Results

Deliverables

Within the framework of the EXPER project, the main objective of work package one (WP1. Regional ecosystems assessment and cooperation models) is to assess regional ecosystems of the HEI widening partners (ULPGC and UAC) to identify barriers at institutional/regional and national level, which could hamper HEIs’ potential role as driver of regional development and competitiveness.

The European University Alliances (EUA) Best Practices Catalogue presents a comprehensive overview of valuable insights derived from existing EUA, focusing on the integration of research, innovation, education, and training dimensions.

This deliverable details the individual and joint action plans for the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) and the University of the Azores (UAc). The plans were developed based on an assessment of the universities’ current situation and a SWOT analysis. The main objective of this document is to outline the actions needed to achieve the project’s strategic goals in three key areas: excellent and responsible research, attraction and retention of talent, and knowledge and technology transfer. This report serves as a detailed roadmap for the two institutions to effectively advance their capabilities and meet the objectives of the EXPER project.

This report, a key deliverable from the EXPER project’s Work Package 3, outlines good practices for implementing the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) and improving career conditions for researchers. It shares good practices from the University of Calabria (UNICAL) with the University of the Azores (UAc) and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC). The primary goal is to help these two universities attract and retain research talent by improving working conditions and facilitating the mobility of staff, researchers, and students. The document also details the strategic approach and outcomes of adopting the HRS4R, which is an initiative by the European Commission to certify an institution’s commitment to implementing the principles of the European Charter for Researchers. It presents UNICAL’s support in launching the initial phases of the strategy at UAc and advancing the implementation at ULPGC. The report highlights the benefits of HRS4R, such as creating an attractive career environment, strengthening attraction and mobility, and increasing international visibility and credibility.

This report, a deliverable from the EXPER project’s Work Package 4, focuses on identifying, establishing, and coordinating two Societal Challenges Working Groups (SCWGs) and their thematic action plans. The groups are focused on “Adaptation to Climate Change in the blue and/or circular economy” and “Restore our Ocean and Waters in the blue and/or circular economy”. The purpose of these groups is to foster long-term collaboration and networking among researchers and other stakeholders, ultimately developing new research proposals, including for Horizon Europe funding. The work is aligned with key European strategies and goals, including the EU Horizon Europe Missions, the RIS3 strategies of the Canary Islands and the Azores, and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This report, a key deliverable for the EXPER project under the Horizon Europe Programme, details the Capacity Building Plan (CBP) and reports on the capacity-building activities implemented by the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) and the University of the Azores (UAc). The document focuses on enhancing the skills of staff and their surrounding ecosystems to promote institutional transformation and modernise structures for better research and innovation outcomes. The plan addresses three main pillars: attracting and retaining talent (WP3), promoting excellent and responsible research (WP4), and enhancing knowledge and technology transfer (KTT) and connections with the business environment (WP5). Ultimately, the initiatives outlined in this report are designed to foster sustainable growth and improve the well-being of the inhabitants of these outermost European regions.

One of the capital objectives of the EXPER project consists of fostering and catalyzing the transformation of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain) and the University of the Azores (Portugal), through capacity-building activities and international cooperation with the leading Universities of Rostock University (Germany) and Calabria University (Italy). In this regard, the activities carried out in the first twelve months of project implementation (October 2022 to September 2023) have focused on WP1 Regional ecosystems assessment and cooperation models and WP2 Co-designing modernization with surrounding ecosystems.

This deliverable, part of the EXPER project, provides a comprehensive set of recommendations for establishing permanent spin-off support offices in the Azores and Canary Islands. The report addresses key legal, administrative, and economic challenges that hinder the creation and growth of spin-offs in these regions. It offers a detailed roadmap for creating a favourable environment for academic entrepreneurship by improving administrative efficiency, optimising regulatory frameworks, and fostering strategic collaboration with local stakeholders. The recommendations are closely aligned with the Smart Specialisation Strategies (RIS3) of the Azores and the Canary Islands, with the ultimate goal of strengthening regional innovation, fostering a dynamic entrepreneurial culture, and contributing to long-term economic growth.

This report, a deliverable from the EXPER project, outlines the strategy for creating a dedicated online forum for universities in Europe’s Outermost Regions (ORs). The primary goal is to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange by providing a platform for institutions like the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) and the University of the Azores (UAc) to discuss shared challenges and good practices. The document details the methodology, which includes conducting interviews with representatives from various ORs to identify recurring issues and potential solutions. The forum will focus on four key areas: university modernisation, international cooperation, innovation-based development models, and increasing research excellence. Ultimately, this initiative is designed to help these universities address common barriers and enhance their overall excellence within the European Research Area.

This final report for the EXPER project, a HORIZON Coordination and Support Action, provides a comprehensive overview and impact assessment of its activities from October 2022 to March 2025. The project aimed to promote institutional transformation at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the University of the Azores. The document evaluates key initiatives across three work packages, including attracting and retaining talent, promoting excellence and responsible research, and enhancing the connection with the business environment. It uses predefined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor and assess the effectiveness of these strategic actions, confirming that the project’s outcomes align with the strategic commitments set by the European Commission.

This report constitutes the deliverable “D7.2 Project Website” of the EXPER project. This is one of four deliverables associated with Work Package (WP) 7 “Dissemination”. The document has been prepared by Consulta Europa and reviewed by the project Steering Committee (SC).

A suite of promotional materials has been developed by Consulta Europa (CE) and it will be used as part of the EXPER project’s dissemination and communication activities to bring additional awareness to both the initiative and the results achieved throughout the project. This document covers the initial set of promotional materials prepared to propagate and raise awareness with stakeholders and end-users as the visual communication actions planned for EXPER by M6 and more can be created according to throughout the duration of the project. The development of these materials is one of the four deliverables associated with Work Package Seven (WP7) on Dissemination, highlighting the importance the project places on effective communication and outreach efforts.

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the communication campaigns and dissemination events carried out for the EXPER project. It details the outcomes of various activities, including digital tools, social media engagement, and traditional dissemination methods, which were all used to enhance the project’s visibility and impact. The document also serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding the methodologies and impact of the project’s communication efforts. The report highlights that the project successfully met or exceeded its dissemination and communication targets by actively engaging stakeholders through digital platforms and events and by producing relevant materials.

This report is a deliverable from Work Package 7, which focuses on dissemination. The EXPER project’s goal was to foster institutional transformation and enhance scientific excellence at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the University of the Azores. It also provides information on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), such as the number of press releases published, newsletters issued, and social media followers across different platforms. The project’s website received over 12,954 visits and 32,043 interactions, demonstrating a high level of interest.