INITIATE Project | Latest updates

The INITIATE project continues to advance strongly with its activities and implementation. Project partners gathered for the 2nd General Assembly from 3–5 June 2025 in Skopje, North Macedonia, hosted by the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies (FEEIT) at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University. This three-day meeting served as a key milestone, providing a platform to review progress, strengthen collaboration, and align strategies for the upcoming months.

Key highlights from the Assembly include the ongoing development of the Knowledge Base and Knowledge Hub for institutional transformations, updates on pilot site activities in Zagreb, Skopje, and Lisbon, and the reinforcement of cross-partner collaboration as the project progresses toward its next milestones.

So far, INITIATE has submitted 11 out of 16 deliverables. Under WP4 led by ESEIA, the project’s R&I Labs continue to advance the social and user-oriented evaluation of INITIATE outcomes at pilot sites. To date, six R&I and Policy Labs have been successfully implemented. The most recent lab, hosted by UNIZAG FSB, focused on Policy Pathways for Innovation: Shaping Croatia’s R&I Future in collaboration with EMERGE. This event highlighted INITIATE’s achievements and facilitated discussions on cross-sector collaboration and policy reform for green and digital transitions.

Additional sessions included a presentation on Widening Participation in Croatia: From Horizon 2020 to Horizon Europe and Future Perspectives by Ivana Ružić Divjak (AMPEU), followed by a workshop on funding opportunities, joint proposal design, and publications. Partners exchanged information on funding possibilities and collected potential expressions of interest for collaboration. A significant outcome of these sessions was the creation of Miro Boards, capturing research concepts, expertise, and opportunities for future joint work.

Looking ahead, the INITIATE project will be participating in the 20th SDEWES 2025 Dubrovnik Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems, scheduled for 5–10 October 2025. INITIATE partners are invited to contribute to a special technical session focused on “Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Future: EU Green Transition Supported by Research Organisations.”

Towards the sustainable and inclusive future: EU green transition supported by research organisations

The green transition is a cornerstone of the European Union’s vision for a sustainable and inclusive future. Achieving this ambitious goal requires innovative solutions and active collaboration across research organizations, industry, and governments to address environmental challenges while fostering economic growth and social equity. Research plays a key role in aligning technological advancements with the EU’s climate goals, delivering actionable solutions that drive decarbonization, resilience, and sustainability across all sectors. By blending scientific expertise with a commitment to inclusivity, research organizations help shape policies and practices that ensure a fair and balanced transition.

Key areas of focus include:

  • Developing technologies and systems to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable practices;
  • Advancing circular economy models to maximize resource efficiency and minimize waste;
  • Crafting equitable green policies that deliver benefits to all communities;
  • Generating data-driven insights to guide effective and evidence-based climate action;
  • Building partnerships between academia, industry, and governments to accelerate progress toward climate neutrality.

With the support of research organizations, the EU can ensure that its green transition is not only environmentally sustainable but also inclusive, benefiting both present and future generations. This session will therefore explore how cutting-edge research and innovation can address critical environmental challenges while advancing social and economic equity. By showcasing case studies and actionable strategies, it aims to illustrate the transformative potential of research-driven solutions in accelerating the EU’s green transition. The session should inspire dialogue on best practices, collaborative approaches, and the policy frameworks needed to make the green transition both practical and equitable.

Contact:

Project Coordinator: Marko Mimica, UNIZAG FSB, HR; E-mail: marko.mimica@fsb.hr
ESEIA Project Manager: Sila Celebi, AT; Email: sila.celebi@eseia.eu

/by