Supporting European R&I Through stakeholder collaboration and institutional reform

Project Information

INITIATE

Grant agreement ID: 101136775

DOI

10.3030/101136775

EC signature date 7 December 2023

Start date 1 February 2024

End date 31 July 2027

Funded under

• Widening participation and spreading excellence

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 4 577 108,94

Coordinated by

SVEUCILISTE U ZAGREBU, FAKULTET STROJARSTVA I BRODOGRADNJE
Croatia

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - INITIATE (Supporting European R&I Through stakeholder collaboration and institutional reform)

Reporting period: 2024-02-01 to 2025-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The INITIATE project emerged in response to persistent research and innovation (R&I) disparities between established EU Member States and “widening countries.” These gaps hinder full integration of the European Research Area (ERA) and slow the EU’s progress toward climate neutrality, digitalization, and social cohesion. Higher education institutions (HEIs) in widening regions often face challenges such as limited funding, inadequate infrastructure, and weak industry-policy linkages, preventing them from realizing their full innovation potential.
INITIATE addresses these issues by positioning HEIs as central actors in regional innovation and development. A diverse consortium of universities, research centers, businesses, and policymakers co-develops tailored R&I strategies to modernize governance structures, boost capacity to attract talent and funding, and align institutional development with regional strengths. Social sciences and humanities (SSH) are fully integrated into the project, ensuring that innovation is inclusive and socially grounded. Through participatory research and impact assessments, SSH helps shape effective policy and technological solutions that reflect local realities.
INITIATE’s expected outcomes—improved governance, greater innovation output, and more resilient institutional ecosystems—contribute to EU-wide priorities such as the Green Deal, the Digital Europe Programme, and ERA consolidation. The project's approach is designed to be both scalable and replicable across other widening regions, offering a roadmap for institutional transformation across Europe.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

INITIATE’s technical backbone includes the creation of R&I Labs at partner HEIs—interdisciplinary spaces for students, researchers, and industry partners to collaborate on real-world solutions. These labs align with strategic themes like renewable energy, energy efficiency, smart grids, and digital tools for sustainable urban development.
A key milestone involves KPI-based mapping of R&I capacities across partner institutions. This analysis guides strategic planning and capacity-building tailored to institutional needs. By identifying strengths and gaps, the project supports the creation of long-term strategies that enhance research governance and boost innovation performance.
The Knowledge Hub, a dedicated digital platform, complements these efforts by hosting MOOCs, webinars, and expert content focused on green and digital transitions. The Hub provides open educational resources for continuous learning within academic and professional communities.
Demonstration pilots in Croatia, Portugal, and North Macedonia test innovative practices in sustainable energy and digital innovation, generating scientific evidence and policy insights. These pilots also facilitate knowledge transfer to replication sites, ensuring the adaptability of INITIATE’s methods across diverse contexts.
Through infrastructure development, scientific planning, and targeted knowledge transfer, INITIATE strengthens the research competitiveness of widening-region HEIs and aligns their capabilities with EU R&I goals.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

INITIATE is reshaping the R&I landscape of HEIs in widening countries. Through co-designed strategies, interdisciplinary R&I Labs, and the Knowledge Hub, the project provides concrete tools and practices to enhance scientific excellence, promote collaboration, and support the EU’s digital and green transitions.
The project successfully implemented a transformative model in Croatia, Portugal, and North Macedonia, developing best practices for broader replication. Its Labs support applied research and skills development, while the Knowledge Hub promotes accessible, targeted learning.
Beyond institutional benefit, INITIATE creates lasting impact through policy recommendations that strengthen R&I ecosystems. It fosters new collaborations between academia, industry, and government, supporting joint proposals and long-term innovation alliances—most notably, the Alliance for the Green Energy Transition.
The project encourages a shift in institutional culture—prioritizing excellence, inclusivity, and social impact—especially among less research-intensive HEIs. By aligning institutional strategies with EU climate, digital, and cohesion goals, INITIATE empowers universities to take on leadership roles in regional transformation.
Sustaining this momentum requires targeted enablers: continued access to EU funding (e.g. Horizon Europe), adaptable policy frameworks in widening regions, stronger incentives for industry-academia partnerships, international knowledge exchange, and sustained investment in digital capacity and skills development. These foundations ensure the Knowledge Hub and INITIATE model remain vital and relevant into the future.

INITIATE logo white