Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EMPOWEREDbyNEIA (Ecosystems Mapping and Planning through Open dialogue for Wider cooperation across EU Regions based on the Entrepreneurial Discovery)
Período documentado: 2024-01-01 hasta 2024-12-31
European innovation policies are implemented through diverse initiatives, each deploying distinct instruments and investments. While this fosters adaptability, fragmentation hampers policy coherence and efficiency, creating regional disparities. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the urgent need for better coordination, as European regions swiftly launched short-notice support initiatives for start-ups and SMEs, often leading to duplicated efforts and inconsistent policy frameworks.
To address these challenges, the New European Innovation Agenda (NEIA) was launched in July 2022, introducing a more integrated approach that aligns investments, policies, and instruments under five flagship initiatives: funding scale-ups, enabling innovation, strengthening ecosystems, fostering talent, and improving policy-making tools.
Aligned with NEIA, the EMPOWEREDbyNEIA initiative leverages regional strengths to drive systemic innovation at the European level, focusing on:
• Strengthening regional innovation ecosystems through collaboration networks.
• Interconnecting European innovation systems via long-term action plans.
• Aligning regional and European policies for coherent governance and economic growth.
The project, led by a consortium of seven partners from Italy, Austria, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Estonia, prioritizes Clean and Sustainable Tech innovation, aligning with EU priorities such as the Green Deal and digital transformation. Additionally, it addresses gender disparities in deep-tech, where only 10% of EU patents are filed by women, ensuring a more inclusive and equitable innovation ecosystem.
By establishing Joint Action Plans, the project aims to enhance policy alignment, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration mechanisms, driving long-term innovation-driven transformation across European regions.
To address these challenges, the New European Innovation Agenda (NEIA) was launched in July 2022, introducing a more integrated approach that aligns investments, policies, and instruments under five flagship initiatives: funding scale-ups, enabling innovation, strengthening ecosystems, fostering talent, and improving policy-making tools.
Aligned with NEIA, the EMPOWEREDbyNEIA initiative leverages regional strengths to drive systemic innovation at the European level, focusing on:
• Strengthening regional innovation ecosystems through collaboration networks.
• Interconnecting European innovation systems via long-term action plans.
• Aligning regional and European policies for coherent governance and economic growth.
The project, led by a consortium of seven partners from Italy, Austria, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Estonia, prioritizes Clean and Sustainable Tech innovation, aligning with EU priorities such as the Green Deal and digital transformation. Additionally, it addresses gender disparities in deep-tech, where only 10% of EU patents are filed by women, ensuring a more inclusive and equitable innovation ecosystem.
By establishing Joint Action Plans, the project aims to enhance policy alignment, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration mechanisms, driving long-term innovation-driven transformation across European regions.
Over 12 months, EMPOWEREDbyNEIA successfully strengthened Green/Cleantech innovation ecosystems across seven European regions, structured into two main phases:
Phase I: Mapping and desk research
This phase focused on identifying regional strengths and weaknesses through:
• Mapping seven innovation ecosystems, analyzing existing policies, support mechanisms, and funding landscapes.
• 73 stakeholder sessions, conducting a SWOT analysis to assess gaps in investment, collaboration, and regulatory frameworks.
• Comparative analysis of regional startup support systems, highlighting key barriers such as policy fragmentation, funding complexity, and weak industry-academia collaboration.
Phase II: Co-designing Joint Action Plans
Building on the mapping phase, the project advanced to defining strategic priorities, resulting in:
• Entrepreneurial Discovery Workshops organsied with 62 QH stakeholders participated to identifying 9 cross-regional collaboration areas, including funding access, administrative barriers, and startup support.
• A Policy Brief with 12 recommendations to streamline procurement, improve financial support, and enhance interregional cooperation.
• Joint Action Plans with 12 key actions and 9 project ideas aligned with EU funding opportunities.
• 190+ funding opportunities mapped at the EU and national levels.
• 20 EoIs secured from funding agencies, municipalities, universities, accelerators, and startups for the implementation of the Joint Action Plans.
• Startup Workshop (40 participants, 12 Cleantech startups) pitching solutions to investors and accelerators, resulting in three thematic working groups on Smart Cities, Agriculture, and Renewable Energy.
• A Community Hub platform with 114 participants and 6,000+ engagements, fostering long-term stakeholder collaboration.
EMPOWEREDbyNEIA successfully enhanced regional innovation ecosystems, strengthened cross-border collaboration, and developed long-term strategies for Cleantech growth.
Phase I: Mapping and desk research
This phase focused on identifying regional strengths and weaknesses through:
• Mapping seven innovation ecosystems, analyzing existing policies, support mechanisms, and funding landscapes.
• 73 stakeholder sessions, conducting a SWOT analysis to assess gaps in investment, collaboration, and regulatory frameworks.
• Comparative analysis of regional startup support systems, highlighting key barriers such as policy fragmentation, funding complexity, and weak industry-academia collaboration.
Phase II: Co-designing Joint Action Plans
Building on the mapping phase, the project advanced to defining strategic priorities, resulting in:
• Entrepreneurial Discovery Workshops organsied with 62 QH stakeholders participated to identifying 9 cross-regional collaboration areas, including funding access, administrative barriers, and startup support.
• A Policy Brief with 12 recommendations to streamline procurement, improve financial support, and enhance interregional cooperation.
• Joint Action Plans with 12 key actions and 9 project ideas aligned with EU funding opportunities.
• 190+ funding opportunities mapped at the EU and national levels.
• 20 EoIs secured from funding agencies, municipalities, universities, accelerators, and startups for the implementation of the Joint Action Plans.
• Startup Workshop (40 participants, 12 Cleantech startups) pitching solutions to investors and accelerators, resulting in three thematic working groups on Smart Cities, Agriculture, and Renewable Energy.
• A Community Hub platform with 114 participants and 6,000+ engagements, fostering long-term stakeholder collaboration.
EMPOWEREDbyNEIA successfully enhanced regional innovation ecosystems, strengthened cross-border collaboration, and developed long-term strategies for Cleantech growth.
EMPOWEREDbyNEIA advanced regional innovation governance by introducing a structured, co-designed approach that enhances policy alignment, collaboration, and entrepreneurship across Green/Cleantech ecosystems. Key achievements and impacts are:
1. Strengthening regional and cross-regional innovation ecosystems
o Seven regional ecosystems mapped, identifying barriers to funding, policy fragmentation, and weak collaboration.
o 12 Joint Action Plan areas and 9 project concepts ensuring sustainable, long-term interregional cooperation.
2. Enhancing policy coherence and supporting innovation governance
o Policy Brief with 12 recommendations, improving funding access, procurement processes, and regulatory frameworks for Cleantech innovation.
3. Facilitating access to funding and investment
o A Public Funding Repository of 190+ financial opportunities for startups and SMEs.
o 20 EoIs secured, demonstrating strong stakeholder commitment to project implementation.
4. Promoting deep-tech entrepreneurship and talent retention
o 62 stakeholders co-designed solutions for startup support and gender-inclusive innovation.
o 40 participants in the Startup Workshop, with 48% of startups co-founded by women.
The key needs for further uptake and success are:
1. Continued research and demonstration projects to validate best practices and policies.
2. Expanded market access and investment platforms to connect startups with investors.
3. Commercialization and IPR support for Cleantech innovations.
4. Internationalization and standardization frameworks to facilitate global competitiveness.
5. Long-term policy integration to align with evolving EU Green and Digital Transition goals.
EMPOWEREDbyNEIA delivers a replicable model for regional innovation, setting a benchmark for European policy and governance in sustainable technology ecosystems.
1. Strengthening regional and cross-regional innovation ecosystems
o Seven regional ecosystems mapped, identifying barriers to funding, policy fragmentation, and weak collaboration.
o 12 Joint Action Plan areas and 9 project concepts ensuring sustainable, long-term interregional cooperation.
2. Enhancing policy coherence and supporting innovation governance
o Policy Brief with 12 recommendations, improving funding access, procurement processes, and regulatory frameworks for Cleantech innovation.
3. Facilitating access to funding and investment
o A Public Funding Repository of 190+ financial opportunities for startups and SMEs.
o 20 EoIs secured, demonstrating strong stakeholder commitment to project implementation.
4. Promoting deep-tech entrepreneurship and talent retention
o 62 stakeholders co-designed solutions for startup support and gender-inclusive innovation.
o 40 participants in the Startup Workshop, with 48% of startups co-founded by women.
The key needs for further uptake and success are:
1. Continued research and demonstration projects to validate best practices and policies.
2. Expanded market access and investment platforms to connect startups with investors.
3. Commercialization and IPR support for Cleantech innovations.
4. Internationalization and standardization frameworks to facilitate global competitiveness.
5. Long-term policy integration to align with evolving EU Green and Digital Transition goals.
EMPOWEREDbyNEIA delivers a replicable model for regional innovation, setting a benchmark for European policy and governance in sustainable technology ecosystems.