Success Story – Strengthening Local Innovation Ecosystems Through Community Engagement
Context
Entrepreneurship thrives within dynamic local ecosystems that connect education, industry, public authorities, and communities. TRIANGLE recognised that strengthening entrepreneurial skills required engagement beyond formal training programmes, embedding project activities within local innovation contexts.
The Challenge
The key challenge was ensuring that project methodologies and educational approaches were not isolated within academic environments but actively connected to real-world challenges and local stakeholders. Building meaningful partnerships and ensuring relevance to regional needs required active engagement and collaboration.
Actions Taken
TRIANGLE partners co-organised and participated in local events such as Albania Global Entrepreneurship Week and the Smart Paphos 360° Hackathon: Innovating for a Better City. These events brought together students, startups, local authorities, educators, and ecosystem actors to address real challenges through collaborative innovation. By embedding TRIANGLE’s methodologies into these events, the project ensured practical application of entrepreneurial skills and facilitated knowledge exchange across sectors.
Results Achieved
The events created vibrant spaces for collaboration and problem-solving. Participants gained hands-on experience, expanded their networks, and applied entrepreneurial thinking to local challenges. Partnerships between HEIs and local actors were strengthened, and TRIANGLE’s educational approach gained visibility within regional ecosystems.
Impact and Outcomes
TRIANGLE’s engagement reinforced the role of HEIs as drivers of regional innovation. It increased entrepreneurial activity, strengthened local partnerships, and ensured that education was closely aligned with community needs. These outcomes contribute to more resilient and connected local innovation ecosystems.
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