Strengthening Dynamic, Inclusive, and Interconnected Innovation Ecosystems
The COHES.io project has established a strong foundation for more dynamic, inclusive, and interconnected innovation ecosystems in three regions. By engaging over 350 stakeholders through co-creation activities, regional roundtables, interviews, working groups, and a shared online platform, the project fostered collaboration across the quadruple helix: industry, academia, civil society, and the public sector. A Memorandum of Understanding, signed by all partners and a majority of associated partners, secured ongoing commitment and support for a Joint Action Plan. The COHES.io Workbook further amplifies the project’s impact by guiding other regions in advancing people-centric digital health and interregional cooperation.
Preparing Joint Long-Term Programmes and Action Plans
The COHES.io project’s key outcome is the co-created Joint Action Plan for Open Innovation in Digital Health—a multi-annual roadmap designed to enhance cross-regional collaboration. Developed with input from ecosystem stakeholders, the plan aligns regional innovation agendas and policy tools. Five flagship initiatives were defined through Interregional Working Groups: implementing the European Health Data Space, boosting digital health literacy, co-designing a digital collaboration platform, establishing living labs, and integrating healthcare providers into innovation processes.
Ensuring Inclusion of All Innovation Actors and Regions
Inclusiveness was a core principle of the COHES.io project, guiding all activities to ensure broad participation across the quadruple helix—industry, academia, civil society, and the public sector. Through open dialogue, regional engagement, and the accessible LSOS platform, the project enabled equal opportunities for collaboration, regardless of stakeholder size or location. This inclusive approach ensured the Joint Action Plan reflects the diverse needs and strengths of regional innovation ecosystems.
Fostering Synergies with Other Funding Instruments
COHES.io actively fostered synergies with EU and national funding instruments by engaging public authorities with key roles in regional policy and financing. Through in-depth interviews and stakeholder engagement, the project identified alignment opportunities, supported by the development of a Synergy Matrix that maps connections between regional programmes and EU initiatives. This strategic approach enhances the Joint Action Plan’s implementation potential and lays the groundwork for long-term sustainability and funding leverage.
The impact of COHES.io is also evident in the strong support from across the innovation ecosystem, with 47 diverse organisations formally pledging their commitment. This broad engagement highlights the project’s success in fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration and securing cross-sectoral support for ongoing cooperation and implementation of the Joint Action Plan.
