Pioneers into Practice 2012
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In 2012, the Regional Innovation Implementation Community (RIC) within Climate-KIC continues exciting knowledge development programme called Pioneers into Practice (PiP). The programme aims to promote world-class learning about the dynamics and management of system innovation for the transition to a low carbon economy in Europe.
The programme is committed to producing Pioneers: a new generation of specialists, entrepreneurs and policy-makers with high-level skills for the low carbon transition. They will be able to respond to the realities of climate change and shape the new models of economic development, systems, products and processes that a low carbon economy requires.
The programme will be delivered across six major regions in Europe: West Midlands (UK), Valencia (ES), Emilia Romagna (IT), Hessen (DE), Lower Silesia (PL), Central Hungary (HU), allowing participants to develop their knowledge and understanding in a diversity of environments.
Pioneers into Practice - leaflet of the project (DOWNLOAD)
What is it about?
Pioneers into Practice aims to create a new generation of low carbon innovators with the capacity to understand and manage this new type of innovation. It seeks to develop a mix of inter-disciplinary knowhow and managerial capability among practitioners in low carbon innovation.
In field of climate change main areas of interest are:
• climate assessment and identification of drivers;
• water management and adaptation;
• cities resilience and low carbon systems;
• production – zero carbon systems;
This will be done through a learning-by-doing approach which will be accompanied by the development of social science knowledge about innovation.
What is the plan?
• On 23–24 April the Introductory workshop will be organised in each region, which will provide an introduction to the main objectives of the programme.
• Domestic placement: during 23 April – 1 June period Pioneers will undertake the first of two four-week placements. This will be a domestic placement - in the Pioneer’s home region. The Pioneer will be located in a different type of organisational setting (e.g. moving from research to business) to help develop generic capabilities as well as specific know-how.
• Crucible I: the domestic placement will be closed by a intensive workshop called a ‘Crucible’ on 31 May – 1 June.
• Innovation Festival: will take place in Bologna (Emilia Romagna region) on 1-3 October. One day of the Festival will be devoted to a PiP workshop. This will be the first opportunity for PiP participants to come together as one group and mix other Climate-KIC representatives.
• International placement: Pioneers will undertake second four-week placement in one of the six RIC regions (not the ‘home’ region). The placement will be completed in leading low carbon projects to help developing the generic capabilities for low carbon as well as specific know-how. The placement period will be (to choose): 4 October to 2 November, or 15 October to 9 November.
• Crucible II: following the international placement a RIC event and intensive workshop will be held on 14–16 November in Brussels. Both Crucibles will help to develop a participant’s knowledge of systemic innovation and its application to the projects undertaken during placement.
Who should apply?
Climate-KIC is looking for enthusiastic and entrepreneurial individuals committed to finding solutions to the challenges presented by climate change. We are deliberately seeking people from a range of different backgrounds – industry, academia, public and voluntary sectors – who are able to bring a diversity of experience and perspective.
The programme is open to staff from public authorities, universities and companies dealing with climate change mitigation and adaptation. Participants need to be employed by an organisation in one of the RIC regions. Applicants are expected to be of graduate calibre.
What are the benefits?
The programme will provide participants with the opportunity to:
• Develop hands-on experience of low-carbon innovations within a variety of organisational and international settings,
• Go beyond the boundaries of their own professional expertise or organisational background and acquire a broader understanding of low-carbon innovation,
• Develop an understanding of transition thinking and systems innovation in the area of climate change mitigation and adaptation,
• Advance new ideas which could form the basis for new low-carbon innovations and ventures,
• Extend communication and networking abilities as part of a wider group of Climate-KIC Community.
The benefits of hosting a placement include:
• Having a highly-motivated individual to work on a particular project identified by your organisation with their salary paid by Climate-KIC,
• Joining a regional group of practitioners working on low carbon living and low carbon mobility initiatives and participating in the programme workshops,
• Joining a Europe-wide group of organisations committed to stimulating innovation in low carbon solutions for the future.
What will it cost?
Climate-KIC will be funding a maximum of €8000 to each Pioneer to cover the costs of: travel, accommodation, subsistence during PiP programme and the reimbursement of salary costs for two month placements. The organisations hosting a Pioneer will provide space, facilities and supervision.
How do I apply?
Wroclaw Research Centre EIT+ Ltd. (Wrocławskie Centrum Badań EIT+ sp. z o.o.) manages the Climate-KIC / RIC programmes in Lower Silesia. To apply for the Pioneers into Practice programme in Lower Silesia, please contact regional programme manager:
Bartosz Filo
Wroclaw Research Centre EIT+ Ltd., Climate and Energy Department
tel. +48 727 663 301
e-mail: bartosz.filo@eitplus.pl
