CHAngeing

Abstract

Teamwork is essential to the success of complex endeavours on large scales such as combatting climate change or ensuring public health. Quadruple helix innovation systems highlight the importance of societal participation in research and innovation (R&I) alongside the more traditional actors of science, policy and industry. The EU-funded CHAngeing project will transform and interconnect two excellence hubs in southern Europe - Portugal and Greece - into leading centres for ageing-related research and innovation, contributing to job creation, economic growth, and Europe's response to societal challenges such as ageing, the Green Deal, and the Digital Transition. By strengthening quadruple helix ecosystems, CHAngeing will drive science-based interventions to promote healthy lifestyles through the Mediterranean diet to prevent cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) and enhance stroke rehabilitation, fostering innovation and societal impact across regions.

Objective: Cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) represent a major public health burden in Europe, afflicting, in particular, Easter Widening Regions. By bringing together a multidisciplinary and cross-sector agenda, CHAngeing will transform and interconnect two quadruple helix-based excellence ecosystems located in southern Europe (Portugal and Greece). This will be accomplished by science-based interventions: 1) promoting healthy lifestyles supported by Mediterranean diet culture to prevent CVD; 2) improving health technology-based rehabilitation of stroke patients. The objectives of CHAngeing are aligned with call outcomes, are supported by the Smart Specialization Strategy (RIS3) of both regions, and will contribute to deliver impact in both hubs and between hubs, in a synergistic manner: 1) reinforcing the excellence of both hubs as poles of attraction of new talents; 2) developing a common R&I strategy on ageing research, supported by action and investment plans; 3) promoting a culture of cross-sector fertilization in R&I and student’s training in both regions and across regions; 4) building strong links between research and business, filling innovation gaps and foster knowledge transfer and job creation; 5) implementing pilots and demonstrators towards healthy lifestyles and rehabilitation of stroke patients; 6) efficiently communicate, disseminate and exploit results of CHAngeing, ensuring high societal impact and long-term sustainability. The proposal encloses seven work packages: WP1- Coordination and management; WP2- Exploitation and sustainability (action and investment plans); WP3- R&I strategy; WP4- Advanced training and twinning; WP5- Connecting academia & business; WP6- Pilots & demonstrators; WP7- Communication, dissemination and societal impact. CHAngeing will be a catalyser of excellence synergistically supported by the success of established flagship projects in both regions, including Teaming for Excellence, ERA Chairs, Twinning, ERC’s, REGPOT, AAL and EIT Health.