Proposal facility in Task 3.4;
- To raise the research, technical and administrative skills of UÉVORA staff: participation of technical staff in the Widening RI upgrade interface design (dimensioning, engineering), implementation of a project management framework (OpenProject and PM2) and capacitation of research staff in entrepreneurship by means of the Spin-Off facility and definition of a spin-off blueprint on the base of the upgraded RI services (5 spin-off seminars alongside ProMs #3 to #7, Spin-off facility support resources matrix; upgraded RI based pitch);
- To steer Career Building and attractiveness of Young Researchers to UÉVORA: development of Training, Tutoring and Mentoring of candidate and young researchers, with organization of 3 editions of a Fast-Track School and related training materials, as well as cross-partner tutoring and mentoring activities supported by ca 47 Person-Week of mobilities, engaging a total of 11 candidate researchers developing JRA related PhDs (2 at the Widening institution) (Deliverables 3.1 and 3.2) submission of 1 ERC Starting Grant by an engaged Young Researchers, as well as the promotion of networking by means of a mentoring program included in the Living Amenities platform (Task 3.4);
- To enhance the networking of UÉVORA in scientific and Industry fora: Enhancing the Widening participation profile in EDS (conference participation and membership), Water Europe (membership) and participation in IEA-SHC Task 72 on Solar Photoreactors for chemicals and fuels; organization of Symposium to Technology developers and technology off takers, with the engagement of such stakeholders in the Water-Energy Transition and Water-Energy Strategy Symposia, the participation in the Industrial Fair ENERH2O (Porto, Sept’25) and meetings with Portuguese stakeholders to discuss existing competencies and interests in Sol2H2O JRA topics and the possibility of creating a national desalination association.
The execution of the project excelled in a number of KPIs, distributed by all the project objectives, leaving a lasting impact at the Widening institution in all the dimensions foreseen in the project: increased number of research proposals with international consortia engaging industry; increased number of industry service proposals; increased range of RI services; new project management capabilities; increased human capacitation among technicians and researchers - especially young researchers; enlarged networking with new participation in international fora; widened dissemination of scientific results, RI assets and R&D strategy at regional, national and international levels.
