RESPONSIBLE RESEARCH AND INNOVATION APPROACH FOR TRANSITIONING THE TRADITIONAL INDUSTRY REGIONS INTO DIGITALISED INDUSTRY TERRITORIES.

Project Information

DigiTeRRI

Grant agreement ID: 873010

DOI

10.3030/873010

Project closed

EC signature date 26 November 2019

Start date 1 January 2020

End date 31 December 2022

Funded under

• Integrate society in science and innovation issues, policies and activities in order to integrate citizens' interests and values and to increase the quality, relevance, social acceptability and sustainability of research and innovation outcomes in various fields of activity from social innovation to areas such as biotechnology and nanotechnology

Total cost

€ 2 004 037,50

EU contribution

€ 2 004 037,50

Coordinated by

AIT AUSTRIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY GMBH
Austria

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - DigiTeRRI (RESPONSIBLE RESEARCH AND INNOVATION APPROACH FOR TRANSITIONING THE TRADITIONAL INDUSTRY REGIONS INTO DIGITALISED INDUSTRY TERRITORIES.)

Reporting period: 2021-04-01 to 2022-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Digitalisation affects all industries. Transition processes create a strong driving force if all stakeholder effected by digitalization are united. The engagement of stakeholders is important to ensure that different viewpoints are considered in the discussions about transition. In the three territories Värmland (Sweden), Région Grand-Est (France) and Styria (Austria), traditional industries have been very important for the regional economy, namely the production of paper and pulp, steel and machinery, and production for aerospace and automotive parts. The overall objectives of DigiTeRRI were to create a framework, develop roadmaps, and implement actions fostering digitalization in the three territories by applying the Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) approach. The project started with creating a common understanding of the current situation. Next, a common vision statement was co-created in each of the three territories which served as a shared picture of the joint future. Based on that, a roadmap with and action plan with RRI integration was co-created in each territory. DigiTeRRI project supported awareness and capacity building. It created a regional digitalisation network in all territories and initiated new networks of stakeholders acting on the global market. In Region Värmland and Grand-Est, the DigiTeRRI work was used also for formulating the Regional Sustainable Smart Specialisation Strategy, even with KPIs for RRI in Grand-Est. The DigiTeRRI integrated RRI approach was experienced as a solution provider to interested SMEs. Styria focused on the engagement of civil society. Styria also established a platform, organised events for networking and exchange of different stakeholder groups. Gender equality and female empowerment turned out to be a key issue in the change process. Strengthening of science education of young students and pupils played an important role in many implemented actions. Co-creation, co- learning, and knowledge building are the key elements for managing the transition to a digital territory.

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

DigiTeRRI set new bridges between different stakeholders: small group discussions of RRI stakeholders started to understand the complexity of the entire innovation ecosystem and the impact of technology and business on society and the environment. The collaboration of stakeholders was strengthened by creating awareness of the competences and needs in the territories (e.g. industry & business becomes familiar with competences and needs of the public authorities). Furthermore, establishing a shared sense of co-creation increased trust across different stakeholder groups. The three territories exchanged their experiences collected in the DigiTeRRI project and profited from their differences in geographical location, size, type of industry, relationships with stakeholders, and in how the topic of RRI was addressed.

In each territory, stakeholders affected by digitalization co-created a roadmap and identified goals and objectives for the transition into a digitalized territory. Based on the goals and the gaps, necessary actions were defined and developed in detail.
DigiTeRRI provided solutions and regional authorities facilitated these and offered expertise for SMEs interested in further development. Some specific examples:
a) Across the territories, a total of 36 practices in digitalization and RRI were identified and analysed at the beginning of the project.
b) The DigiTeRRI integrated RRI approach initiated a change on the way to digital transition in the project team members and their territories. 12 actions were successfully implemented in each territory. (https://digiterri.eu/actions/).
c) In the Région Grand-Est, stakeholders developed a smart specialization strategy (S3) in DigiTeRRI which integrated KPIs issued from RRI for the period 2020-2027.
d) Styria had a strong focus on the engagement of civil society and empowering females for digitalisation and established a platform and organised events for networking and exchange of different stakeholder groups.
e) Värmland integrated the RRI approach to the Smart Specialisation Strategy, built up strong networks between industry and university with business clusters by integrating the RRI approach. Furthermore, Värmland transfers the DigiTeRRI approach to region Dalarna.
f) The application of the DigiTeRRI integrated RRI approach effected not only the values in companies, but also the cultural values of the whole society and initiated the discussion on responsible innovation. Working with the stakeholders in the territories in this RRI integrated way created new perspectives for the everyday life in the stakeholders’ organisations.
g) DigiTeRRI outcomes are available in several forms: (1) a booklet comparing the three roadmaps (2 the guidelines of the DigiTeRRI integrated RRI approach providing information for other territories and topics (3 the implemented actions (https://digiterri.eu/actions/) and (4) the White Book (D5.4) which will also be published upon approval. Furthermore, a book with specific aspects the DigiTeRRI experience will be published by the end of 2023. Public deliverables are accessible in Zenodo (https://zenodo.org/communities/digiterri/).

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)

DigiTeRRI provided a progress beyond the state of the art by successfully implementing first actions during the project and observing positive results of the work co-created with the stakeholders in the three DigiTeRRI territories (Styria in Austria, Grand Est in France, and Värmland in Sweden). The main concepts DigiTeRRI worked with are: (i) digitalised industry territories, (ii) the RRI approach, (iii) responsible innovation ecosystems, and (iv) transitioning processes. DigiTeRRI symbolizes a strategic methodology by successfully integrating the RRI process dimensions (which are diverse & inclusive, anticipative & reflective, open & transparent, responsive & adaptive to change) into the co-creation of the roadmaps with the affected stakeholders.
The RRI keys (gender, open access, science education, and public engagement) were addressed, discussed, and actions worked out together with the strategies and goals for the transition into a digitalized territory, and this in the co-creation workshops with the stakeholders from the territories.
DigiTeRRI had a direct impact on the transition from traditional industry to self-sustaining and resilient digitalised industrial ecosystems through the DigiTeRRI RRI approach, whereas it underlines openness, co-creation, democratic accountability, and responsiveness. DigiTeRRI achieved that (a) stakeholders learned about RRI and the transition into a digitalized territory, (b) pathways and concrete actions were developed recognizing the importance of promoting digital skills in schools and especially for girls, (c) stakeholders in the three territories established stronger connections with each other, e.g. collaboration between universities ,industry and SMEs, (d) knowledge of the importance of RRI was created and disseminated considering the implications of technology and innovation on society and environment.
The DigiTeRRI integrated RRI approach was the foundation for the implementation of 36 actions and will be used to develop in further strategies in the Région Grand Est, Styria and Värmland.

DigiTeRRI Highlights

Vision statement Vaermland

DigiTeRRI Exploitation plan

DigiTeRRI Quiz

Vision statement Grand Est

Vision statement Styria

DigiTeRRI Outcomes

DigiTeRRI Cover Page