ESEIA Impact through INITIATE Horizon Project
Europe’s clean energy transition depends not only on technologies, but also on institutions capable of generating, scaling and transferring knowledge into real-world solutions. According to the European Commission, research and innovation are fundamental to Europe’s capacity “to tackle global challenges, create jobs and improve people’s lives,” by empowering researchers, businesses and institutions to bring scientific ideas into practical solutions and societal impact.
This is precisely the mission of the INITIATE Horizon Europe project, which empowers higher education institutions across Widening countries to transform their research and innovation ecosystems through institutional reform, stakeholder inclusion and co-design approaches.
ESEIA’s role in the INITIATE project
Within the INITIATE project, ESEIA acts as Work Package Lead for WP4 – the INITIATE Research & Innovation Laboratory, playing a central role in shaping and implementing the project’s R&I Lab approach. In parallel, ESEIA leads Task 1.4 on good practices from other European universities, supporting knowledge transfer and learning across higher education institutions.
ESEIA also leads Task 4.2 – the INITIATE R&I Lab, coordinating co-design processes and R&I Lab activities across pilot sites, as well as Task 6.2 on networking and connection to other activities, strengthening links with European University Alliances and related initiatives.
INITIATE achievements in 2025 supported by ESEIA’s contribution
In 2025, INITIATE marked important progress in project implementation. The project submitted its internal interim report in September 2025, which was positively received, and held two General Assembly meetings in Skopje (2–5 June 2025) and Zagreb (9–11 December 2025).
As part of Task 4.2 – INITIATE R&I and Policy Lab, the project delivered nine R&I Labs across three pilot sites and submitted Deliverable D4.1 – the Report on the Co-design Approach for User Engagement. Based on piloting results and stakeholder feedback, the first set of policy recommendations was developed. These activities engaged more than 250 participants, generated 40 joint research topics, and included over 20 expert talks, workshops and panel discussions.
Under Task 6.2 – Networking, dissemination and ecosystem building, INITIATE organised 22 events, reaching more than 1,500 participants, and initiated synergies with European University Alliances, including Unite!, EU4DUAL, INGENIUM, ARQUS, ECIUn+ and EPICUR-SHAPE-IT. Knowledge exchange activities also included FEEIT/UKIM’s visit to KONTRON, supporting alignment towards the development of a Smart Energy Systems group.
With the goal of supporting higher education institutions in strengthening R&I capacity and scientific excellence, the INITIATE approach is being developed collaboratively with the project consortium and local stakeholders from Widening countries, SMEs and public agencies.
ESEIA is proud to contribute to INITIATE, supporting universities as key actors in building Europe’s sustainable and resilient clean energy future.
Visit the project website: https://initiateproject.eu/
