Project News
- Project News
July 7, 2025
Unlocking the Potential of XTREAM Environments
ERINN Innovation is proud to be part of the Horizon Europe project XTREAM, a €4.5 million, four-year initiative coordinated by NORCE Norwegian Research Centre that explores the biodiversity of extreme aquatic environments to accelerate the circular bioeconomy. XTREAM brings together a dynamic, multidisciplinary consortium to uncover novel enzymes, bioactives, and biomaterials from extremophiles, microorganisms that thrive in some of the planet’s harshest habitats, including deep-sea brine pools, hydrothermal vents, polar waters, and acidic lakes. These remarkable life forms hold vast potential for sustainable innovation across sectors such as pharmaceuticals, biomedicine, nutraceuticals, green industry, agriculture, and food. ERINN Innovation leads the Exploitation Plan within Work Package 5, focusing on translating XTREAM’s scientific advances into real-world benefits for industry, policymakers, and society. Above: Example of an acid drainage site characterised by low pH and elevated concentrations of dissolved metals. The project targets microbes adapted to extreme temperatures, pressures, salinities, and pH levels – environments that challenge most life forms. By tapping into these unique ecosystems, XTREAM aims to discover exceptionally stable and functional biomolecules with broad application potential. Beyond scientific discovery, XTREAM is committed to responsible and ethical exploitation. The project prioritises fair benefit sharing, supports policy development and capacity building, and employs low-impact, efficient biodiscovery methods that reduce environmental strain while accelerating innovation. Above: Hypersaline conditions observed in marine solar salterns, representative of high-salinity environments. As the lead of XTREAM’s exploitation activities, ERINN Innovation applies its proven Knowledge Transfer Methodology to identify and prioritise key exploitable results, engage stakeholders, and develop targeted strategies that maximise the uptake and impact of project outcomes. Our goal is to move XTREAM’s discoveries beyond the lab and into practical solutions that support Europe’s green transitions. By developing bio-based alternatives to fossil-derived chemicals and materials, XTREAM aligns closely with major EU priorities, including the European Green Deal, EU Biodiversity Strategy, and the Sustainable Blue Economy, contributing to a resilient and circular bioeconomy. (Main image: Representative polar and glacial environment, illustrating extreme cold conditions. All images licenced by WP5 lead- ScienSeed.) Learn more about ERINN Innovation’s Knowledge Transfer methodology.
- Project News
June 25, 2025
Living Labs in EU-Funded Projects: Lessons Learned
The Smart Control of Climate Resilience in European Coastal Cities (SCORE) project, funded under Horizon 2020, brought together innovative technologies and participatory approaches to tackle climate challenges in coastal areas. A cornerstone of the project was its network of 10 Coastal City Living Labs (CCLLs), which provided spaces for local stakeholders, citizens, policymakers, researchers, and industry, to co-create solutions for their communities to increase climate resilience. ERINN Innovation led and contributed to several Living Lab implementation activities throughout SCORE, helping partners apply participatory methods in practice. Their involvement across different project phases, from concept and design to on-the-ground delivery, has given ERINN Innovation well-rounded expertise in the Living Lab approach. ERINN Innovation’s Role in SCORE’s Living Labs Throughout the SCORE project, ERINN Innovation played a pivotal part in ensuring that SCORE’s Living Labs achieved real impact and generated transferable knowledge. Leading the Lessons Learned task, ERINN Innovation worked closely with partners to capture valuable insights from the experience of implementing the 10 CCLLs. The team took a systematic and mixed-methods approach, drawing on interviews, surveys, and interactive sessions, to document challenges, successes, and best practices. This effort was not just about reporting on what worked but about distilling learnings that could guide future projects. The result was the Navigating Living Labs: Lessons Learned from SCORE’s 10 Coastal City Living Labs guide, along with an associated course with these insights available here. This course features videos of CCLL Core Teams in conversation with ERINN Innovation partners, along with video on the Living Lab Integrative Process from SCORE project partners European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL). It serves as a great resource for those interested in learning how to create and implement a successful Living Lab. Key Insights for Horizon Europe Projects One important finding from ERINN Innovation’s work is that Living Labs in EU-funded projects present unique challenges and opportunities compared to other types of Living Labs, such as those led by municipalities or the private sector. Horizon Europe projects, with their specific timelines, funding and reporting structures, and multi-partner consortia, require careful adaptation of Living Lab methodologies. To address this, ERINN Innovation developed a dedicated chapter in Navigating Living Labs: Lessons Learned from SCORE’s 10 Coastal City Living Labs which focused on applying Living Lab approaches within the context of Horizon Europe and other EU programmes. This chapter offers actionable insights for project managers and partners involved in European-funded initiatives and is summarised in the video below. Overall, key advantages of Horizon Europe funding include financial stability, long-term collaboration opportunities, and pathways to future funding, which are benefits that have already enabled some CCLLs to extend their work beyond SCORE. Best practices for project design stress the importance of: Building strong, well-resourced Core Teams with at least one municipal partner and two funded organisations per CCLL. Carefully considering the number and geographic distribution of Living Labs. Designing flexible work packages that allow time for relationship-building, community engagement, and knowledge sharing. The CCLLs also noted the need to integrate technical and local partners to ensure tools and methods are relevant and actionable. Reflections on collaboration models recommend moving away from rigid “frontrunner vs follower” roles toward more balanced knowledge sharing systems based on shared challenges. Sustainability considerations highlight the value of diverse partner teams, clear post-project branding, ongoing engagement through communities of practice, and well-managed project closure strategies that maintain stakeholder trust and momentum. Ultimately, SCORE’s experience shows that with the right project structure, integrating Living Labs into EU-funded projects can create lasting, high-impact Living Labs that foster innovation, resilience, and strong community ties. Looking Ahead Building on the success of their work in SCORE, ERINN Innovation is looking to continue its involvement in participatory methods and Living Lab approaches. The team is actively seeking opportunities to bring this expertise to new projects, across a range of societal challenges. With proven experience in supporting collaborative innovation across the project lifecycle, ERINN Innovation is well-positioned to help support the design and delivery of Living Labs that empower communities and foster meaningful engagement, ensuring that solutions are not only innovative but grounded in real-world needs. Read our recent blog celebrating the successful conclusion of the SCORE project.
- Project News
June 16, 2025
Celebrating the Successful Conclusion of SCORE
SCORE (Smart Control of Climate Resilience in European Coastal Cities) was a Horizon 2020-funded project aimed at strengthening climate resilience in European coastal cities. In response to the growing threats posed by climate change, such as extreme weather events, coastal erosion, and sea-level rise, SCORE integrated SMART technologies, nature-based solutions and living labs to develop effective, scalable, and sustainable adaptation strategies. About The Project SCORE placed a strong emphasis on Ecosystem-Based Approaches (EBAs), which leverage natural processes to enhance coastal protection, improve biodiversity, and foster sustainable urban development. By combining EBAs with smart digital technologies, SCORE enabled cities to enhance climate monitoring, prediction, and adaptation strategies. However, these innovative solutions must be tested, refined, and validated through real-world applications to ensure their long-term viability and effectiveness. To achieve this, SCORE established a network of 10 Coastal City Living Labs (CCLLs) across seven European countries. These CCLLs serve as collaborative platforms where local communities, researchers, policymakers, and businesses co-design and implement climate resilience solutions tailored to their specific geographic and socio-economic contexts. Each CCLL followed a structured methodology to support its establishment, stakeholder engagement, and co-creation processes. Each CCLL was developed using a flexible framework, ensuring project goals were achieved, while allowing for contextualisation to the local context. SCORE’s CCLLs are located in: Ireland: Sligo & Dublin Portugal: Oeiras Spain: Vilanova i la Geltrú, Benidorm & Oarsoaldea Italy: Massa Slovenia: Piran Turkey: Samsun Poland: Gdańsk The project has produced numerous key results, including a EBA catalogue, co-creation toolkit, amongst others – all providing new results that are impactful at both the European and local levels. Discover the full list of results on SCORE’s website. ERINN Innovation’s Role ERINN Innovation played a pivotal role in the project’s success, leading the knowledge transfer activities and the establishment of the living labs. Notably, ERINN Innovation undertook a comprehensive, rigorous mixed-methods approach to systematically capture lessons learned from the SCORE’s ten CCLLs to support the further establishment of CCLLs beyond SCORE. In the early stages of the project, ERINN Innovation, with the support of WP2, developed a methodological framework and calendar to carefully capture insights from both technical and non-technical activities, thereby providing a holistic picture of how the CCLLs have adapted and matured over time. By engaging directly with CCLL partners through surveys, interviews, and interactive sessions, online and in-person, we were able to build a rich catalogue of the evolving challenges, successes, and best practices of the SCORE approach. This work and commitment, has lead to the development of Navigating Living Labs – Lessons Learned (see below). This guidebook gives specific recommendations and learnings for new living labs to take on in their journey. Above: The Navigating Living Labs – Lessons Learned Guidebook ERINN Innovation has led the development of a series of courses hosted on the SCORE Online Learning platform. These courses cover a variety of topics including nature-based solutions, monitoring in coastal communities and living labs. “It’s been a fun challenge to capture the huge amount of work done by the wider SCORE team across new mediums. I will miss getting to work on the unique tasks we as ERINN have had the chance to lead on, such as the Lessons Learned and designing Massive Open Online Courses. And of course I will miss working with this talented and ambitious consortium – I’ve found the whole SCORE team hugely inspirational!” – Casey Borklund, Project Officer at ERINN Innovation. The Project’s Legacy While SCORE is winding down, its legacy is far from over. With 10 CCLL established across Europe, these communities will continue to engage in co-creative activities, making their coastal areas increasingly resilient to climate change. The CCLLs bring together stakeholders for all walks of life and with varying priorities from, citizens, policymakers, businesses to discuss the climate challenges of their community. The CCLL creates a space for dialogue and collaboration at a time when it is truly needed. The empowerment of the communities is the true legacy of the project. “SCORE has really shown me the power of community-level work. I am continuously impressed and inspired by the folks within the CCLL, both SCORE partners and beyond, who show up and are so dedicated to ensuring their community is taking action. I am honoured to have met and worked with these folks and look forward to seeing where these relationships take us.” – Rochelle Caruso, Project Manager at ERINN Innovation. Want to find out more about our services? Explore how ERINN Innovation can support your project.
- Project News
May 20, 2025
SafeNet to Protect Biodiversity and Forest Networks
Funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation framework programme, the SafeNet (Safeguarding biodiversity and carbon-rich forest Networks in Europe) project aims to address biodiversity loss and boost ecosystem resilience in European forests, using advanced monitoring, modelling, and working with local communities to develop solutions that balance conservation with the use of natural resources. Collaboration with the people who depend on and manage forests is a key component of the project. Policymakers, forest owners and managers, conservationists, and selected industry experts involved in timber production, eco-tourism, and forest-based bioeconomy will be directly involved in shaping solutions. This will take place through regional case studies containing embedded Living Labs, as well as an EU-level Policy Lab. “By combining cutting-edge science with hands-on collaboration, we can make a real impact and safeguard the future of Europe’s forests,” says project coordinator Jukka Forsman, Research Professor at the Natural Resources Institute Finland; “SafeNet is not just about studying forests – it is about working with the people who rely on them to find solutions that balance conservation, climate adaptation, and sustainable use.” SafeNet will use the latest scientific methods, such as biodiversity monitoring, advanced modelling, and remote sensing, to understand how climate change and land use are affecting Europe’s forests. Conservation and management strategies will be tested in case studies located across a range of forest ecosystems. These include Mediterranean forests and fragmented landscapes in Spain and Germany, as well as temperate forests in Romania and Finland, all managed under long-term integrated practices. Stakeholders from each case study area will participate in regional living labs and play an active role in co-designing solutions tailored to their specific landscapes, ensuring that SafeNet’s research leads to practical and effective strategies for safeguarding forests. “Integrating anticipatory conservation strategies and commercial management of forests and habitats is essential for safeguarding species communities under climate change”, says SafeNet co-coordinator Mikko Peltoniemi, Research Professor at the Natural Resources Institute Finland. SafeNet researchers will study how species move and how ecosystems shift to predict where forests might act as climate refuges in the future. This will help identify the best ways to protect biodiversity and maintain healthy, carbon-rich forests. Building on these insights, SafeNet will develop effective management and conservation measures, such as maintaining ecological corridors to enable species to move along with the shifting ecosystems and temperature ranges. In the long term, this will help species adapt to new environmental conditions. ERINN Innovation leads the project’s communication, dissemination, and exploitation activities, ensuring that knowledge is shared, understood, and used to create real impact across Europe. By bringing together cutting-edge science and real-world expertise, SafeNet will provide the knowledge and tools needed to strengthen EU conservation policies, helping forests stay resilient, diverse, and full of life for generations to come. ERINN Innovation is currently supporting over 22 active European projects. We want to support our projects to have maximum impact to society. Discover our portfolio of EU-funded projects.
- Project News
March 21, 2025
OptiForValue: Optimising for Sustainable High-Value Forests
Wood use is increasing globally, with demand estimated to significantly surpass supply, increasing the pressure to increase forest areas and growth. Forests play an important role in the fight against climate change and are crucial for biodiversity and the bioeconomy. However, climate change is also causing direct challenges to forests and the bioeconomy due to increasing biotic and abiotic threats affecting forest health and causing severe economic losses. Better forest management is needed to make forests more resistant to the cross-border threats of pests, droughts and wildfires that are exacerbated by climate change, to strengthen their resilience and capacity and to enable new economic opportunities for forest-based value chains. The OptiForValue project, launched in 2024, is working to optimise forest operations for enhanced resilience and for high-value applications. About OptiForValue OptiForValue will contribute to the goals of the EU Forest Strategy, a European initiative focused on creating a comprehensive forest knowledge base, that will allow Member States, forest owners and forest managers to improve their response to growing pressures on forests and strengthen forest resilience and bioeconomy. This forest value chain optimisation will be achieved by using a unique, interconnected modelling framework involving strong participative engagement and novel scientific approaches, including early warning indicators of biotic and abiotic risks, adaptive forest management strategies, remote sensing and artificial intelligence for agile forest operations, and integrated value-chain optimisation and life cycle assessments. The project will report on methods and guidelines for the effective management of forest stands affected by drought, fire, insects, and snow damage; possible new high-value engineered wood products from damaged wood; adjusting forest management to meet future alternative demand for high-value forest products; and for more resilient value chains on supply security and cost competitiveness – and potential applicability to other regions across Europe. With a budget of €5 million and a consortium of seventeen partners across seven European countries, OptiForValue will operate from 2024 to 2028. Funded by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) and its members, and with Luke Natural Resources Institute (Finland) as coordinator, OptiForValue research project’s ultimate goal is to foster transition to more sustainable and resilient forest-based value chains. ERINN Innovation’s Role With expertise in guiding and accelerating impactful research and innovation for sustainable initiatives, ERINN Innovation is one of the partners in the OptiForValue project. Our role is in driving the project’s dissemination, exploitation, and communication strategy – leading the creation of the project branding, website and maintenance of social media platforms. ERINN Innovation is also managing the project’s knowledge transfer to ensure impact beyond the lifetime of the project and ensuring that information is accessible for advancing European sustainable strategies and achieving a sustainable future. For more information about OptiForValue and to stay up-to-date with the latest news from the project, visit the newly launched OptiForValue website. ERINN Innovation is actively involved in over 22 active European projects. Learn more about our projects. OptiForValue is supported by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking and its members. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
- Project News
March 10, 2025
New Peatland Standard Launched in Ireland
On Friday, March 7th, the Peatland Standard for Ireland was officially launched. The Standard is a pioneering certification designed to empower landowners and farmers to showcase the environmental benefits of peatland restoration, including carbon reduction, increased water storage, biodiversity enhancement, and improved water quality. What is the Peatland Standard? This voluntary certification provides landowners with the opportunity to unlock financial support to accelerate their peatland restoration efforts. These efforts are vital for reducing carbon emissions and will play a significant role in achieving Ireland’s climate and biodiversity targets. The initiative aligns closely with Ireland’s Climate Action Plan – which identifies peatland restoration as a key strategy for reducing emissions – and assists Ireland in achieving its National Biodiversity Action Plan targets. Following a public consultation at the close of 2024, Version 1.0 of the Standard has now been officially introduced for the pilot phase, giving landowners the chance to validate the environmental impact of their peatland restoration projects. By adopting the Standard, landowners can access funding from businesses and organisations committed to supporting environmental conservation initiatives. Development of the Standard The development of the Standard has been made possible through the support of Amazon’s Right Now Climate Fund, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Natural Capital Financing Facility (NCFF) of the European Investment Bank (EIB). Irish peatlands are essential for regulating water, supporting biodiversity and storing carbon. However, many have been severely degraded due to human activity. The Peatland Standard for Ireland presents a scientifically grounded methodology to assess some or all of the full range of ecosystem service benefits from peatland restoration, including carbon sequestration, volumetric water benefit, biodiversity improvements, water quality enhancement, wildfire risk and impact reduction and flood risk reduction. Dr Shane Mc Guinness from Peatland Finance Ireland remarked: “This new certification recognises the diverse environmental, economic, and societal advantages of restoring our peatlands. It will facilitate the funding of vital community restoration efforts, driven by a blend of public, private and philanthropic investments.” Developed over the last 15 months by Peatland Finance Ireland, a not-for-profit organisation, the Peatland Standard was created in collaboration with academic institutions, governmental bodies, semi-state agencies and civil society groups. The certification adheres to international environmental principles and is fully in line with the EU Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming Certification Framework (CRCF). Independent third-party auditors will validate ecosystem improvement claims in accordance with ISO standards. Landowners and organisations interested in adopting the Peatland Standard and unlocking funding opportunities for peatland restoration are encouraged to register interest and learn more about the certification process. Visit peatlandfinance.ie. About Peatland Finance Ireland Peatland Finance Ireland (PFI), established in 2022, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to creating and managing a national financing system for peatland restoration. PFI’s mission is to integrate carbon, water and biodiversity conservation with regional development opportunities, engaging a broad range of stakeholders including public bodies, NGOs, businesses and local communities. The organisation’s work is supported by ERINN Innovation and the Landscape Finance Lab.
- Horizon Europe
- Project News
January 29, 2025
Ambitious Projects to Tackle Invasive Alien Species Launched in Europe
Two ambitious multi-stakeholder projects that aim to tackle the threat of invasive alien species have been launched at a conference in Europe this week (20-23 January 2025). GuardIAS and OneSТOP — covering marine and freshwater, and terrestrial habitats respectively — will work in tandem to alleviate the adverse impacts of invasive alien species on endangered species, natural sites and human health, providing comprehensive coverage of Europe’s ecosystems. Invasive alien species — animals and plants that are introduced accidentally or deliberately into a natural environment where they are not normally found — are major threats worldwide, contributing to 60% of plant and animal extinctions and costing over $400 billion annually to global economies. The challenges associated with invasive alien species are likely to intensify with climate change and ongoing globalisation. The GuardIAS and OneSTOP projects will use advanced scientific research, cutting-edge technology, and artificial intelligence to develop new tools and methods that will prevent, detect, prioritise, eradicate, and manage invasive alien species — covering all steps of the biological invasion process. In addition, a significant aspect of both projects is public engagement and wider community involvement, including Citizen Science initiatives, outreach and art events, and the development of interactive games to gain support and promote action in addressing the threats of invasive alien species. “We have created a multi-disciplinary approach, which I am very excited about”, said GuardIAS Project Coordinator Professor Stelios Katsanevakis, University of the Aegean, Greece. “We have brought together public research institutes, universities, non-profit associations, small/medium enterprises and the EU’s Joint Research Centre to work on the issue. Through this, we will create a far-reaching outreach programme that involves the wider community in addressing the challenges posed to society by invasive alien species.” Prof Katsanevakis continued, “The GuardIAS project aims to improve the detection and prevent the spread of invasive alien species in both marine and freshwater habitats using a range of novel methods — such as artificial intelligence (AI), environmental DNA, satellite imagery, underwater robotics and monitoring systems, and the development of an early alert system. Information gained from the research will be used to increase public awareness regarding threats from invasive species spread, enhance public engagement, and enable decision makers to prioritise where and when to act.” GuardIAS and OneSTOP will develop solutions for the management of invasive alien species at multiple governance levels, from local to international — and will also conduct analyses to assess invasion risks under various future scenarios, including climate change. “It has been an incredible week at the Joint Research Centre in Ispra, hearing the scope of both projects and being with the different partners and stakeholders, discussing and collaborating”, said Professor Helen E. Roy from the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and University of Exeter, who is co-leading OneSTOP. “We have been aware for many years that there are datasets in many different places, with different people doing different things in different ways, and we knew there had to be a way to bring it all together. And now, we are launching initiatives to build on the incredible progress of the last decade. It is an exciting and significant moment for all involved”. OneSTOP’s coordinator Doctor Quentin Groom from Meise Botanic Garden, Belgium, shared the reasoning behind the project, “To comprehensively address the issue of invasive alien species, OneSTOP is working around four main objectives. We are developing new tools allowing us to detect invasive alien species better. We are connecting these tools to systems which send information to the interested stakeholders faster. Based on the obtained data, we are also developing a system which allows policymakers to prioritise action on invasive alien species. Throughout all of this, we are working closely with people on a regional level through Living Labs and on an international level with a policy forum.” A key part of both projects are work packages that will use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to systematically query different biodiversity databases for information about invasive alien species — for example, species distribution, environmental tolerances, biological traits, and genetic information, streamlining multiple datasets. To complement the EU efforts for an official reporting system and the European Alien Species Information Network (EASIN), the projects will be co-developing an Alert System on invasive alien species. Funded by Horizon Europe, the projects have been hailed as not just a response to current environmental challenges but also a proactive step towards sustainable management and conservation of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in Europe. The comprehensive approach of the projects, encompassing science, technology, and community engagement, positions them as key players in the EU’s efforts to preserve biodiversity and protect ecosystems from the growing threat of invasive species in alignment with the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Regulation. Red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). Photo credit: Benoît Outrey/Biosphoto
- Project News
January 20, 2025
Celebrating the Successful Conclusion of SEArcularMINE
After over four years of groundbreaking work, the Horizon 2020 SEArcularMINE project officially concluded in August 2024. This project focused on addressing Europe’s dependence on imported Critical Raw Materials (CRMs). It successfully demonstrated a sustainable and circular process for extracting these valuable minerals from seawater bitterns – a byproduct of traditional salt production. About The Project The SEArcularMINE project built on the ancient method of saltworks, where seawater is evaporated in shallow basins to produce salt. This process leaves behind bittern, a highly concentrated solution containing magnesium, lithium, boron, rubidium, and other CRMs. Using cutting-edge, low-carbon technologies like electro membrane processes and renewable energy, SEArcularMINE transformed this often-wasted resource into a valuable input for the sustainable recovery of critical materials. This process was designed to be fully circular, as seen in the project concept figure below: Infographic: The SEArcularMINE Project concept. The project’s crowning achievement was the development of a fully operational pilot plant near the historic Trapani saltworks in Sicily. The pilot demonstrated the feasibility of recovering CRMs with zero chemical inputs, producing high-purity magnesium hydroxide, up to 100 kg/day of target materials, and the proof of the potential for 100% renewable energy operation, paving the way for grid independence. Watch a behind the scenes tour of the site below: These innovations have significant implications for Europe’s raw materials strategy. By tapping into seawater as a sustainable CRM source, SEArcularMINE could help the EU reduce its reliance on imports, address global demand for critical materials, and foster economic growth in the Mediterranean region. Michael Papapetrou (Executive Director, ERINN Innovation) facilitating the SEArcularMINE final event in May 2024 in Trapani, Sicily. ERINN Innovation’s Role ERINN Innovation played a pivotal role in the project’s success, leading the communication, dissemination, exploitation, and knowledge management work. As leaders within this space, ERINN Innovation ensured that SEArcularMINE’s results were widely shared and positioned for real-world impact. Notably, the project generated 6 patents, 26 open-access publications, and created an upcoming network of over 80 skilled early career researchers to continue this work. ERINN Innovation’s Executive Director Michael Papapetrou provided the project management support, drawing on over 20 years’ experience working within European funding. The ERINN Innovation team also facilitated collaborative events with other EU projects, such as SEA4VALUE and REWAISE, to explore synergies and amplify the project’s outcomes. Trapani Saltworks (Photo © Michael Papapetrou) The Project’s Legacy While SEArcularMINE has officially concluded, its legacy is far from over. ResourSEAs, one of the project’s partners, is actively pursuing commercial partnerships with Mediterranean saltworks to develop full-scale plants. The transition of many of the SEArcularMINE team into the MareMag LIFE project will further advance the technologies, focusing on scaling up operations and integrating desalination brines into the process. Additionally, project partners like SUEZ and SOSALT are working as partners in the value chain of CRM extraction processes, while researchers from institutions such as UPC and iBET continue to refine processes for lithium, boron, and other trace element recovery. Following the conclusion of the project, the results of this work have continued to be of interest to the wider European community. SEArcularMINE was recently featured in the CORDIS Results Pack and at the EU Raw Materials Week in December 2024. You can learn more about the results of SEArcularMINE in this CORDIS Article about SEArcularMINE. Want to find out more about our services? Explore how ERINN Innovation can support your project.
- Project News
December 11, 2024
AquaPLAN: Map of European Aquatic Habitats Affected by Light & Noise Pollution Launched
An EU research project has produced the first interactive map of European marine and freshwater habitats affected by both light and noise pollution (LNP). The AquaPLAN Visualisation Portal is the first step in managing the combined impacts of LNP on aquatic biodiversity in our rivers, lakes, coastal and offshore waters. Funded by the Horizon Europe programme, the AquaPLAN project (Aquatic Pollution from Light and Anthropogenic Noise: Management of Impacts on Biodiversity) is quantifying the combined impacts of LNP on aquatic biodiversity in marine, freshwater and estuarine habitats, substantially improving our understanding of LNP prevalence, its impacts and our ability to manage them. Led by Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), the AquaPLAN Visualisation Portal allows users to view layers of data, separately or simultaneously, on marine and freshwater artificial light pollution and anthropogenic noise pollution. Existing habitat maps will also be made available in the future so that the combined impacts of these anthropogenic pollutants can be seen as we develop a risk matrix framework. Lead researcher, Tim Smyth (PML) said: “While our understanding of how LNP affects aquatic biodiversity has dramatically improved in recent decades. Evidence suggests that these effects are prevalent globally in all aquatic habitats. There are still many critical knowledge gaps, we need better datasets to understand how to monitor, protect and restore aquatic biodiversity effectively. The AquaPLAN Visualisation Portal will allow us to take the first steps to better management and reduce these combined impacts”. PML are demonstrating the capabilities of the Portal to AquaPLAN participants at online workshops on 9 and 18 December 2024. The workshop recordings will be made publicly available on the AquaPLAN website following the second workshop. We can all do our part to reduce light and noise pollution from our homes and outdoor spaces. For simple actions you can take, please visit AquaPLAN’s Tips. Discover the AquaPLAN Visualisation Portal.
- Horizon Europe
- Project News
October 7, 2024
SURIMI Project to Integrate Models into the Digital Twin Ocean
“The Digital Twin Ocean serves to make ocean knowledge available to all: governments, politicians, scientific experts, the private sector, entrepreneurs, ordinary citizens and activists alike, thus empowering them to become partners in knowledge generation by facilitating interactions in the pursuit of a healthy and productive ocean.” (Digital Twin Ocean 2024) At ERINN Innovation, our expertise lies in guiding and accelerating impactful research and innovation for sustainable initiatives. Ensuring that information is accessible to all is crucial for advancing European sustainable strategies and achieving a sustainable future. Funded by Horizon Europe’s EU Mission Restore Our Ocean and Waters by 2030, the NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS coordinates SURIMI project, which will integrate socio-economic models into the European Digital Twin Ocean (EU DTO). With a budget of €3.4 million and a consortium of eight partners across seven countries, SURIMI will operate from 2024 to 2027. It is one of four sibling projects—alongside SEADITO, SEADOTs, and ECOTWIN—focused on contributing socio-ecological models to the EU DTO. The EU DTO aims to create a digital representation of real-world ocean and water systems, using real-time and historical data from sources such as Copernicus and the European Marine Observation and Data Network. This system will simulate various ocean scenarios, offering insights and solutions to address future climate change pressures. SURIMI will use live data on fish stocks, landings, and distribution, applying artificial intelligence to conduct simulations and generate written responses. These models will be accessible to researchers, entrepreneurs, local authorities, and the public, facilitating more effective and sustainable marine resource management, policymaking, and conservation. This data will be vital for decision-makers and crucial in developing preventative measures to address harmful events, significantly contributing to ecosystem-based fisheries management while aligning with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. ERINN Innovation will forefront the project’s dissemination, exploitation, and communication strategy, leading the creation of the project branding, website, maintenance of social media platforms, and knowledge transfer to ensure impact beyond the lifetime of the project. The goals of SURIMI include: • Strengthening the assessment capabilities of the EU DTO with respect to impacts of environmental changes, human pressures and policy implementation on ocean health, the blue economy, and societal prosperity. • Elevating stakeholder skills in using state-of-the-art digital twinning tools for faster and cheaper evidence-based assessment and sustainable management of marine resources, increasing blue economy jobs, and thus supporting the move towards resilient infrastructure within the EU. • Democratising access to high-quality data and simulation model predictions related to stock status, prevention of overfishing, and equitable distribution of natural resources. • Bringing ocean knowledge to all, citizen science will be encouraged by providing accessible user-friendly tools, broadening engagement in ocean sciences, policy and sustainability. • Contributing to an ever-evolving EU DTO database with input from experts and non-experts alike to create a “stand-alone usability” principle, meaning that SURIMI tools will be easy to use without specialist guidance. ERINN Innovation’s role in SURIMI will bridge the gap between research, policy, industry, and society, advancing long-term marine and ocean management in line with the EU Mission Restore Our Ocean and Waters by 2030. Learn more about SURIMI.
- ERINN News
- Project News
May 10, 2024
CAP Network Ireland: Accelerating Knowledge Transfer for Sustainable Agriculture
As Knowledge Transfer experts, ERINN always seeks new opportunities to apply our tried and tested methodology to ensure that innovative knowledge has an impact in the move to a sustainable future. One example is ERINN’s role in CAP Network Ireland, the national network dedicated to supporting sustainable agriculture and rural development. Co-funded by the European Union and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) for a five year period (2023-2027), the Network promotes networking, innovation and funding opportunities under Ireland’s CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) Strategic Plan. Working in partnership with the Network coordinators, Irish Rural Link, and Munster Technological University, ERINN brings our insights and experience in bridging the gap from research to policy, industry and society. In addition to supporting communication activities within the Network, ERINN manages and implements the Network’s Innovation Hub. The new CAP supports agriculture and communities in making a strong contribution to the goals of the European Green Deal. Within this context, the Innovation Hub has a specific objective to support the development and sharing of innovative ideas and solutions to ensure the economic, environmental and social sustainability of farming and of rural areas. The Hub’s key activities include: Mapping and sharing funding opportunities, Knowledge and innovation scoping, Facilitating knowledge exchange, Enabling knowledge sharing and uptake. As part of the CAP Network Ireland Knowledge Hub, the team are currently focusing on three thematic pilots to identify innovations which are relevant to the Irish Horticulture and Organics sectors, and also an EIP-Agri Innovation Pilot. Horticulture is one of the most carbon efficient sectors in Irish agriculture, with the potential to have further positive impact by expanding environmentally sound practices and applying developing technologies. An overarching goal of the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027 is to grow a more profitable value-added sector driven by sustainability and innovation. The strategy addresses the need for collaboration and emphasizes the importance of innovation for long-term growth. The pilot is exploring potential solutions surrounding growing media, resource efficiency, circularity, crop diversification, policy, collaboration models, and improving farmers position in the marketplace. For the Organics sector, the target set by the Government Plan is to reach 7.5% of the total area cultivated in organic farming by 2027, while the target of the Climate Action Plan is to reach 10% of the total area cultivated in organic farming by 2030. To achieve this, policies and measures are needed to both reduce carbon emissions while increasing the carbon stocks generated by organic production in Ireland. Some of the topics covered in the pilot relate to integrated and holistic practices and methodologies, such as ones to reduce the intake of fertilisers and chemicals into the soil, as well as examples of organic consumption and production models promoted in other countries. EIP-AGRI Operational Groups are groups of people with complementary knowledge who co-create practical solutions for agriculture, forestry and rural communities in an innovation project. Our EIP-Agri Knowledge Transfer Pilot looks to source and share innovative knowledge from past Operational Groups with key stakeholders to encourage uptake and application. This strategic process will also aim to better understand the outcomes and any next steps to progress impactful knowledge. The pilot is currently focused on two thematic calls: Call 5 Stream B Farm and Community Biodiversity, and Call 4 Stream A General Health and Safety. The knowledge collected during the pilots will be shared with experts to determine its potential to address key challenges and gaps facing these sectors and to provide insights into how to bring the knowledge forward for maximum impact. ERINN and the CAP Network team will then map the next steps and work with various stakeholders to accelerate the uptake of the knowledge. Visit the CAP Network Ireland site for further information or contact the ERINN team to discuss how we can support your Knowledge Transfer needs.
- Project News
January 18, 2024
EU project launched to better understand the combined impacts of light and noise pollution on aquatic biodiversity
A new EU project has been launched to improve our comprehension of how biodiversity is being impacted by Light and Noise Pollution (LNP) in aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, coastal and offshore waters. Funded by the Horizon Europe programme, AquaPLAN (Aquatic Pollution from Light and Anthropogenic Noise: Management of Impacts on Biodiversity) aims to quantify the combined impacts of LNP on aquatic biodiversity in European waters and facilitate the implementation of empirically sound strategies for managing these pollutants through novel interdisciplinary approaches. Our understanding of how LNP affects aquatic biodiversity has dramatically improved in recent decades. Evidence suggests that these effects are prevalent globally, in all types of aquatic ecosystems, from rivers and lakes to the seafloor. Despite our growing knowledge and having access to a range of technologies, best practice methodologies and policy interventions, there are still many critical knowledge gaps that, if addressed, would allow us to better manage and reduce these impacts. Project coordinator Prof. Elena Maggi from University of Pisa said: “Currently, existing regulations on the emission of Artificial Light At Night (ALAN) and anthropogenic noise are highly fragmented in inland, coastal and offshore waters. Moreover, we still need good datasets to understand how to monitor, protect and restore aquatic biodiversity effectively”. AquaPLAN will 1) review LNP impacts on aquatic biodiversity, assess local and regional regulator and decision-maker perceptions and their LNP management; 2) identify the mechanisms of LNP and quantify the combined impacts on biodiversity in aquatic habitats; and 3) explore and facilitate new, interdisciplinary management solutions to prevent and mitigate the combined impacts of LNP on aquatic biodiversity. The research teams are engaging with stakeholders for the project’s full duration to tailor their research outputs for applicability, efficiency and direct use, delivering practical tools that will allow regulatory and decision-making bodies along with maritime industries to proactively manage aquatic environments and their biodiversity both at European and international levels. “By engaging with stakeholder experts in aquatic biodiversity, LNP and the maritime industry throughout the project, AquaPLAN will provide sound recommendations on efficient LNP mitigation options as well on how to face potential barriers to their applications” Prof. Maggi added. AquaPLAN launched on 1 January 2024 and will run for four years. It is coordinated by the University of Pisa (UNIPI) and comprises a multi-actor, transdisciplinary team of 13 organisations from 9 countries. The consortium is gathering in Pisa, Italy for the project’s kick-off meeting on 24-25 January 2024. ERINN will lead Work Package 6: Ensuring Impact: Dissemination, Exploitation, Communication & Outreach.
About
ERINN Innovation is a value-driven company owned by the staff who support research and innovation to have impact.
Information
ERINN Innovation Ltd
Company Number: 600883 (Ireland)
Directors
David Murphy (IE/UK)
Laura Richardson (IE)
Marieke Reuver (NL)
Michael Papapetrou (GR/IE)
Reid Hole (NO)
