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InnoRenew
Published on 05 March 2018
Slovenia
Zahodna Slovenija
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About this good practice
In Slovenia, wood represents one of the main strategic resources as the forest covers more than 60 % of the national territory. The wood industry was quite severely affected during the economic crisis and since then there is recognition that the entire wood value chain needs to improve in generating higher value added. Another aspect is that the construction sector is quite strong and there are several companies involved in the wood construction business. Additionally, wood used in the construction sector can help in improving living conditions for all generations. The project established a living laboratory, the Living Lab InnoRenew, to create a platform to openly innovate, assess, and validate concepts for the operations, services, and research themes about renewable materials, with a special focus on wood. Living Lab InnoRenew was very successful and quickly grew to include members from 22 countries. Now, as the InnoRenew CoE begins its operations, the living lab will continue to support the development of the institute, but will also serve to continually support industry as they implement open innovation activities, participate in collaborative development projects, and seek research partners.
Resources needed
The European Commission awarded the project with a grant of almost 15 million Euros to establish the InnoRenew CoE. The Ministry of Education, Science and Sports contributed 30 million Euros of investment funding to boost development of the new research centre.
Evidence of success
The main result of the 1st phase is the successful proposal to win funding for the 2nd phase of the project, which is the actual establishment of fully operational InnoRenew CoE that started to operate in January 2017. The expected impacts of the 2nd phase of the project are Scientific (Fundamental research will target increased resource efficiency, extended product life, and their influence on human health and well-being), Economic and Societal.
Potential for learning or transfer
The GP is transferrable to other regions provided that the critical mass of knowledge and commercial interest exists and that the stakeholders can identify their mutual interest in cooperation. Living Lab InnoRenew already includes stakeholders from 22 countries, demonstrating the wide international applicability and interest in participation in this type of organisation. International joint ventures based on InnoRenew CoE can lead to breakthrough research and innovation landscape change in the international scientific community.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
University of Primorska, Department of Technology at Andrej Marušič Institute
Slovenia
Zahodna Slovenija
Contact
Undersecretary / Project officer