Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Cross-KIC RI (Cross-KIC Strategic Regional Innovations Cluster)
Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31
EIT Community SRI Cluster is a joint activity of several KICs, funded by the EIT, to implement cross- sectoral actions to boost innovation in Europe’s emerging economies, including those countries eligible for support under the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS), which are modest and moderate innovator countries, as well as other European emerging innovator countries, including all six Western Balkan economies, Moldova and Ukraine. The KICs that actively take part in the EIT Community SRI Cluster are:
• EIT Climate-KIC: Working to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon economy;
• EIT Digital: Driving Europe’s digital transformation;
• EIT Food: Leading a global revolution in food innovation and production;
• EIT Health: Giving EU citizens greater opportunities to enjoy a healthy life;
• EIT InnoEnergy: Achieving a sustainable energy future for Europe;
• EIT Manufacturing: Strengthening and increasing the competitiveness of Europe’s manufacturing industry;
• EIT RawMaterials: Developing raw materials into a major strength for Europe;
• EIT Urban Mobility: Smart, green and integrated transport.
The EIT Community SRI Cluster flagship activity is the EIT Jumpstarter – an award-winning pre- accelerator programme for young innovators in nine thematic fields: Digital, Food, Health, Innoenergy, Manufacturing, Raw Materials, Urban Mobility, New European Bauhaus and Rebuild Ukraine.
Another flagship initiative is EIT Red Kalyna, which aims to recognise outstanding Ukrainian female entrepreneurs who developed innovative products or solutions, or transformed their businesses into innovative ones. We also look for inspiring female leaders who mentor and guide others in innovation and entrepreneurship. Up to ten Ukrainian role models are inducted into the Red Kalyna Hall of Fame every year. The label “Red Kalyna by EIT Community” symbolises their strength and resilience.
In Western Balkans, EIT Infrabooster, a modular training programme is targeting representatives of scientific organisations that own research infrastructures. The programme offers capacity building and support in designing infrastructure-based services, enabling Participants to leverage their commercially relevant research infrastructures as well as the skills and knowledge of their research teams.
The SRI Cluster also responsible to set-up and coordinate EIT Community RIS Hubs in 22 countries.
• EIT Climate-KIC: Working to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon economy;
• EIT Digital: Driving Europe’s digital transformation;
• EIT Food: Leading a global revolution in food innovation and production;
• EIT Health: Giving EU citizens greater opportunities to enjoy a healthy life;
• EIT InnoEnergy: Achieving a sustainable energy future for Europe;
• EIT Manufacturing: Strengthening and increasing the competitiveness of Europe’s manufacturing industry;
• EIT RawMaterials: Developing raw materials into a major strength for Europe;
• EIT Urban Mobility: Smart, green and integrated transport.
The EIT Community SRI Cluster flagship activity is the EIT Jumpstarter – an award-winning pre- accelerator programme for young innovators in nine thematic fields: Digital, Food, Health, Innoenergy, Manufacturing, Raw Materials, Urban Mobility, New European Bauhaus and Rebuild Ukraine.
Another flagship initiative is EIT Red Kalyna, which aims to recognise outstanding Ukrainian female entrepreneurs who developed innovative products or solutions, or transformed their businesses into innovative ones. We also look for inspiring female leaders who mentor and guide others in innovation and entrepreneurship. Up to ten Ukrainian role models are inducted into the Red Kalyna Hall of Fame every year. The label “Red Kalyna by EIT Community” symbolises their strength and resilience.
In Western Balkans, EIT Infrabooster, a modular training programme is targeting representatives of scientific organisations that own research infrastructures. The programme offers capacity building and support in designing infrastructure-based services, enabling Participants to leverage their commercially relevant research infrastructures as well as the skills and knowledge of their research teams.
The SRI Cluster also responsible to set-up and coordinate EIT Community RIS Hubs in 22 countries.
Since 2017 – in the EIT Jumpstarter programme, 970 talents were trained, representing 43 nationalities, and 97 new start-ups along with 944 new jobs were created. The start-ups have attracted approximately 56M EUR of external funds and capital. The EIT Jumpstarter Grand Final in Athens, in November 2023, enticed approx. 200 people onsite and 1,500 views online. The media covered the event 199 times through articles, interviews and mentions in local and international media.
54 persons from 17 institutions graduated in the first edition of EIT InfraBooster program in Western Balkans, and two SystemBooster events were organized in North -Macedonia and Serbia, targeting innovation agencies and policy actors, resulting in a series of bilateral meetings with key actors.
In 2023 about 20% of the EIT Jumpstarter applicants originated from Ukraine, and 47 Ukrainian teams were selected into the Online Bootcamps. Apart from winners from Rebuild Ukraine category, a Ukrainian team won first prize in EIT Urban Mobility’'s category.
30 Ukrainian women were nominated in 2023’s EIT Red Kalyna call, out of which 9 remarkable individuals were inducted into the Red Kalyna Hall of Fame.
The first six EIT Community RIS Hubs in North Macedonia, Latvia, Montenegro, Malta, Cyprus, Ukraine were launched in 2023.
54 persons from 17 institutions graduated in the first edition of EIT InfraBooster program in Western Balkans, and two SystemBooster events were organized in North -Macedonia and Serbia, targeting innovation agencies and policy actors, resulting in a series of bilateral meetings with key actors.
In 2023 about 20% of the EIT Jumpstarter applicants originated from Ukraine, and 47 Ukrainian teams were selected into the Online Bootcamps. Apart from winners from Rebuild Ukraine category, a Ukrainian team won first prize in EIT Urban Mobility’'s category.
30 Ukrainian women were nominated in 2023’s EIT Red Kalyna call, out of which 9 remarkable individuals were inducted into the Red Kalyna Hall of Fame.
The first six EIT Community RIS Hubs in North Macedonia, Latvia, Montenegro, Malta, Cyprus, Ukraine were launched in 2023.