Phase 1 was all about people: giving academic and non-academic staff across our partner universities the tools and confidence to bring innovation and entrepreneurship into their everyday work — in teaching, research, and beyond.
Starting from what we learned in our baseline assessment, we built a Capacity Building Programme around four themes:
- Teaching innovation and entrepreneurship
- Working across disciplines
- Digital and green skills for the future
- Connecting with the wider innovation ecosystem
We didn't want another "sit and listen" training. So we mixed things up: some theory, a lot of hands-on practice, and plenty of space to learn from each other. The content draws on well-established European frameworks (EntreComp, DigComp, GreenComp) and speaks directly to the priorities of EIT Culture & Creativity.
What actually happened:
- We built training modules that target the real skills gaps we found.
- Staff from partner institutions rolled up their sleeves in workshops and co-design sessions.
- We set up mentoring pairs, connecting experienced practitioners with HEI staff for one-on-one guidance.
And the numbers speak for themselves: over 200 people joined in, from around 70 institutions in more than 20 countries — spanning the EU, the Western Balkans, the Southern Mediterranean, and neighbouring regions. It's proof that this programme resonates far beyond any single campus or country.