Co-value in a nutshell

The CO-VALUE project is an ambitious initiative designed to strengthen citizen engagement in knowledge valorisation by adopting a co-valorisation approach.

The project is structured into three stages: mobilising, experiments, and capacity building, each targeting specific objectives to enhance the involvement of various stakeholders in co-creating sustainable solutions to societal challenges.

Project stages:

MOBILISING

MOBILISING

In the initial stage, CO-VALUE focuses on mobilising key players in the knowledge valorisation ecosystem. The assessment of existing best practices and methods in value creation is critical to understand the landscape of knowledge valorisation at the local level. This involves a rapid evidence assessment and a needs assessment to depict the requirements of local ecosystems in terms of co-valorisation and skill gaps. Workshops will be conducted with consortium members and local experts to gather insights into existing best practices and identify the appropriate tools for the co-valorisation process. This stage culminates in the creation of the CO-VALUE Canvas and Field Guides tailored to local contexts, serving as practical roadmaps for local experimentation.

Experimenting

Experimenting

The second stage involves conducting high-impact experiments in two European regions: Alicante in Spain and Emilia-Romagna in Italy. These experiments will test co-valorisation in real-life settings, integrating it with ongoing knowledge valorisation activities and strategic priorities. The Field Guides will be adapted to local contexts to drive these experiments, ensuring that the processes are co-designed with input from academia, industry, public sector, and civil society. To support these experiments, the project will establish mechanisms for timely adaptations and support from partners with extensive experience. A system of shadowing and observation will be set up to facilitate learning and adaptation across different ecosystems, involving local and external stakeholders. .

Capacity building

Capacity building

The final stage focuses on building the capacity of stakeholders to implement and sustain co-valorisation practices. This involves delivering training modules tailored to the identified needs and incentives of R&I stakeholders, enhancing their skills and knowledge for high-impact experiments. The project will leverage the insights gained from the needs assessment and incentives study to create a modular capacity-building and peer learning programme. This programme will be implemented in the local ecosystems of Alicante and Emilia-Romagna and disseminated across Europe. The training will cover both technical and soft skills, including new methodologies, tools, and creative problem-solving techniques.

MOBILISING

MOBILISING

In the initial stage, CO-VALUE focuses on mobilising key players in the knowledge valorisation ecosystem. The assessment of existing best practices and methods in value creation is critical to understand the landscape of knowledge valorisation at the local level. This involves a rapid evidence assessment and a needs assessment to depict the requirements of local ecosystems in terms of co-valorisation and skill gaps. Workshops will be conducted with consortium members and local experts to gather insights into existing best practices and identify the appropriate tools for the co-valorisation process. This stage culminates in the creation of the CO-VALUE Canvas and Field Guides tailored to local contexts, serving as practical roadmaps for local experimentation.

Experimenting

Experimenting

The second stage involves conducting high-impact experiments in two European regions: Alicante in Spain and Emilia-Romagna in Italy. These experiments will test co-valorisation in real-life settings, integrating it with ongoing knowledge valorisation activities and strategic priorities. The Field Guides will be adapted to local contexts to drive these experiments, ensuring that the processes are co-designed with input from academia, industry, public sector, and civil society. To support these experiments, the project will establish mechanisms for timely adaptations and support from partners with extensive experience. A system of shadowing and observation will be set up to facilitate learning and adaptation across different ecosystems, involving local and external stakeholders.

Capacity building

Capacity building

The final stage focuses on building the capacity of stakeholders to implement and sustain co-valorisation practices. This involves delivering training modules tailored to the identified needs and incentives of R&I stakeholders, enhancing their skills and knowledge for high-impact experiments. The project will leverage the insights gained from the needs assessment and incentives study to create a modular capacity-building and peer learning programme. This programme will be implemented in the local ecosystems of Alicante and Emilia-Romagna and disseminated across Europe. The training will cover both technical and soft skills, including new methodologies, tools, and creative problem-solving techniques.

1. DEMONSTRATE

Co-valorisation is a relatively new concept, and its potential benefits are still being explored. In the CO-VALUE project, we aim to contribute to this evolving field by developing and evaluating new good practices. Our goal is to showcase how citizens can be effectively integrated into knowledge valorisation processes, highlighting the tangible benefits this can bring. By actively involving citizens, we can ensure that the outcomes of research are more aligned with societal needs and values, leading to innovations that are more widely accepted and utilised. To achieve this, we will produce comprehensive Local Field Guides and Experimentation Action Plans. These documents will provide detailed instructions and strategies for implementing co-valorisation in local innovation processes, serving as valuable resources for communities looking to foster greater citizen participation in their research and development activities.

2. SHARE KNOWLEDGE

For co-valorisation to succeed, it is essential to engage Research Transfer Organisations (RTOs), which play a critical role in bridging the gap between research and practical application. By producing and disseminating knowledge to key personnel within RTOs, we can encourage them to adopt co-valorisation practices. This involves empowering these organizations to actively engage citizens as part of their research and innovation efforts. To facilitate this, we will organize a series of in-person and online workshops, training sessions, and capacity-building programs. These events will provide RTO staff with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively involve citizens, thereby enhancing the overall impact and relevance of their work. By building a network of well-informed and capable RTOs, we can create a supportive environment for co-valorisation to flourish.

3. ENGAGE POLICYMAKERS

To ensure the impact of CO-VALUE is felt across Europe, it is crucial to engage policymakers and embed co-valorisation practices into policy frameworks. Our aim is to provide clear, actionable recommendations that can influence policies at both national and European levels, making a significant difference in the research and innovation sector. We will produce a comprehensive policy playbook, which will include lessons learned from local shadowing and co-valorisation training activities. Additionally, we will host national final events in Italy and Spain to disseminate our findings and advocate for policy changes. These events will serve as platforms to share insights and best practices, fostering a dialogue between policymakers, researchers, and citizens. By doing so, we hope to create a more supportive policy environment that encourages and facilitates citizen engagement in knowledge valorisation processes.

4. SUPPORT ECOSYSTEMS

Our experimental initiatives in Alicante and Emilia Romagna offer a unique opportunity to enhance their local innovation ecosystems. By embedding citizen engagement more deeply into research and innovation processes, we aim to create lasting, positive changes. The CO-VALUE project will deliver capacity-building training workshops designed to equip local stakeholders with the tools and knowledge needed to implement co-valorisation effectively. Additionally, we will develop best practice guidelines and co-valorisation improvement cards tailored to each stakeholder group, providing practical advice and strategies for enhancing citizen participation. These resources will help to foster a culture of collaboration and innovation, ensuring that the benefits of co-valorisation are sustained over the long term. Through these efforts, we aim to create resilient, dynamic ecosystems that can continue to thrive and innovate with active citizen involvement.

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