19. 06.10:
New innovation support project for Dublin
The transnational Interreg North West Europe (NWE) Programme's Steering Committee met in Belfast on 16-17 June to evaluate applications received under its 6th call for proposals. Just 2 projects were approved from 19 bids. One of these, IOIT - Inspiring Open Innovation Team - includes Dublin City Council who will receive EUR350,000 in ERDF funding towards efforts to promote a cultural and operational shift from a ''closed'' innovation model to a much more ''open and connected'' model. The National College of Ireland and University College Dublin are also involved as sub-partners.
The project sets out to encourage the crucial role of transnational collaboration, partnering and synergies at European level in developing potential within the knowledge economy. This will entail the shared design and delivery of practical open-innovation activities and support systems including an innovation 'boot camp', SME capacity building and a pre-incubator expertise exchange programme to translate knowledge sector business requirements into research commercialisation actions.
The NWE programme recently held a pair of themed workshops focused on Innovation and on Prosperous Communities where over 100 participants gathered to discuss future project ideas. The results of the workshops and project ideas generated are now available online.
