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The INNOV-8-2-CREATE project is proud to announce the publication of its comprehensive toolkit, marking the culmination of a dedicated effort to enhance Europe's innovation ecosystem. This milestone represents a key achievement in fostering a more connected, inclusive, and efficient environment for innovation across Europe.

Driving Innovation

Over the course of 24 months, the INNOV-8-2-CREATE project, led by its partners—the University of Galway, the University of Turin, and Riga Technical University—brought together innovation stakeholders to advance knowledge exchange at local, regional, and international levels. The project’s overarching goal was to deliver transformative change by embedding processes, structures, and systems to future-proof and institutionalise innovation, with universities playing a central role as engines of innovation.

A Phased Approach to Success

The project’s achievements are the result of a carefully structured approach:

Innovation Assessment and Programme Design (2023):

• Mapping existing innovation ecosystems in Ireland, Italy, and Latvia.
• Developing the transnational, transdisciplinary Impact Series pre-accelerator programme, building upon the successful Impact Accelerator model.

Programme Pilot, Reflection, and Redesign (2024):

• Launching the 9-week INNOV-8-2-CREATE Impact Accelerator programme, blending online content delivery with face-to-face mentoring from Knowledge Transfer Office staff.
• Promoting inclusivity by encouraging participation from women researchers and minority groups.

Programme Delivery, Scaling, and Sharing (2025):

• Refining and expanding the programme based on insights gained during the pilot phase.
• Publishing the INNOV-8-2-CREATE toolkit to guide future innovators and institutions in replicating and building upon the project's successes.

A Lasting Impact

The INNOV-8-2-CREATE project has successfully fostered collaboration among innovation stakeholders, delivering a transnational, transdisciplinary pre-accelerator programme. The programme has supported new entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, championed Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), and accelerated innovation within minority groups.

The publication of the toolkit represents a significant milestone, offering institutions a valuable resource to enhance their innovation ecosystems. As the project concludes, its legacy will live on through the adoption and adaptation of its methodologies and resources by universities and innovation hubs across Europe.

For more information on the INNOV-8-2CREATE toolkit, visit: https://innov-8-2-create.eu/toolkit