ERNACT secures €1.4 million to drive digital and green transitions in the NPA area through Mission-Oriented Innovation

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Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme has approved the MINDSET project: Mission-Oriented Innovation Towards Digital and Green Transitions in NPA Communities

17 December 2024 - ERNACT project

The ERNACT network is delighted to announce that it has secured €1.4 million through the Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme (NPA) Programme for the newly approved MINDSET project. MINDSET aims to empower policymakers and stakeholders across three NPA regions with the innovation capacity necessary to address societal challenges that are currently either absent or insufficiently addressed at national and EU levels.

Mission-Oriented Innovation (MOI) represents an emerging field that strategically aligns science, technology, and innovation to respond to major societal challenges.

Commenting on the announcement, ERNACT International Management Committee Chairperson, Prof. Dr Andrej Kos, highlighted the project’s significance, stating The MINDSET project is an exciting opportunity to bring transformative, mission-oriented innovation approaches to the ERNACT network. This project will allow NPA communities to lead the way in digital and green transitions, showing how regional collaboration can make a real difference and ultimately strengthen our network.

Explaining the importance of the project, Caitriona Strain, ERNACT General Manager, emphasised “MINDSET will enable us to collaboratively develop and implement mission-oriented strategies that directly address the unique challenges faced by our communities, fostering sustainable development and resilience.”

The MINDSET project will introduce Regional Mission-Oriented Innovation (RegMOI) approaches by adapting and developing innovative methods and tools. These tools will address interconnected regional challenges such as skills development, climate change, and issues related to housing and public buildings in NPA territories.

The partnership brings together Umeå University and Örnsköldsvik Municipality (Sweden), the University of Helsinki (Finland), Donegal County Council (Ireland). ERNACT will lead the project.

Find out more about the Fifth Call projects approved.

Click here to email Maixa Zabaleta at ERNACT for further information

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