From pilot actions to transferable impact
Over three years, Capacity2Transform focused on strengthening transformation capacity across Central Europe by connecting SMEs, Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs), Business Support Organisations (BSOs), public authorities and research actors.
The project delivered tangible results:
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Over 2,900 stakeholders engaged
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94 Digital–Green–Creative solutions developed
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12 regional co-creation workshops and 5 transnational sessions implemented
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10 concrete DGC solutions promoted
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Practical toolboxes and guidelines for ecosystem-level upskilling
The conference provided an opportunity to reflect not only on these achievements, but on how they can be embedded into regional structures beyond project funding.
Keynote: Skills as drivers of transformation
The event opened with a keynote by Dr. Kati Uusi-Rauva (EIT Culture & Creativity North), who emphasised that transformation is fundamentally competence-driven. Green and digital technologies alone do not ensure change — it is the development of creative, entrepreneurial and sustainability skills that enables adoption and systemic impact.
This message resonated throughout the day: transformation requires structured capacity-building and cross-sector collaboration.
8 projects – 8 skill pathways
The conference also brought together seven additional Interreg projects: CCSI4CCSI, CYANOTYPES, GreenCCircle, GREENPACT, GREENSMES, #RomansWineDanube and SMERF.
During the fire-pitching session “8 projects – 8 skill pathways,” each initiative presented complementary approaches to strengthening skills, sustainability and ecosystem resilience.
Panel discussions addressed:
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transferring project results to SMEs and end-users,
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stakeholder testimonials and behavioural change,
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emerging skills for future green and digital transitions,
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ensuring legacy and sustainability beyond project lifetime.
Interactive workshops provided hands-on insights into methodologies that can be replicated in other regions.
Making knowledge visible
Throughout the day, graphic facilitator Kathrin Werner visually documented the discussions in two large-scale graphic recordings. These visual summaries captured the core ideas of the conference and reinforced its central message: transformation becomes meaningful only when skills, cooperation and structural support are aligned.
Looking ahead
The Transferability Conference was not a closing ceremony, but a transition point. The MediaFactory and KnowledgeFactory platforms remain active, ensuring continued access to tools, insights and collaboration opportunities.
Capacity2Transform demonstrates that Central Europe’s green and digital future depends not only on innovation, but on collective transformation capacity.
Photo credit: Steinbeis Europa Zentrum