The INITIATE project has received funding from the European Union’s HORIZON programme with Project Number: 101136775.

Project Overview

  • Aim

    Empower higher education institutions to develop R&I through institution reform in 10 Widening countries.

  • Funding

    The INITIATE project has received funding from the European Union’s HORIZON programme with Project Number: 101136775.

  • Budget

    €4.5M

  • Duration

    Feb 24- July 27

  • N of Partners

    14 Partner from EU and Widening countries

  • Coordinator

    Project Coordinator: Ana Daria Bokan, UNIZAG FSB, HR
    ESEIA Project Manager: Sila Celebi, AT

Project Description

INITIATE is a project that aims to empower higher education institutions to develop R&I through institution transformation. INITIATE, in its widening dimension, seeks to raise excellence in science and knowledge valorisation of Europe’s universities through cooperation and knowledge circulation.

Through stakeholder inclusion and co-design approach, INITIATE will design an approach for institution transformation that will reflect on the current needs and resources of the institution, external elements such as policy barriers, good practices from other initiatives and identification of possible collaboration areas with other institutions including local ecosystems.

Learn more about the project: website

More Information

Achievements in 2025

  • 9 R&I Labs across three pilot sites
  • 250+ participants, 40 joint research topics, +20
    expert talks, workshops, and panel discussions
  • Report on the Co-design Approach for User
    Engagement
  • 22 events reaching 1,500+ participants
  • 2 General Assembly meetings (2–5 June 2025, Skopje, MK, and 9–11 December 2025, Zagreb, HR)