SUSTAINABLE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Sustainable regional development
INVEST focuses on the knowledge, skills, and mindsets needed for sustainable regional development—combining entrepreneurship and leadership with independent, critical thinking, civic responsibility, and a commitment to sustainability. Our work is organized around three focal points:
Focal Point A: Water–Energy–Food–Environment (WEFE) Nexus
- Climate-resilient regional development
- Sustainable, smart agriculture
- Aquaculture and the blue economy
- Food security and nutrition
- Food safety and quality
- Integrated water resources management
- Energy transition and renewables
- Green energies and efficiency
- Natural and cultural heritage conservation
Focal Point B: Quality of Life
- Education and capacity building
- Urban–rural cohesion and connectivity
- European citizenship, inclusion, and participation
- High-quality public services (health, transport, digital, culture)
Focal Point C: Entrepreneurship
- Circular and bio-based economy
- Job creation, talent development, and human capital management
- New business models and smart technologies
- Start-up and scale-up support, regional innovation ecosystems
- Sustainability-driven entrepreneurship and bio-based industries