The aim is to exchange experiences, knowledge and best practices on the topic of entrepreneurship with a focus on the environment and climate change together with the international partner universities for effective cross-sectoral action, enabling conditions, motivation and a support system for students, alumni and staff*. The main objectives are: 1) Increase transnational work capacity 2) Build a community and new networks for effective cross-sector action to better integrate the higher education sector into the innovation ecosystem 3) Create the conditions to develop relevant skills for implementing innovative, high-potential business ideals 4) Develop, test and implement new approaches to entrepreneurial education.
The research project CO-INNO-LAB investigates regional success factors and models for co-innovation in university-run innovation labs. Studies are conducted with regional com-panies in the region, in particular small and medium-sized industrial companies (KMI), using methods of classic social research and innovative methods of intervention and action research. The role of infrastructures (university innovation labs) should also be examined. For this pur-pose, a innovation lab will be built. Another goal is to research the possibilities of digitizing the co-innovation process via combined real-virtual (cyber-physical) innovation spaces. The knowledge gained should be made available as recommendations for action, best practices and, in the case of technical developments, as conceptual prototypes.
In the "CircularPro" project, a continuing education program for SMEs is being developed that is intended to enable product developers, product designers and development engineers to design products that are recyclable. Modules are developed with a focus on the basics and framework conditions of the circular economy, recyclable materials, circular design and construction principles and circular-based product-service systems. With these modules, participants should build up competencies in order to effectively develop sustainable and recyclable products and product-service systems in the future. In order to establish the practical relevance, case studies and practical exercises are developed for all modules, which supplement the theoretical content. The FHWN Innovation Lab provides a laboratory environment that can be used for prototyping and illustrating recyclable products. This project is funded by the FFG as part of the Innovation Camps program.