METACITIES prioritizes inclusivity through Living Labs, alongside Working Groups that refine ideas, expanding the Penta-Helix model to include social entrepreneurs. The process involves regional engagement events, FAIR data principles, and an inclusive approach, targeting public and private sectors, universities, and civic society. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) measure the project's impact, focusing on ecosystem engagement, inclusion and diversity, and Joint Action Plan performance. METACITIES aligns with Smart Specialization Strategies to reduce territorial inequalities, enhance collaboration, and promote gender equality in innovation ecosystems.
The project targets diverse groups in dissemination, exploitation, and communication activities, aiming to position the Baltic Sea Region as a leading Connected MetaCity region.
The project process carried the four themes of the main objective through the different tasks in the following work packages:
• WP2: collecting and analysing the knowledge base (data, ecosystem opinions) in each region
• WP3: through a wide penta-helix stakeholder involvement in co-identification, co-ideation and co-design of opportunities, supported by theme-specific cross-regional Working Groups, as a basis for the final output of the METACITIES project; the BSR joint action plan.
• WP4: responsible for narrowing down the joint action plan focus through decisions on prioritization and co-funding and devising the actual plan document, to be then quickly implemented in the post–project activities.
Deliverables: Project Handbook (WP1), D&E&C Plan (WP1), MetaCity Knowledge Base (WP2), Opportunities Catalogue (WP3), Joint Action Plan (WP4).
Milestones: Stakeholders Engaged (WP2, M3), Co-funding Secured (WP4, M10), Cross-Regional Funding (WP4, M10), JAP Launch (WP4, M10).
