REGENU - ReGenerate Strategies for Higher Education Institutions

More recently western economies have recognized the need to transition to become ‘regenerative economies’ or a ‘regenerative green economy'. According to the European Green Deal there is an extensive need to boost the efficient use of resources by moving to a clean, circular economy and stop climate change, reverse biodiversity loss and cut pollution. For decades, universities have been stimulating economic growth through industrially relevant research, technology commercialization, high-tech spin-offs, and developing talent. However, recent EU studies showed that universities only work to a limited extent on greening and regenerative green economy with only 24% of HEIs work on inclusion of greening knowledge valorisation into the university’s policies. Recognizing this need the overall aim for the project is to (1) clarify, design and trial the type of role that HEIs can have in transitioning society from an extractive to a regenerative green economy; (2) to equip and empower change-makers with the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitudes on sustainability and the regenerative green economy; and (3) to think globally to impact local environments through the development of solutions with truly regenerative business models. The project aims to address the recognized need of Europe to transition to more sustainable activities, through the higher education sector playing a leading role in both developing the necessary talent and providing a platform for the development of university-business-government networks and research-driven solutions for complex societal issues. It will be achieved through establishing State of the Art on Regenerative Economy which will be used for delivery of the Training Program and Toolkit, Innovation Challenge, and Mentorship Program, and International Competition. Each of the work packages results will be transformed into the Policy Recommendations that will be disseminated through Policy Impact Event throughout Europe.