The Kick-off meeting of the CROSS-REIS (CROSS-disciplinary network for research excellence in Regenerative Economy Innovation eco-Systems) project took place at the Faculty of Economics, University of Niš, Serbia, on January 29th and 30th. Attended by representatives from all project partners, the gathering delved into discussions on how the project activities could significantly contribute to research in resilience/vulnerability, associated models, and policies. Emphasis was placed on the pivotal role of circular economy within regenerative economy ecosystems.
During this session, an overview was provided, followed by an introduction of all project partners and detailing the Working Packages, work plan, Gantt chart, as well as the comprehensive Financial and Administrative aspects essential for the project’s realization.
Prof. Carlo Sessa, EMEA executive board member, presented EMEA in the meeting and highlighted the role of EMEA and activities to be carried out in the implementation years of the project.
The meeting culminated with the approval of an Action Plan outlining the strategic initiatives for the initial 6 months of the project implementation.
CROSS-REIS project aims to raise excellence in science and value creation through deeper and geographically inclusive cooperation in alliance of higher education and research institutions in 5 widening and 4 science-leading European countries, to support the shift towards a regenerative economy paradigm. Global competitiveness and visibility of the Higher Education institutions in widening countries are to be improved by creating critical knowledge and research mass through cooperation with leading European research institutions in the area of the regenerative economy directly aimed towards the twin green and digital transitions. This is to be achieved through clearly defined and measurable sub-goals:
- To achieve a more balanced circulation of talents leading to a diverse and inclusive research community and innovative research outcomes, by organising exchanges, short visits and conferences participations;
- To reinforce the role of HE institutions in innovative ecosystems, by bringing additional expertise and resources by European leading research-intensive institutions to support the development of innovative ideas;
- To mainstream practices and tools for open knowledge and data sharing;
- To make progress toward reforming the research assessment system, including career assessment;
- To improve links between science and business by providing access to networks, resources and expertise to support the development of business partnerships and collaborations;
- To promote gender equality, diversity and inclusiveness;
- To accelerate society’s green and digital transition to support ERA Policy Agenda action 11;
- To encourage collaboration with third-country entities to support ERA Policy Agenda action 9.
The project contributes to the aims of empowering universities as actors of change in R&I by promoting cross-sectoral collaboration between universities and other actors in the R&I ecosystem, improving their knowledge valorisation capabilities and contributing to raising excellence in science.
EMEA is leading WP6: “Global and Local Collaboration: Think globally, act locally”. Global and Local Collaboration aims to engage citizens, cities, regions, and non-academic actors in the transition towards a circular economy. Also, WP6 is aimed on consolidation of cooperation with partners outside the EU Member States and Associated Countries through creating collaborative partnerships and research visits, as well as to achieve global outreach and internationalization of widening partners in the consortium.
