Innovation Labs: Erasmus KA2 + Strategic Partnerships (Adult Education).

INNOLABS project partners included Stichting NHL (Netherlands), Aalborg University (Denmark), Cyprus University of Technology and Interfusion Services Ltd. (Cyprus), Estonian Academy of Arts and Stockholm Environment Institute Tallinn Centre (Estonia), and Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (Latvia).

The project has managed the following activities:

• Getting to know and exchanging information on the innovation labs and the best practices of design education and action models in universities in Holland and Denmark.
• Analysis of the innovation and design activities of different countries. Creation of methodological guidance materials.
• Creating Innovation Labs in the universities participating in the project where design studies will be carried out in close collaboration with enterprises and scientists.
• Practical and project-based university courses will be created concentrating on the teaching of sustainable design skills in universitites.
• As part of the courses, projects will be carried out during which students will receive knowledge and practical skills to carry through the different stages of product/service development starting with the generation of ideas and definition of problems to prototypes, testing and implementation.
• Dissemination of the project activities and results.

INNOLAB’s workings have resulted in the creation and transfer of innovation and design platforms (Design Factory), already existing in many leading universities around the world. The Design Factory has provided the link between product development and design studies with practice, bringing together scientists, students and entrepreneurs.

Also, in collaboration with SEI Tallinn and the researchers involved new courses have been developed within the participating institutes allowing students to aquire knowledge about the functioning principles of sustainable entrepreneurship as well as the methods of sustainable product development and design. An important part of the study process is the implementation of product/service development projects.

The project has been supported by the Erasmus + programme.

See project Innovation Labs: Erasmus KA2 + Strategic Partnerships (Adult Education).