Celebrating 2024: Milestones achieved, partnerships strengthened, and our commitment to a sustainable future

As the year draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on the milestones we’ve achieved. For ISINNOVA, 2024 has been a year dedicated to planting ideas, nurturing projects, and harvesting the fruits of new collaborations that have strengthened our commitment to a sustainable and inclusive future. Through this newsletter, we wish to share the most significant highlights of this journey, thanking you for sowing seeds with us, and expressing our hope to continue cultivating a better future together.

Our Commitment to Soil Regeneration

Soil health has been at the heart of our efforts in 2024. Our involvement in key initiatives addressing the European soil crisis through an integrated approach—blending science, policy, and sustainable practices—has opened up new opportunities to facilitate the adoption of holistic solutions to complex challenges.

Through the AI4SoilHealth project, now in its second year, we’ve been developing innovative AI-based monitoring tools to provide integrated soil health assessments and support informed decision-making processes. Meanwhile, we began our iCOSHELLs adventure, a new initiative that aims to establish Living Labs across diverse European climatic regions to test and implement innovative soil restoration techniques.

On top of our “fieldwork”, we have actively participated in international events such as the European Mission Soil Week and the EJP SOIL Final Policy Forum, exploring solutions for sustainable agriculture and updates on European policy. At the World Soil Day in Budapest, we presented AI4SoilHealth’s results, discussing strategies for integrated soil management, focusing on efficient data collection and use to align the needs of science, environmental policies, and responsible land use.

Sustainable Mobility: An Inclusive and Ecological Solution

In 2024, ISINNOVA continued to champion sustainable and inclusive mobility through projects that combine technological innovation with a focus on people’s transport needs. With the SINFONICA project, we contributed to the creation of tools such as the Knowledge Map Explorer, a resource for policymakers to incorporate user needs into connected and automated mobility (CCAM) solutions. By involving diverse user groups, we’ve merged social sciences and advanced technologies to create truly inclusive mobility services.

During 2024, the SCAPE project delivered its first prototypes of an innovative power converter for electric vehicles, poised to revolutionise EV powertrain design by standardising components, cutting costs, and enhancing the performance of power electronics for next-generation electric vehicles.

In partnership with Vèlo Mondial, we promoted cycling as a cornerstone of urban sustainable mobility, culminating in the release of “The Wheels of Change”. This document, aligned with the European Declaration on Cycling, spearheaded an awareness campaign and went hand in hand with the creation of the International Cycling Community of Practice (ICCoP), a global network devoted to sharing best practices and cycling policies among cities. The ICCoP is now seeking resources and support to kickstart its activities.

Another significant step was the relaunch of CIVINET Italia, part of the European CIVITAS programme, as a platform for collaboration among Italian cities on urban sustainable mobility. At the CIVITAS Forum 2024 in Parma, we organised a special event for Italian cities to advance innovative policies aligned with Europe’s environmental goals.

Energy: Innovating for a Sustainable Transition

This past year, ISINNOVA has played a key role in the energy transition, driving projects that transform policy into concrete actions for a greener future.

The REFEREE Tool has supported decision-makers in evaluating the multiple benefits of energy efficiency policies, providing an essential resource for both local and national-level strategies. Simultaneously, the BIOMETHAVERSE project explored cutting-edge technologies for biogas production, aiming to boost efficiency by 15% and cut costs by 10% by 2028.

Through HyPEF, we are contributing to the development of the first Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) category rules for hydrogen-related products, promoting a sustainable hydrogen economy in Europe. Meanwhile, the SEED MICAT project equipped stakeholders with advanced tools to quantify the impacts of energy efficiency policies and reinforce the Energy Efficiency First principle.

Foresight: Anticipating the Future to Shape the Present

Foresight activities have guided us throughout 2024, enabling us to develop strategies to address tomorrow’s challenges today.

Our scientific article, “Current and Future European Culture of Mobility”, explored four potential scenarios for the future of European mobility, highlighting the need to steer policies towards equity and sustainability.

As members of the Foresight on Demand (FOD) working group, we continued supporting the European Commission’s strategic planning, contributing to the Horizon Europe 2025–2027 Strategic Plan. Additionally, through the study “Scenarios for the Future of School Education in the EU”, we outlined pathways for sustainable and innovative education through 2040.

At the ESPON Conference in Mons, our President, Mario Gualdi, presented findings from the study on Quality of Life in the Alps, showcasing how Living Labs TQoL can enhance territorial planning.

Partnerships: Building Alliances for Innovation and Sustainability

Existing collaborations and new synergies have been a cornerstone of 2024. Joining the Greenovate! Europe network unlocked opportunities for sustainable innovation projects. Meanwhile, our Senior Researcher and Project Manager Andrea Ricci was appointed President of the Scientific and Technical Committee of APRE, recognising his contributions to European research.

At the GIURI Annual Event, Ricci participated in discussions on the upcoming FP10 framework programme, advocating for sustainable and inclusive research agendas for Europe. His insights were presented at a European Commission seminar and the 2024 APRE Annual Conference, attended by key institutions.

Thank you for being part of our 2024 journey! We look forward to 2025 with renewed energy and determination.

Warm holiday wishes from the ISINNOVA Team!