Periodic Reporting for period 2 - INTEGER (INTERCONNECTING 4 HELIX INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS IN EUROPEAN REGIONS)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2024-02-01 do 2025-01-31
The INTEGER4H -Interconnecting 4 Helix Innovation Ecosystems in European Regions- project has focused on the challenge-driven promotion of healthy living and wellbeing. It aimed to drive three key innovations for developing more robust, sustainable, inclusive, and integrative EU innovation ecosystems:
1. The INTEGER Quadruple Helix (4H) Collaboratory methodology MODEL to implement the next generation of living labs through the ‘Collaboratories’, "a labs sum".
2. An EU Healthy Living Collaboratory, a true network of networks’ community with capacity to work on real social, tech and business-driven projects, and
3. A new professional profile, the ‘collaber’ or ‘collaboratory manager’ as a multiplying agent of change of these integrated innovation ecosystems.
These three core INTEGER innovations were focused on driving breakthrough capabilities for the integration and impact of social innovation in EU innovation ecosystems and to:
1. Boost win-win proposals between business and social oriented innovations addressing common challenges.
2. Transform co-creation dynamics into disruptive and tangible new products, services or competencies.
3. Co-design jointly public innovation policies.
4. Develop capacity building training programs for the new generation of socio-digital entrepreneurs and ecosystems’ enablers, the collabers, and
5. Devise funding and investment mechanisms for social innovation start-ups and SMEs to develop and scale up game changing innovations.
The INTEGER approach envisioned accelerating and transforming integration by fostering local mission-driven synergies, groundbreaking coordination, and innovative governance models, seeking to establish new win-win collaborations while driving effective implementation, adoption, and exploitation of social and business innovation across European regions.
1. The INTEGER Quadruple Helix (4H) Collaboratory methodology MODEL to implement the next generation of living labs through the ‘Collaboratories’, "a labs sum".
2. An EU Healthy Living Collaboratory, a true network of networks’ community with capacity to work on real social, tech and business-driven projects, and
3. A new professional profile, the ‘collaber’ or ‘collaboratory manager’ as a multiplying agent of change of these integrated innovation ecosystems.
These three core INTEGER innovations were focused on driving breakthrough capabilities for the integration and impact of social innovation in EU innovation ecosystems and to:
1. Boost win-win proposals between business and social oriented innovations addressing common challenges.
2. Transform co-creation dynamics into disruptive and tangible new products, services or competencies.
3. Co-design jointly public innovation policies.
4. Develop capacity building training programs for the new generation of socio-digital entrepreneurs and ecosystems’ enablers, the collabers, and
5. Devise funding and investment mechanisms for social innovation start-ups and SMEs to develop and scale up game changing innovations.
The INTEGER approach envisioned accelerating and transforming integration by fostering local mission-driven synergies, groundbreaking coordination, and innovative governance models, seeking to establish new win-win collaborations while driving effective implementation, adoption, and exploitation of social and business innovation across European regions.
First, one of the main engagement points was the proposal of a methodological collaborative working model, finally defined by i2CAT team but co-created by both the INTEGER project partners and key stakeholders from the 4H across different regions. This model was developed based on the experiences gained from implementing the first draft and the various project activities.
Among all the activities that have been carried out, two are particularly noteworthy. On the one hand, the three regional Collaborathons as well as the grand finale have helped us spread the word about the project's activities and involve new agents from all areas. On the other hand, we created the INTEGER 4H EU Collaboratory on Health and Wellbeing with a protocolary signature from different actors and key entities from the social and innovation fields.
We also engaged key actors from the three participating pilot regions, energized their networks while connected them with other European regions through various participatory activities at both local and interregional levels. Additionally, we formed partnerships with other European projects focused on similar innovation and social impact goals, offering them our community and exploring opportunities for mutual benefit. This helps make the INTEGER community more attractive to other actors in social innovation.
To ensure effective community engagement and facilitation, we defined the role of Collaber (facilitator), acting as a multiplying agent of change. This role has been essential in integrating and managing the community, bridging innovation ecosystems, and coordinating efforts across stakeholders from business, academia, government, and civil society (the 4H model). It played a crucial part in ensuring the success of both social and technological innovations.
Finally, we launched and implemented a participatory digital community space for open innovation, fostering communication, co-creation, knowledge exchange, and collaboration. Participants recognized that they were part of an innovative community focused on social impact projects while also ensuring economic sustainability from a business perspective.
Among all the activities that have been carried out, two are particularly noteworthy. On the one hand, the three regional Collaborathons as well as the grand finale have helped us spread the word about the project's activities and involve new agents from all areas. On the other hand, we created the INTEGER 4H EU Collaboratory on Health and Wellbeing with a protocolary signature from different actors and key entities from the social and innovation fields.
We also engaged key actors from the three participating pilot regions, energized their networks while connected them with other European regions through various participatory activities at both local and interregional levels. Additionally, we formed partnerships with other European projects focused on similar innovation and social impact goals, offering them our community and exploring opportunities for mutual benefit. This helps make the INTEGER community more attractive to other actors in social innovation.
To ensure effective community engagement and facilitation, we defined the role of Collaber (facilitator), acting as a multiplying agent of change. This role has been essential in integrating and managing the community, bridging innovation ecosystems, and coordinating efforts across stakeholders from business, academia, government, and civil society (the 4H model). It played a crucial part in ensuring the success of both social and technological innovations.
Finally, we launched and implemented a participatory digital community space for open innovation, fostering communication, co-creation, knowledge exchange, and collaboration. Participants recognized that they were part of an innovative community focused on social impact projects while also ensuring economic sustainability from a business perspective.
Today there are many organizations implementing innovation that do not have a clear methodology, but while this is not a bad thing, they are building it on the fly and their own experience, and not being fully accompanied by other relevant and experienced actors or building a strong (and sector-focused) community around them.
The INTEGER Model is a key element that will allow multiple objectives, even beyond those initially envisioned. At the same time:
1. Attract them to participate in future collaborative activities,
2. Help them integrate it and adapt it on order to have their own methodology to apply to their organizations and members to be aligned with other local or interregional agents for a better understanding.
During the INTEGER project we held participatory co-creation sessions, among other purposes, to define and refine the collaborative INTEGER4H final Model, characterized by its scalability, flexibility, and adaptability. The proposed model, titled “Opening Our Innovation Ecosystems to All: The INTEGER Project Case Study,” was accepted for publication in MDPI Sustainability (https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/3/1164(odnośnik otworzy się w nowym oknie)) a Q2-ranked journal.
After two years, the INTEGER project has achieved the following:
1. Enhanced a lively 4H and social innovation active community.
2. Linked social innovations initiatives and proposals between different regions and members
3. Published the INTEGER proposal for the 4H collaborative methodology working model.
The INTEGER Model is a key element that will allow multiple objectives, even beyond those initially envisioned. At the same time:
1. Attract them to participate in future collaborative activities,
2. Help them integrate it and adapt it on order to have their own methodology to apply to their organizations and members to be aligned with other local or interregional agents for a better understanding.
During the INTEGER project we held participatory co-creation sessions, among other purposes, to define and refine the collaborative INTEGER4H final Model, characterized by its scalability, flexibility, and adaptability. The proposed model, titled “Opening Our Innovation Ecosystems to All: The INTEGER Project Case Study,” was accepted for publication in MDPI Sustainability (https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/3/1164(odnośnik otworzy się w nowym oknie)) a Q2-ranked journal.
After two years, the INTEGER project has achieved the following:
1. Enhanced a lively 4H and social innovation active community.
2. Linked social innovations initiatives and proposals between different regions and members
3. Published the INTEGER proposal for the 4H collaborative methodology working model.