The project will provide a real-life testing environment for innovative approaches with a developed user-centered, open innovation system, Integrating relevant quadruple helix stakeholders from partner ecosystems helps to uptake circular technologies in less developed partner regions and accelerate cross-border marketability and technology uptake.

Project budget: 2.351.006,74

Project duration: 30 months / January 2024 – June 2026

About the project:

The main goal is to enhance innovation in less advanced regions with low RD and knowledge-intensive SMEs. This will be done through testing a Circular Transition Accelerator Program based on a Circular User Experience Model. It aims to create value with 3R circular principles in challenging sectors: plastic & metal processing and construction.

CI-HUB main outputs and results will be:

Establishment of joint transnational circular transition accelerator support services based on a circular user experience model combined with industry 4.0 novel technologies that support circular transition in 2 most challenging circular supply chains:

1. plastic & metal processing sector
2. construction sector

which are both RIS3 very important in less developed areas and where both will be tested by involved partners. That type of accelerator program doesn’t exist yet in EU and will be the first focused program on a transnational level.

ICT Cluster is a proud partner in the consortium with a contribution to project activities. ICT Cluster's main contributions include coordinating regional action plans, shaping the Circular User Acceptance Model, and contributing to policy development.

Partnership:  23 institutions (13 PP+10 ASP) thus constitute the following quadruple helix structure (Government; Industry; Academia; Civil)

LP   Pomurje Technology Park – Slovenia – www.p-tech.si
PP2   IFKA Public Benefit Nonprofit Ltd. – Hungary – www.ifka.hu
PP3   Business Development Agency of Karlovy Vary – Czechia – www.karp-kv.cz
PP4   Technical University of Cluj-Napoca – Romania – www.utcluj.ro
PP5   ICT Cluster – Bulgaria – www.ictcluster.bg
PP6   Science Technology Park Cacak – Serbia – www.ntpcacak.rs
PP7   Digital Innovation Hub ONEX – Bosnia and Herzegovina – www.onex.digital
PP8   BWCON research – Germany – www.bwcon.de
PP9   Technical University of Kosice – Slovakia – www.tuke.sk
PP10 Carinthia UAS-non-profit limited liability company – Austria – www.cuas.at
PP11 Croatin Chamber of Economy-Country Chamber Varazdin – Croatia – www.hgk.hr/zupanijska-komora-varazdin
PP12 Organization for Entrepreneurship Development – Moldova – www.oda.md
PP13 Science and technology park Montenegro – Montenegro – www.ntpark.me

Associated Strategic Partners:

1. Karlovy Vary Region - KARP
2. Ministry of Economy and Entrepreneurship - ONEX
3. Kosice Self-governing Region - TUKE
4. Municipality of Murska Sobota - PTP
5. Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering, University of Zagreb – HGK-VZ
6. Association of Business Women Nadežda – NTP Cacak
7. Chamber of Economy of Montenegro – STPMNE
8. Regional Economic Development Agency of Northern Black Forest - BWCON
9. Carinthian Economic Promotion Fund - CUAS
10. Technical University – Gabrovo - ICT CLUSTER