EU innovation institute to open new centre in Cyprus

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and the Research and Innovation Foundation (Idek) this week co-organised an Info Day at the A.G. Leventis Gallery, where they unveiled plans for the launch of the ‘EIT Community RIS Hub’ in Cyprus, according to an announcement released on Thursday.

The event, which took place on June 14, served as a platform for enterprises, research organisations, and academic institutions to explore the funding tools and support services provided by the EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities, which aim to address pressing societal challenges like climate change and sustainable energy.

During the event, Marton Herczeg, the Head of the Innovation Ecosystem Unit at EIT, made a significant announcement regarding the establishment of National Secretaries for the new RIS Hubs in Cyprus, Malta, Ukraine, and Montenegro.

These National Secretaries will play a pivotal role in coordinating and running the information centres, acting as key intermediaries between local innovators and the EIT community.

They will facilitate access to valuable resources and provide guidance on opportunities offered by the EIT, while fostering collaboration between leading businesses, academic institutions, and research organisations.

“Cyprus, Malta, Montenegro and Ukraine are just the beginning”, Herczeg said.

“We hope to establish joint EIT hubs in 20 European countries, accelerating pan-European innovation for a more competitive and sustainable future,” he added.

According to the announcement, the new Hubs are part of the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS), aimed at bridging the existing innovation gap in Europe, and are expected to launch operations within 2023.

The Research and Innovation Foundation’s Director General Theodoros Loukaidis said that “the EIT plays a key role in the new European Innovation Agenda, strengthening Europe’s innovation ability, introducing powerful solutions to pressing global challenges and nurturing entrepreneurial talent”.

“In the context of its role as the coordinator of Cyprus’ participation in Horizon Europe”, he added, noting that the “RIF has an important mission to fulfil”.

To this end, Loukaidis continued, the RIF provides, through the National Contact Points, a wide range of free services and tailored support in important matters such as finding partners and drafting proposals.

“Simply put, participants have a close and reliable partner on their side, actively enhancing their ability to successfully participate in EU research and innovation projects,” Loukaidis concluded.

It should be noted that the Research and Innovation Foundation is the national authority in charge of supporting and promoting research, technological development and innovation in Cyprus.

The RIF’s mission is pursued through the design and monitoring of funding programmes for research and innovation actions, in combination with the support of the integration of Cypriot researchers in research and innovation activities at a European and international level.

The EIT, meanwhile, is an EU body and an integral part of Horizon Europe, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, under Pillar III. The Institute supports dynamic pan-European partnerships, EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities, among leading companies, research labs and universities.

Together with their leading partners, the EIT Community offers a wide range of innovation and entrepreneurship activities across Europe: entrepreneurial education courses, business creation and acceleration services and innovation-driven research projects.