The COALition project aims to strengthen regional innovation ecosystems in coal-dependent areas by establishing regional centres of excellence and defining a common strategic agenda for sustainable energy so as to facilitate their transition in a fair and inclusive way. The regions have been carefully selected (Western Macedonia – GR, Centre – RO, South East – BG) among the EU countries in transition, which are also characterised as catching up, in an attempt to maximise the long-term impact of the European research and innovation strategies to be developed within the project, as these territories will receive significant funding for their green transition and COALition aims to create a multiplier effect of the investments made by attracting and mobilising external ones.
Project start date: 1 January 2023
Project end date: 31 December 2026
Project duration: 48 months
COALition is a project that aims to create a joint strategy for sustainable energy among three selected territories in under-transition EU states (Western Macedonia – GR, Centru – RO, Southeastern – BG) that are also characterized as widening.
The project seeks to create regional excellence hubs that will co-define the regions’ joint priorities and action plan to facilitate their transitions, following a bottom-up, multi-stakeholder participatory approach.
The project also aims to establish permanent Regional Excellence Hubs in the three selected territories that are coal-dependent and also belong to countries that are characterized as less advanced in terms of R&I performance.
The excellence hubs will be composed of key representatives of the Quadruple Helix approach, and their main objective is to facilitate the just transition and transform the regions to climate-neutral, thriving economies.
Place-based approaches are collaborative, long-term approaches to build thriving communities delivered in a defined geographic location. This approach is ideally characterized by partnering and shared design, shared stewardship, and shared accountability for outcomes and impacts.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES:
1. Setup and/or strengthen representative communities (hubs) of key actors of the quadruple helix in a regional context in the SE domain in the 3 territories.
2. Advance research & mature technological solutions to facilitate regional transition.
3. Create new business opportunities for economic development and jobs in the areas to attract entrepreneurial activity and talents and establish favorable environments for investments.
4. Increase the capacities of the working force (researchers, entrepreneurs, employees, etc.) in the place-based innovation ecosystems.
KEY RESULTS:
- 3 Excellence Hubs Established (1 per region)
- 3 R&I projects funded
- Action Plan with 30 Pilot and Demonstration Projects
- 24 Workshops, 30 Innovation Missions and 24 Science exchanges
- 900+ people trained
PARTNERS:
Centre For Research & Technology Hellas – Coordinator
Regional Development Fund of Western Macedonia
Public Power Corporation
Just Transition Institute Greece
Knowledge and Innovation Consultants Simvouleftiki Monoprosopi EPE
University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology “G.E. Palade” of Târgu Mureș
Mures County Council
SC REPOM RRL
Mures SME Employers Union
ICEBERG Plus
University of Sofia “St.Kliment Ohridski” – Department of Regional and Political Geography
Stara Zagora Regional Development Agency
David Holding
Green Balkans
Institute of Information and Communication Technologies – BAS
WIP Renewable Energies
COALition Project – Horizon Europe
Grant Agreement #101087022
