INVEST BENEFITS FOR STAKEHOLDERS AND STUDENTS
As a group, we believe that INVEST has already created value by connecting students, universities, researchers and regional stakeholders across different countries. It gives access to wider networks, international experience, Living Labs, mobility opportunities, digital platforms and collaborative activities.
For students, the main benefit is access to international learning, mobility, BIPs, short courses, practical projects and real-world challenges. For stakeholders, the benefit is the opportunity to connect with universities, students and researchers, and to bring real regional needs into education and innovation activities.
The most valuable activities so far have been the Living Labs, mobility-related opportunities, international meetings, student and stakeholder reflection sessions, and digital tools that support collaboration and visibility.
The added value of INVEST is that it creates a European framework where local and regional challenges can be addressed through shared knowledge, student involvement, research and practical cooperation.
In the next one to two years, meaningful benefit would mean more visible opportunities, more active student and stakeholder participation, stronger Living Lab activities, more use of digital tools, and concrete collaborations that continue beyond individual events.
Strengthening stakeholder and student involvement
To participate more actively, students and stakeholders need clearer information, earlier communication and easier entry points. It should be simple to understand what INVEST offers, who to contact and how to join an activity.
The main barriers are limited awareness, scattered information, unclear contact points and lack of time. For stakeholders, it is not always clear how they can propose a challenge, host students, contribute to a Living Lab or collaborate with researchers.
The group would like to see stronger involvement in Living Labs, student projects, internships, mobility opportunities, digital tools, stakeholder challenges and regional innovation activities.
Participation would become easier through clearer website sections, local contact persons, regular updates, short information sessions, practical calls for involvement and examples of successful collaborations.
INVEST could better connect interests and needs by mapping what students and stakeholders can offer, what they need, and which alliance activities match those needs.
Overall feedback for INVEST
Overall, we see INVEST as a valuable and relevant initiative. Its main strength is that it connects higher education with regions, students, stakeholders and real societal challenges.
What works well is the international cooperation, the Living Lab approach, the involvement of different types of partners, and the development of joint activities and digital tools.
At the same time, INVEST should become more visible, understandable and accessible. Many opportunities already exist, but they need to be presented more clearly and in a more user-friendly way.
Our key recommendation is to make INVEST easier to enter: one clear place where students, staff and stakeholders can understand the opportunities, find contact points and see how they can participate in concrete activities.