<< Objectives >>The NERU project aims to develop methods and shared frameworks that allow students and educators to generate relevant knowledge concerning rural areas, the current challenges they are confronted with and the European policies that are being devised to steer their future. Such knowledge (analytical and design-based, inter- and transdisciplinary) will be generated partly in co-production with relevant stakeholders and local actors, thus integrating the experience and needs of actors on site.<< Implementation >>-Onsite co-production workshops for HEI, experts, and local actors and stakeholders-Regular design studios at each partner university, punctuated by blended learning activities (e.g. online conferences or collective crit’s)-Staff meetings to reflect on the ongoing work (on and off-site)-A web platform to publicise the NERU work-An international student design competition, and exhibition displaying the awarded submissions -A closing symposium dedicated to the topic of “new ruralities”.<< Results >>- Design proposals for distinctive European rural areas, elaborated either inside regular design studios within HEI, or in the context of onsite co-production workshops, or derived from the student design competition- Intermediary deliverables compiling the lessons learned by every HEI (in the context of their own work) or jointly during the staff meetings and the co-production workshops- The symposium papers and keynotes reflecting on the NERU trajectory and the future of European rural areas

Urgently needed innovation in twin transitions will bring about transformations that significantly impact people's everyday lives. These transitions must be science-based and sensitive to actual societal needs to ensure they realize their full socio-environmental benefits. Implementing an approach that is focused on collaborative knowledge valorisation (CKV) and supports collaboration across the quadruple helix (QH) has a powerful potential of moving such innovations beyond the current state of affairs and achieving much more sustainable and better rooted impact. Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) have emerged as a promising field where participatory planning and co-design have been experimented with recently, resulting in innovative best practices. These approaches have provided essential experience in uniting local residents, businesses, academia, and decision-makers to enhance green and blue infrastructures in a participatory and inclusive manner. A lack of knowledge, resources, and skills often hinders the maintenance of NBS, affecting ecosystem integrity and the provision of ecosystem services essential for climate change adaptation and mitigation. GreenEsteem builds on and advances best practices in the field of NBS through piloting the co-evaluation and co-design of sustainable NBS in two living labs (Konin & Sofia). Based on pilot outcomes and with strong support of expert groups and national expert roundtables, a comprehensive training program for CKV are established to tackle barriers and skill gaps among QH stakeholders. Strategic roadmaps and events launch and intensify cross-fertilization networks engaged in the green transition. Supported by an online platform featuring best practice toolkits, online training modules, a digital handbook, and policy recommendations, GreenEsteem is designed to reach practitioners, citizens and researchers alike, ensuring the replication of best practices of collaborative knowledge valorisation across Europe.

<< Background >>HURBE improves the quality of education in Bosnian organizations by focusing on curriculum development, modernization of HEIs and strengthening the relationship between HEIs and the urban and health environment. It transfers knowledge and skills to future actors of urban transformation, where HEI staff members work on the preparation of future architects, urban planners, and engineers that participate in the design process of protecting and ensuring the health and wellbeing of people in cities.<< Objectives >>1. Analysis and introduction of credit transfer.2. Integrate innovative educational approaches by focusing on decisive content3. Develop new courses (in classroom and online) in the field of Healthy Urban Environment4. Upgrade HEIs facilities (laboratories) to enhance relevance with labour market and society.5. Increase cooperation and exchange between academic staff, students, policymakers and labour market.<< Implementation >>After the needs analysis and HEIs content comparisons, the training activities took place to enhance capacity building processes, focusing on the Healthy Urban Environment field, innovation in teaching, and internationalization tools. Two accredited courses were installed in each Bosnian HEI. Two MOOCs were created, involving academics and experts. Three laboratories were installed, and their activities were linked to the didactic courses and to the external stakeholders.<< Results >>1.Creation of an interdisciplinary national network with competencies and facilities (i.e., 3 functioning laboratories operating in the Healthy Urban Environment field).2.Establishment of 3 groups with tools to sustain the outcomes beyond the funding period (i.e., 2 accredited courses, 2 MOOCs, labs, internships, and upgraded frameworks).3.Enhancemed of link with stakeholders from labour market, public authorities and NGOs through strategies and agreements integrated in project activities.

The MOBICCON-PRO project will introduce and demonstrate a systemic, circular and mobile solution in the South-East Europe (SEE) region to improve the recovery and recycling of Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW). The project will combine physical solutions adapted to the ground (a mobile CDW treatment plant) with innovative selective separation and deconstruction technologies in order to scale up both the treatment of CDW and the production and use of recycled construction materials. Beyond technical solutions, the partners of MOBICCON-PRO are conscious of the socio-economic drivers necessary for the transition to a circular economy. Therefore, cornerstone of the project will be the establishment of a territorial hub for CDW through which private, public and scientific key stakeholders, as well as citizens, will cooperate to bring circularity to the construction ecosystem in the region. The innovative equipment and mobile technical solutions will be demonstrated in different environments at local and regional level in order to prove the sustainability, viability and replicability of the systemic concept at a large scale. Moreover, the project also aims to shed light on the technical and policy measures needed to improve the overall legislative framework of construction products in order to facilitate the market uptake of recycled products, in line with the EU's Circular Economy and Green Deal ambitions.