Second General Assembly in Skopje, North Macedonia (June 3rd - 5th, 2025.)

The INITIATE project partners gathered for the 2nd General Assembly from June 3rd to 5th, 2025 in Skopje, North Macedonia, hosted by the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies (FEEIT) at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University. The three-day meeting marked a crucial checkpoint in the project’s development, offering a platform to review progress, foster collaboration, and align on strategies for the months ahead.

Day 1: Reviewing Progress Across Work Packages

The assembly began with institutional greetings and a recap of the project's progress over the past 16 months. Partners presented updates across all seven work packages, highlighting key deliverables, achieved milestones, and next steps:

• WP2 focused on institutional transformation tools, including the web-based Investment Advisor and the INITIATE Knowledge Base, with an emphasis on refining data collection processes for institutional KPIs.
• WP3 showcased the development of user-centered training materials and the Knowledge Hub, incorporating videos and webinars to support green and digital transition capacities.
• In WP4, partners discussed insights from the R&I Labs conducted so far, evaluation mechanisms, and plans to map and replicate lessons learned.
• WP5 presented pilot implementation updates, including the establishment of new labs and energy-efficiency upgrades. Notably, ISCTE introduced its Business Analytics & Data Science Lab, and UKIM outlined progress on forming the Smart Energy Systems Group (SESG).
• Dissemination strategies (WP6) focused on extending project visibility, including upcoming publications, conference presence, and the development of a Stakeholder Engagement Plan.
• Project coordination efforts under WP7 ensured alignment on internal communications, reporting obligations, and upcoming deliverables.

The first day concluded with a dinner in Skopje’s vibrant cultural setting, offering a relaxed backdrop for further networking.

Day 2: Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing

The second day opened with financial and administrative updates before transitioning into an interdisciplinary session on green transition and digital transformation in higher education. Partners engaged in interactive discussions, including a panel on building content for the INITIATE Knowledge Hub.

Highlights included:

• A demonstration of the Knowledge Hub, with insights on integrating training content.
• Partner contributions to defining interdisciplinary pathways using real-world examples like drone technology.
• A guided tour of UKIM’s pilot site, where ongoing research and infrastructure developments were presented.

Day 3: Bridging Policy and Innovation

The third day featured the INITIATE R&I Lab session titled “Bridging Policy and Innovation: Research and Funding Synergies,” focusing on national and EU-level policy landscapes:

• UKIM presented North Macedonia’s R&I ecosystem, including the vision for the INNOFEIT Living Lab.
• A networking session encouraged cross-institutional exchange of ongoing R&I initiatives.
• A detailed session on funding opportunities (Life Programme, Horizon Europe, Interreg Adrion) sparked discussions on potential collaborative proposals.

The day ended with a workshop on Marie Skłodowska-Curie Staff Exchange (MSCA) programs, offering participants a survey to guide future applications.

Key Takeaways

• Strong progress across all work packages confirms that INITIATE is on track.
• The Knowledge Base and Knowledge Hub are evolving into critical tools for institutional transformation.
• Pilot site activities are diversifying and gaining progress.
• Alignment between policy, innovation, and funding is vital—especially in emerging R&I landscapes like North Macedonia.
• Continuous collaboration and communication among partners remain crucial as the project moves toward its next milestones.

With the next General Assembly scheduled for December 2025 in Zagreb, partners left Skopje motivated and united by shared goals and strengthened networks.