As INTEGER’s funding period comes to an end, this newsletter offers a comprehensive overview of the key materials and outcomes developed throughout this incredible journey. We hope you find it insightful and that you will continue to engage with us on the Decidim platform – where the conversation and impact will continue. See all the details inside! https://integercollab.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Integer-Newsletter-6.pdf
After two years of dedicated collaboration within the quadruple helix model, the project’s funding phase will conclude on January 31, 2025. This milestone reflects the incredible contributions and hard work of stakeholders from Catalonia, Hamburg, and Krakow, who have been integral to our success. As the funding period comes to a close, we would like to inform you that TheGlocalNetwork INTEGER4H platform, which has supported our activities throughout the project, will be discontinued in the coming days. However, this is not the end of INTEGER’s journey! To sustain the strong innovation potential and vibrant community we have built across Europe, we are thrilled to announce the launch of a new digital INTEGER4H space. This platform will allow us to stay connected, exchange ideas, and collaborate on exciting new opportunities. The new space is powered by Decidim, a cutting-edge digital and democratic participation tool designed to empower individuals, organisations, and public institutions. Decidim enables you to: How to Join the New INTEGER4H PlatformTo register and join the new digital INTEGER4H space, simply follow these steps. Your participation will be key to continuing the interconnection of 4H innovation ecosystems across European regions.
On November 28-29, 2024, the prestigious Life Science Open Space Summit took place, bringing together leaders in life science innovation. Representatives of Krakow Technology Park participated in this inspiring event, which offered opportunities to exchange experiences and establish valuable connections. As part of the event, representatives of over 80 entities, including organizations, companies, and startups, had the opportunity to present their innovative solutions. One of the key moments of the event was the pitching session by the Edisonda Team, winners of AHAthon II. They presented their project, Lekko: Revolutionising Prescription and Pill Management for Doctors, Caregivers, and Patients. The product, developed during AHAthon II on June 13-14, 2024, at Krakow Technology Park, showcases the impact of interdisciplinary mentoring and the guidance of experts in turning ideas into practical innovations. The LSOS Summit also provided an excellent platform for discussions on potential collaboration in the field of social innovation. The event emphasised the importance of supporting innovations for sustainable development, health, and social well-being—key priorities for both Krakow Technology Park and the INTEGER project.
On December 9, 2024, Jolanta Perek-Białas, representing Jagiellonian University in Kraków, participated as a panelist at the VII Congress of Silver Economy in Poland. The debate focused on the inclusion of older adults in social life and the creation of conditions for solidarity and intergenerational integration. Jolanta shared valuable insights, drawing from her experience with the INTEGER project. The discussions at the 7th Małopolska Silver Economy Congress are part of the Silver Małopolska 2030 strategic program, which has been spearheaded by the local government of the Małopolska Voivodeship since 2023. The program’s primary objective is to promote successful and active aging among the inhabitants of Małopolska, ensuring their physical, mental, and social well-being while enabling them to maintain independence in everyday activities for as long as possible. Learn more about the conference here: VII Małopolska Silver Economy Congress
On November 26-27, the WeMind International Forum took place at the World Trade Center in Barcelona, focusing on critical topics such as mental health, neuroscience, and aging. The event featured seven expert panels, ten thematic sessions, 19 exhibitors, and 83 speakers from across the globe. During this event, the INTEGER project, particularly the Collaboratory from Catalonia, was presented. The project showcased its social digital innovation through collaboration among quadruple helix players—research, industry, government, and civil society—aimed at improving health and well-being. This presentation highlighted INTEGER’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies and multi-sector partnerships to address challenges in mental health and ageing.
Curious about what the INTEGER consortium has been working on? From training and col.laber pills to the learning community, general assembly, and much more — we have got you covered! In this 5th newsletter, we offer a detailed overview of our activities from the past few months.
The INTEGER mentorship program has been pivotal in driving social and digital projects in regions such as Catalonia, Krakow, and Hamburg, where 11 initiatives have been incubated through personalized support. In Catalonia, more than 20 hours of mentorship sessions were provided, while Krakow hosted 19.5 hours, complemented by meetings between mentors and participants. In Hamburg, five organizations received specialized support, consolidating a diverse social innovation ecosystem in Europe. The program focused on delivering advanced tools and methodologies tailored to the specific needs of each project. Key resources included the Social Business Model Canvas for structuring business models, SWOT-CAME analysis for identifying opportunities and designing strategies, and the Balanced Scorecard, which enabled participants to measure performance from a comprehensive perspective. Additionally, the use of agile methodologies was fundamental in enhancing the flexibility and adaptability of the projects to changing contexts. Mentorship sessions, conducted periodically and with an interactive approach, fostered strategic reflection, connection with key ecosystem actors, and the exchange of ideas among participants. These sessions addressed topics ranging from defining clear value propositions to identifying target markets and strengthening leadership and resilience skills. A key highlight was the creation of robust networks, facilitating strategic collaborations and access to funding opportunities and resources. As a result, the projects have progressed towards market validation, reducing their reliance on public funding and ensuring economic sustainability. The mentorships enabled the alignment of the initiatives’ social and business objectives, achieving a positive impact on both their communities and the broader social innovation ecosystem. Overall, INTEGER has proven to be an effective model for supporting the convergence of social and business innovation, maximizing the potential of projects and positioning them for sustained and meaningful growth in their respective contexts.
On November 5-6, the INTEGER project held its final General Assembly in Barcelona, hosted by i2CAT in a hybrid format. As the project approaches its conclusion in January, the assembly focused on celebrating achievements, discussing final steps, and exploring ways to sustain its impact. The first day featured presentations from each Work Package, covering essential areas such as project management, collaborative learning, regional innovation ecosystems, and the deployment of the INTEGER 4H Model. Discussions also focused on the project’s sustainability and the expert validation of the 4H model. Rafael Nualart, project coordinator, highlighted, “Each regional innovation ecosystem – Catalonia, Krakow, and Hamburg – has a unique context, and this diversity was central to the project.” This emphasis on regional specificity allowed INTEGER to tailor activities to local needs through study visits, stakeholder engagement events, and collaborative “col.laborathons” in each ecosystem. On November 6, the group visited Sant Joan de Déu Hospital in Barcelona to explore health and innovation research, with a particular focus on mental health challenges. The team then toured the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, where they learned about key health-related projects, including Bioinfo4women, a gender and health initiative. Back at i2CAT, insights from INTEGER’s mentorship program were shared. Albert Munné from Memima Baby, a start-up innovating classroom solutions for children’s well-being, shared how INTEGER’s mentorship helped refine their business planning and market approach: “INTEGER gave us an opportunity to grow.” The day also included a session on transitioning the INTEGER platform to Decidim, an open-source democracy platform, and concluded with a co-creation session and a presentation on the 4H INTEGER model. The model emphasizes clear communication and stakeholder involvement from the outset to drive deeper engagement and collaboration. The assembly underscored INTEGER’s commitment to lasting impact through innovation, collaboration, and sustainability.
In the scope of the INTEGER project, the Krakow Technology Park was invited to the ISIHUB Poland meeting to explore synergies with other initiatives in inclusive entrepreneurship and social innovation. This event, held at the Cluster of Socio-Economic Innovations Zabłocie, on October 21, presented a valuable opportunity for INTEGER to connect with projects sharing similar goals and to identify potential pathways for collaboration. Organised under the TASK4ISI project (Transnational Action to advance Skills and competences for Inclusive entrepreneurship and Social Innovation) and co-hosted by the Cracow University of Economics and the City of Kraków’s Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the meeting highlighted the project’s mission to foster entrepreneurship among marginalized groups. Funded by the Interreg Central Europe program, TASK4ISI offers mentoring, coaching, and business networking to empower participants from disadvantaged backgrounds, enhancing local entrepreneurship and social cohesion.
On October 16th, Carina Dantas, CEO of SHINE 2Europe, took part in the “Horizon Europe: Legal and Financial Aspects” webinar, organized by Portugal’s National Innovation Agency (ANI). The event provided key insights into handling legal and financial matters in Horizon Europe projects, covering topics such as budgeting, financial reporting, audits, third-party involvement, international collaboration, and the increasing use of lump-sum funding models. Representing the SIRENE and INTEGER projects, Carina Dantas shared her experiences with lump-sum financing, discussing both the advantages and practical challenges. She highlighted the INTEGER project, which seeks to accelerate the integration of social innovation actors and digital business hubs in three European regions: Catalonia, Krakow, and Hamburg. The project has organized hackathons within these innovation ecosystems and introduced a new role—the col.laber—a facilitator for next-generation living labs, known as Col·laboratories, based on the quadruple helix collaboration model. Dantas also underscored the complexities of budgeting for multifaceted projects like INTEGER, which include organising events, conferences, and developing digital solutions. However, she noted that with strong initial planning, the lump-sum model functioned smoothly, with no major hurdles in its practical implementation. The webinar, which attracted about 500 participants, featured a panel of experts including Alexandre Manuel Ferreira Marques, Ana Li, and Maria João Fernandes. The panel tackled key questions on lump-sum funding and unit costs, which are becoming increasingly relevant for the future of Horizon Europe projects. The session can be viewed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/LOAaqzL9F5s.
