The partners of the PIONEER+ project gathered at the Université de Haute-Alsace (UHA) in Mulhouse, France, for the project’s second onsite meeting, marking an important milestone in its mission to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship across European higher education institutions.
The meeting provided an opportunity for consortium partners to reflect on the progress achieved so far, exchange experiences, and coordinate the next steps of the project. Bringing together representatives from across Europe, the event reinforced the collaborative spirit that lies at the heart of PIONEER+, while creating space for meaningful discussions on how higher education can better equip students, researchers, and academic staff with entrepreneurial skills and an innovation-driven mindset.
The meeting opened with welcoming remarks from Prof. Jocelyne Brendlé of Université de Haute-Alsace and Prof. Adamantia Pateli, Project Coordinator of PIONEER+, followed by the participation of the project’s European Commission Project Officer, Federico Curatolo, who joined discussions on the project’s progress and future direction.
Throughout the day, partners reviewed the achievements delivered during the first phase of the project and discussed upcoming initiatives, including entrepreneurship training programmes, mentoring activities, digital learning opportunities, innovation support services, and collaborative actions designed to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems within participating higher education institutions.
Beyond reviewing progress, the meeting served as a platform for sharing experiences, identifying opportunities for improvement, and exploring innovative approaches that will maximise the project’s long-term impact. Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring that the knowledge, tools, and educational resources developed through PIONEER+ continue to benefit students, educators, researchers, and aspiring entrepreneurs well beyond the project’s lifetime.
One of the highlights of the meeting was the discussion around the project’s Most Significant Change (MSC) stories, allowing partners to reflect on the tangible changes already taking place within their institutions. These conversations showcased how PIONEER+ is not only delivering activities but also contributing to a broader cultural shift towards innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurial thinking in higher education.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continue working closely towards the project’s common goals and to further strengthen collaboration across the consortium. Immediately following the meeting, partners participated in a joint networking workshop with the LOTUS Project, reinforcing the importance of building synergies across projects funded by the EIT Higher Education Initiative. The workshop created valuable opportunities to exchange knowledge, discuss shared challenges, and identify future collaborative actions that will amplify the impact of both initiatives.
As PIONEER+ moves into its next phase, the consortium remains committed to empowering higher education institutions to become stronger drivers of innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation, contributing to a more connected and resilient European innovation ecosystem.