Cross-KIC RI · Cross-KIC Strategic Regional Innovations Cluster

As the Strategic Innovation Agenda (SIA) of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) 2021-2027 sets out, the EIT, primarily through its Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) and by expanding its Regional Innovation Scheme, should aim to strengthen innovation ecosystems that tackle global challenges.Cross-KIC Strategic Regional Innovations is a horizontal project fulfilling the above requirements by providing a platform for the KICs to share best-practices and KIC initiatives and identify joint activities within those Emerging European regions that are labelled as modest and moderate innovators, specifically EIT RIS regions and countries and the Western-Balkans. Objective: Maximise the EIT Community’s impact in the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme area as well as other priority countries and regions Work PackagesProposed activities under the Work Packages address a need emerging from the local innovation ecosystem and validated by a group of experts:1.EIT Jumpstarter and EIT Post-Jumpstarter (EIT Jumpstarter Next from 2025) – addresses the need to support entrepreneurial education and boosting entrepreneurship in our region. 2.Western-Balkans – addresses the need for a closer business-academia collaboration 3.Ukraine – addresses the needs of Upskilling/Reskilling talents into entrepreneurs and providing access to European opportunities locally to decrease brain-drain 4.Cross-KIC Hub Collaboration- addresses the need for closer collaboration of the RIS Hubs within the same country and increase the visibility of the EIT Community 5.Communication and Management – addresses the need for effective management of the project Work Packages of the project are interconnected with each other to ensure strategic alignment and de-siloing of the activities proposed.