CEETNOVA

The main outcome of CEETNOVA will be a network of knowledge valorisation (KV) Ambassadors, equipped through training, co-creation events, and a digital platform, supported by a skills portfolio, a KV status report, and an international community of practice.

With the international project CEETNOVA, launched in September 2024, we aim to address the challenges of the slowing innovation performance in the European Union (EU). CEETNOVA is a KA2 Erasmus+ project designed to strengthen KV within the European innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. The project’s goal is to empower higher education institutions to become leaders in KV processes by training "Knowledge Valorisation Ambassadors", thereby contributing to the more effective application and commercialisation of knowledge. The project duration is 30 months.

KV refers to the creation of social and economic value from knowledge by linking various fields and sectors, transforming data and research results into sustainable products and solutions that benefit society – ensuring economic prosperity, environmental benefits, progress, and better policy-making.

Project vision:

CEETNOVA aims to strengthen the institutional capacities of European higher education institutions (HEIs) to increase societal impact and foster the European I&E ecosystem. By developing KV Ambassadors, the project enhances collaboration between academia, industry, and society, ensuring that research results create real-world value.

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Objectives

1. Enhance Knowledge Valorisation (KV) skills among PhD students, researchers, postdocs, academic staff, and non-academic professionals.
2. ‍Develop a comprehensive training package to promote KV practices across Europe.
3. ‍Facilitate cross-sector collaboration and co-creation, linking HEIs with businesses, policymakers, and society.
4. ‍Strengthen local and European innovation ecosystems by mobilizing institutions to engage in KV at a broader level.

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Targeted groups:

1. PhD students & postdocs – Early career researchers equipped with KV skills for better career opportunities.
2. ‍Senior academic staff – Researchers with expertise who need training in valorising research for societal impact.3. Non-academic university staff – Administrators and technology transfer officers supporting KV initiatives.4. Local I&E ecosystem actors – Businesses, policymakers, and organizations engaging in research-driven innovation.

WP1: Project Management 

The Work Package ensures the effective coordination and smooth implementation of CEETNOVA, overseeing administrative, financial, technical, and risk management processes to achieve project objectives within scope, timeline, and quality standards. The Work Package also facilitates seamless communication and collaboration through the Executive Board and Advisory Board, enabling joint progress and fostering long-term cooperation.

WP2: Mapping Local Ecosystems & Developing KV Ambassador Profile

The Work Package maps the KV landscape, best practices, and skill gaps at institutional and European levels, identifying key competencies for KV Ambassadors through stakeholder engagement and a survey of 100+ actors. Key outcomes include a KV investigation report, a skills portfolio, and a market gap analysis, guiding the co-creation of a targeted training package to strengthen collaboration between academia, industry, policymakers, and society.

• Activity 2.1 Status mapping of KV in local ecosystems‍
• Activity 2.2 Survey to identify skills and competences gaps design‍
• Activity 2.3 Portfolio of skills and competences for KV ambassadors
  
  

WP3: Design, Development & Delivery of KV Training Package

The project will develop and implement the KV Ambassador training programme, equipping ambassadors with key valorisation skills through a flexible, structured approach. A modular training package for researchers, academic, and non-academic staff will be refined through a pilot phase, ensuring relevance and adaptability. Emphasizing diversity, sustainability, and AI, the programme will create a lasting learning pathway, enabling institutions to sustain it beyond the project while ambassadors bridge academia, industry, and society.

• Activity 3.1 Co-creating KV Training Package through Transnational Workshops‍
• Activity 3.2 Piloting and Validating the KV training package Virtual activity‍
• Activity 3.3 Evaluating and updating the KV training package

4. WP4: Practicing KV & Facilitating Co-creation

The work package on KV Ambassadors will support the CEETNOVA project by organizing five local multiplier events, one per partner, allowing KV ambassadors to practice their skills while addressing societal challenges in sustainability and the green transition. Additionally, a digital co-creation platform will be developed as an extension of the ECIU University digital experience platform (DXP) to foster collaboration in education, research, and innovation. This platform will build a European community and support collaborative R&I projects, enabling KV ambassadors to gain practical experience in sustainability challenges.

• Activity 4.1 Organizing local multiplier events for co-creation‍
• Activity 4.2 Developing a digital co-creation platform
  
  
  

5. WP5: Communication, Dissemination & Exploitation

The work package will mobilize local I&E ecosystems for KV at the transnational level by ensuring the valorisation and dissemination of CEETNOVA activities and results. It will establish an international Community of Practice (CoP) among KV Ambassadors, fostering the exchange of best practices and cross-pollination between local ecosystems. The package will also raise awareness and promote KV at local and European levels through concrete examples. Dissemination efforts will share CEETNOVA results with European University Alliances and relevant European institutions, ensuring lasting impact across Europe.

• Activity 5.1 Creating an international community of practice of KV ambassadors‍
• Activity 5.2 Organising final international KV workshop‍
• Activity 5.3 Disseminating results at international events‍
• Activity 5.4 Communication and Dissemination

1. KV Status Report – Mapping local ecosystems, identifying best practices, challenges, and needs.

2. KV Skills & Competence Portfolio – Framework for KV Ambassadors, defining key skills needed for impact.

3. Co-created KV Training Package – A structured 4-module training program for different target groups.

4. Pilot Training Sessions – 24+ training sessions across partner institutions, refining training content.

5. Community of Practice (CoP) – International network of KV Ambassadors engaging in knowledge sharing.

6. Digital Co-creation Platform – A dedicated online space for cross-sector collaboration on KV challenges.

7. Local Multiplier Events – 5 workshops engaging universities, businesses, and policymakers.

8. Final International KV Workshop – Showcasing project achievements and real-world KV case studies.

9. Dissemination & Sustainability Actions – Events, online presentations, and EU-wide communication efforts. 

Project Leader

Utku Ali Riza Alpaydin

utku.alpaydin@uis.no