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Vertical and Horizontal Integrating Innovation Valley Approach

Objective

VIVA is a bold, scalable, and policy-aligned response to Europe’s innovation divide. By connecting six regions—three Nordic innovation leaders and three Eastern European emerging innovators—VIVA establishes a dual-axis methodology that combines vertical scaling (via TRL/xRL elevator models) with horizontal industrial symbiosis to accelerate innovation and strengthen regional ecosystems.

At the heart of VIVA are six flagship pilots that operationalize regional smart specializations: humanoid robotics in Østfold, circular textile flows and flexible automation enabling plug and produce systems and AI-driven material optimization in Västra Götaland, renewable energy and industrial symbiosis in Österbotten, circular bioeconomy and agri-food transformation in Plovdiv, digital manufacturing and AI infrastructure in Alba Iulia, and agri-food innovation acceleration integrating sensor-driven optimization in Central Transdanubia. These pilots are not isolated showcases—they are interconnected through shared digital infrastructure, cross-regional testbeds, and cascade funding mechanisms supporting 40+ TRL 6–8 projects.

VIVA strengthens regional innovation systems by embedding governance structures based on Elinor Ostrom’s principles, deploying circularity assessment tools, and establishing structures for cooperation for long-term sustainability. The project’s open-source Innovation Valley Method Manual ensures replication across Europe, while its citizen science and quadruple helix engagement guarantee societal relevance.

With €100M+ in expected private investment leverage, 45% innovation density growth, and 30% resource efficiency gains, VIVA delivers measurable impact. It is a replicable model for inclusive, sustainable, and competitive European innovation.

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Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-COFUND - HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIE-2025-02

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Coordinator

OSTFOLD FYLKESKOMMUNE
Net EU contribution
€ 1 175 000,00
Address
OSCAR PEDERSENS VEI 39
1706 Sarpsborg
Norway
Activity type
Public bodies (excluding Research Organisations and Secondary or Higher Education Establishments)
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Total cost
€ 2 350 000,00

Participants (14)