CROSUSMOB

People are at core of the innovation process. Their skills—social, technical, creative, entrepreneurial—are the driver of innovations and the ability to put them to good use. The project SCORE is a direct continuation of the knowledge gained through the project InnoHEIs: Improving Research and Innovation Infrastructure (RII) Performance: from Fragmented to Integrated and Sustainable Cooperation (PGI06144). InnoHEIs pursued to improve usage of innovation infrastructure. However, in process of implementing the project InnoHEIs, the gap between research, business, and organizations has been noted, especially in social competencies for RII. Even the best infrastructure and EU subsidies will not be fully utilized without investment in human capital. Skills are a “critical infrastructure” for innovation. The emphasis on technological innovation also neglects some of the other skills for much-needed social innovation, as both are used to tackle economic, social, and environmental challenges. Partners want to focus i.a. on skills like social skills, open attitude, proficiency in international environment, entrepreneurial mindset & management skills. These are in accordance with policy brief: Skills for Innovation. The strategic objective of SCORE is to create an enabling environment for developing critical competencies in research and innovation infrastructure. Partners will collaborate, seeking to improve HEI's RII outcomes by responding to needs and demands of the region, using co-creation, demand, and user-led, open innovation approach to solve regional challenges. 6 policy learning events will be organized: 6 Study Visits back-to-back with 6 Interregional Thematic Workshops and 6 Peer Reviews and 36 regional Stakeholders Group meetings. Thorough regional diagnosis in partner regions will be conducted to identify existing good practices. Partners estimate that at least 8 good practices will be analyzed and at least 200 people will increase their professional capacities.