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CORDIS · VIVA

Vertical and Horizontal Integrating Innovation Valley Approach

Code
VIVA
Programme
HORIZON
Call
HORIZON-EIE-2025-02-CONNECT-02
Status
SIGNED
Period
2026-09-01 – 2030-08-31
Total cost (whole consortium)14 197 269 €
EU contribution (whole consortium)7 098 634 €
EU contribution to Bulgarian participants930 250 €

Official data · CORDIS · synced 2026-10-18 03:29 · official record

Participants

OrganisationsRoleCountryGrant
OSTFOLD FYLKESKOMMUNEcoordinatorNO1 175 000 €
VASTRA GOTALANDSREGIONENparticipantSE836 438 €
MUNICIPALITY OF ALBA IULIAparticipantRO797 500 €
OSTERBOTTENS FORBUND POHJANMAAN LIITTOparticipantFI792 500 €
KDRIU KOZEP-DUNANTULI REGIONALIS INNOVACIOS UGYNOKSEG NONPROFIT KFTparticipantHU782 375 €
Sdruzhenie REGIONALEN HAB ZA BIOIKONOMIKA - PLOVDIVparticipantBG711 875 €
SMART INNOVATION NORWAY ASparticipantNO489 062 €
ACADEMIA DE STUDII ECONOMICE DIN BUCURESTIparticipantRO253 000 €
SOFIA UNIVERSITY ST KLIMENT OHRIDSKIparticipantBG218 375 €
NORSK SENTER FOR SIRKULAER OKONOMIparticipantNO191 562 €
NECIA TECH CLUSTERparticipantNO188 500 €
INNOVATUM ABparticipantSE173 688 €
OY MERINOVA ABparticipantFI166 188 €
HOGSKOLAN VASTparticipantSE163 197 €
HOEGSKOLAN I BORASparticipantSE159 375 €

Description

VIVA is a bold, scalable, and policy-aligned response to Europe’s innovation divide. By connecting six regions—three Nordic innovation leaders and three Eastern European emerging innovators—VIVA establishes a dual-axis methodology that combines vertical scaling (via TRL/xRL elevator models) with horizontal industrial symbiosis to accelerate innovation and strengthen regional ecosystems. At the heart of VIVA are six flagship pilots that operationalize regional smart specializations: humanoid robotics in Østfold, circular textile flows and flexible automation enabling plug and produce systems and AI-driven material optimization in Västra Götaland, renewable energy and industrial symbiosis in Österbotten, circular bioeconomy and agri-food transformation in Plovdiv, digital manufacturing and AI infrastructure in Alba Iulia, and agri-food innovation acceleration integrating sensor-driven optimization in Central Transdanubia. These pilots are not isolated showcases—they are interconnected through shared digital infrastructure, cross-regional testbeds, and cascade funding mechanisms supporting 40+ TRL 6–8 projects. VIVA strengthens regional innovation systems by embedding governance structures based on Elinor Ostrom’s principles, deploying circularity assessment tools, and establishing structures for cooperation for long-term sustainability. The project’s open-source Innovation Valley Method Manual ensures replication across Europe, while its citizen science and quadruple helix engagement guarantee societal relevance. With €100M+ in expected private investment leverage, 45% innovation density growth, and 30% resource efficiency gains, VIVA delivers measurable impact. It is a replicable model for inclusive, sustainable, and competitive European innovation.

Official data · CORDIS · synced 2026-10-18 03:29 · official record · Licence: © European Union, CC BY 4.0 (Commission reuse policy).