Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EU.FFICIENT (European Communities of Facilitators focused on Co-creation training, Networking and Hands-on learning)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2024-01-01 do 2025-06-30
Context of the EU.FFICIENT Project
Gap Identified:
Facilitation skills are often ad hoc, individual-based, and insufficiently trained or supported.
There is no structured community of expert facilitators (EFs), nor systematic training mechanisms to support them across domains.
Strategic Relevance:
Aligns with Horizon Europe goals to increase wider societal engagement, improve exploitation of research, and enhance innovation ecosystems.
Builds on best practices from EIT KICs, EIC, and Mission Boards.
Overall Objectives
The EU.FFICIENT project aims to unlock the full value of co-creation and stakeholder engagement in EU R&I projects through the creation of a dynamic and sustainable ecosystem of Expert Facilitators (EFs). The specific objectives are:
Design and deploy an EU.FFICIENT methodology that integrates cultural and sectoral dimensions of facilitation and engagement.
Build a thriving network of Communities of Expert Facilitators (CEFs) across strategic domains (e.g. HealthTech, Mobility, Advanced Manufacturing, AI/Digital).
Develop a digital platform to support facilitator networking, matchmaking, learning, and sharing of best practices.
Deliver targeted training programmes and self-assessment tools for facilitators based on EU competence frameworks (LifeComp, EntreComp).
Pilot, evaluate and demonstrate the added value of facilitated co-creation in real use cases, focusing on inclusiveness and gender equity (GEDI).
Ensure replicability and sustainability of the CEF ecosystem and training model beyond the project.
Expected Impact
Short to Medium-Term:
Establishment of a recognised, EU-wide community of facilitators embedded in key innovation ecosystems.
Improved quality and inclusiveness of co-creation processes across EU-funded projects.
Enhanced uptake of research results by stakeholders, industry, civil society, and policymakers.
Policy-Level Impact:
Strengthened support structures for stakeholder engagement aligned with Horizon Europe, ERA, and Open Science priorities.
Contribution to EU Missions, EIT KICs, and the New European Innovation Agenda via more effective facilitation practices.
Long-Term:
A sustainable, modular training and platform infrastructure for future use by DG RTD, EITs, clusters, and national innovation agencies.
A scalable model to extend facilitation ecosystems to new domains and Member States, especially Widening countries.
Gap Identified:
Facilitation skills are often ad hoc, individual-based, and insufficiently trained or supported.
There is no structured community of expert facilitators (EFs), nor systematic training mechanisms to support them across domains.
Strategic Relevance:
Aligns with Horizon Europe goals to increase wider societal engagement, improve exploitation of research, and enhance innovation ecosystems.
Builds on best practices from EIT KICs, EIC, and Mission Boards.
Overall Objectives
The EU.FFICIENT project aims to unlock the full value of co-creation and stakeholder engagement in EU R&I projects through the creation of a dynamic and sustainable ecosystem of Expert Facilitators (EFs). The specific objectives are:
Design and deploy an EU.FFICIENT methodology that integrates cultural and sectoral dimensions of facilitation and engagement.
Build a thriving network of Communities of Expert Facilitators (CEFs) across strategic domains (e.g. HealthTech, Mobility, Advanced Manufacturing, AI/Digital).
Develop a digital platform to support facilitator networking, matchmaking, learning, and sharing of best practices.
Deliver targeted training programmes and self-assessment tools for facilitators based on EU competence frameworks (LifeComp, EntreComp).
Pilot, evaluate and demonstrate the added value of facilitated co-creation in real use cases, focusing on inclusiveness and gender equity (GEDI).
Ensure replicability and sustainability of the CEF ecosystem and training model beyond the project.
Expected Impact
Short to Medium-Term:
Establishment of a recognised, EU-wide community of facilitators embedded in key innovation ecosystems.
Improved quality and inclusiveness of co-creation processes across EU-funded projects.
Enhanced uptake of research results by stakeholders, industry, civil society, and policymakers.
Policy-Level Impact:
Strengthened support structures for stakeholder engagement aligned with Horizon Europe, ERA, and Open Science priorities.
Contribution to EU Missions, EIT KICs, and the New European Innovation Agenda via more effective facilitation practices.
Long-Term:
A sustainable, modular training and platform infrastructure for future use by DG RTD, EITs, clusters, and national innovation agencies.
A scalable model to extend facilitation ecosystems to new domains and Member States, especially Widening countries.
Below the main activities and the main achievement of the project are listed per WP.
Methodology Development (WP2)
- A 3-pillar methodology (training, networking, hands-on learning) was created.
- EF typologies and user journeys were established (D2.2 D2.3).
- Guidelines for co-creation facilitation were implemented.
Community Engagement and Platform (WP3–WP4)
- Four CEFs (Advanced Manufacturing, AI/Digital, HealthTech, Mobility) were launched.
- ~345 Expert Facilitators (15% of target) onboarded.
- A fully operational, open-source EU.FFICIENT platform was launched (M16), featuring user profiles, community feeds, learning modules, messaging, and events.
Training and Certification (WP5)
- Learning framework, self-assessment tool (D5.2) and modular training content (D5.3) delivered.
- 7 training sessions conducted; 6 more planned.
- 94 completed self-assessments; >120 registered for 2025 training.
- Certification process linked to training completion initiated.
Piloting and Evaluation (WP6)
- Coordination of training rollouts and live challenge events.
- Dedicated hotline and email support channels set up.
- Online and face-to-face (f2f) workshops held to activate and evaluate the CEFs.
Communication and Dissemination (WP7)
- A targeted communication strategy (D7.1) was implemented.
- New dissemination channels (e.g. newsletter) introduced; LinkedIn surpassed KPIs.
- Active dissemination via media releases, newsletters, and partner events.
Methodology Development (WP2)
- A 3-pillar methodology (training, networking, hands-on learning) was created.
- EF typologies and user journeys were established (D2.2 D2.3).
- Guidelines for co-creation facilitation were implemented.
Community Engagement and Platform (WP3–WP4)
- Four CEFs (Advanced Manufacturing, AI/Digital, HealthTech, Mobility) were launched.
- ~345 Expert Facilitators (15% of target) onboarded.
- A fully operational, open-source EU.FFICIENT platform was launched (M16), featuring user profiles, community feeds, learning modules, messaging, and events.
Training and Certification (WP5)
- Learning framework, self-assessment tool (D5.2) and modular training content (D5.3) delivered.
- 7 training sessions conducted; 6 more planned.
- 94 completed self-assessments; >120 registered for 2025 training.
- Certification process linked to training completion initiated.
Piloting and Evaluation (WP6)
- Coordination of training rollouts and live challenge events.
- Dedicated hotline and email support channels set up.
- Online and face-to-face (f2f) workshops held to activate and evaluate the CEFs.
Communication and Dissemination (WP7)
- A targeted communication strategy (D7.1) was implemented.
- New dissemination channels (e.g. newsletter) introduced; LinkedIn surpassed KPIs.
- Active dissemination via media releases, newsletters, and partner events.
The main results that extend the state of the art are structured around the following 3 points:
1) EU.FFICIENT Methodology
2) EU.FFICIENT platform
3) Launching/engagement/piloting of Communities of Experts facilitators
1) Specifically, the EU.FFICIENT Methodology extends the state of the art by:
Introducing interdisciplinary, culturally-aware methodology linking co-creation to social & cultural contexts.
Using formal EU competence frameworks (LifeComp, EntreComp) to personalize EF training.
Designing a modular and interoperable facilitation logic linking user typologies to digital interaction behavior.
Creating a new model of “facilitator-centered” co-creation vs. traditional project- or topic-centered ones.
2) The EU.FFICIENT Platform extends the state of the art by:
Exploiting OSS-based infrastructure with full customizability and legal clarity (compliant with HE Article 16.4).
Mirroring directly the 3-pillar methodology and Expert Facilitator user journey logic.
Dynamically aligning facilitator typology, training needs, and peer engagement.
Accommodating future scaling with new CEFs and multi-lingual engagement features.
3) Creation, Engagement & Piloting of the Communities of Expert Facilitators (CEFs) extends the state of the art by:
Designing CEF onboarding strategy with 3 phases: Alpha → Beta → Public.
Launching 4 initial CEFs: Advanced Manufacturing, HealthTech, Mobility, AI/Digital
Identifying and contacting over 800 potential EFs.
Achieving 293 registered EFs from 35 countries (including 12 Widening).
Engaging EFs via self-assessment tool, training program, and live events.
Delivering training workshops (7+ sessions); >120 participants registered.
Additionally:
By implementing the self-assessment tool + user profiles + training feed integration, a dynamic, user-driven CEF ecosystem is enabled.
By implementing a CEF model that combines transversal and domain-specific training, mentoring, event coordination, and challenge building.
By facilitating cross-CEF fertilisation through the platform, a design rarely seen in other EU CSA platforms.
1) EU.FFICIENT Methodology
2) EU.FFICIENT platform
3) Launching/engagement/piloting of Communities of Experts facilitators
1) Specifically, the EU.FFICIENT Methodology extends the state of the art by:
Introducing interdisciplinary, culturally-aware methodology linking co-creation to social & cultural contexts.
Using formal EU competence frameworks (LifeComp, EntreComp) to personalize EF training.
Designing a modular and interoperable facilitation logic linking user typologies to digital interaction behavior.
Creating a new model of “facilitator-centered” co-creation vs. traditional project- or topic-centered ones.
2) The EU.FFICIENT Platform extends the state of the art by:
Exploiting OSS-based infrastructure with full customizability and legal clarity (compliant with HE Article 16.4).
Mirroring directly the 3-pillar methodology and Expert Facilitator user journey logic.
Dynamically aligning facilitator typology, training needs, and peer engagement.
Accommodating future scaling with new CEFs and multi-lingual engagement features.
3) Creation, Engagement & Piloting of the Communities of Expert Facilitators (CEFs) extends the state of the art by:
Designing CEF onboarding strategy with 3 phases: Alpha → Beta → Public.
Launching 4 initial CEFs: Advanced Manufacturing, HealthTech, Mobility, AI/Digital
Identifying and contacting over 800 potential EFs.
Achieving 293 registered EFs from 35 countries (including 12 Widening).
Engaging EFs via self-assessment tool, training program, and live events.
Delivering training workshops (7+ sessions); >120 participants registered.
Additionally:
By implementing the self-assessment tool + user profiles + training feed integration, a dynamic, user-driven CEF ecosystem is enabled.
By implementing a CEF model that combines transversal and domain-specific training, mentoring, event coordination, and challenge building.
By facilitating cross-CEF fertilisation through the platform, a design rarely seen in other EU CSA platforms.