MEDiterranean QUadruple helix Approach to Digitalisation
Innovation and technology are recognised as a major driver for competitiveness and for long-run endogenous economic growth. However, most of Mediterranean regions are characterised by a high prevalence of micro enterprises, with difficulties to acquire the necessary skills to innovate and grow. MED-QUAD will address this challenge through the cooperation among universities in 6 countries. The project aims to nurture the innovation potential of the regions, by building up a cross- border cooperation scheme of the Quadruple Innovation Helix. The main actors are the universities which will improve their capacity to be and act as “civic universities” in cooperation with the cities to which they belong as “anchor” Institutions together with the socio-economic stakeholders and the citizens. Two cross-border Living Labs will be established in the cities, where several pilot activities for technological transfer and commercialisation of research results will be implemented. They will exploit ICT technologies and Key Enabling Technologies for water use optimization, consumption and reduction (Smart Water Use Applications - SWUAP), as well as cultural heritage promotion and preservation (Applied Research for Cultural Heritage Exploitation - ARCHEO). The project will set up a toolkit for enhancing the institutional capacities of businesses, cities and universities of both shores of the Mediterranean to work together and reinforce their role as “catalysts” for fair and inclusive development.