Project overview
Boosting industrial transition by activating soft innovation skills and stimulating pioneer spirit
Industrial regions in central Europe are amidst a heavy transformation of their economic and social base. It is especially the non-metropolitan regions who must change profoundly in response to global economic trends, political demands, and structural disadvantages. The X-Inno Radar project increases their agility and innovativeness by strengthening soft skills. The partners jointly apply a new place-based approach, which centers around transversal skills, maker skills, and pioneer skills. After regional screenings and a conceptualisation phase, they pilot novel approaches for strengthening and expanding soft skills capacities. Key findings are then transferred to relevant stakeholders throughout Europe.
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2,38m €
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Project Budget
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80%
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of the Budget is funded by ERDF
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8
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Countries
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9
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Regions
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10
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Partners
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4
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Pilots
Duration
Start date
End date
Project progress
About the project
- Transversal skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, communication, empathy and adaptability
- Maker skills such as improvisation, inventiveness and iterative design thinking
- Entrepreneurial skills such as initiative-taking, innovation, opportunity recognition, strategic thinking, risk-taking and networking
You can follow regional developments for The scientific portals from our reflective partners:
Project partnership
Project partners
Lead partner
Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography
Project partner
40201 Linz
Promotion and Territorial Development Projects Unit
35137 Padova
Program Department
Roadmap
Our challenge
Industrial regions in central Europe are undergoing a heavy transformation in both their economic and social landscapes. Non-metropolitan regions, in particular, have to adapt to keep pace with global trends, political shifts, and structural challenges. Historically, these regions have relied on technological advancements to remain competitive. However, the current transition demands more than just hard skills!
Soft skills to the rescue?
While technological skills remain essential, soft skills become more urgent. Did you know that demonstrating willingness to learn (26.2%), collaborating (21.4%) and working efficiently (15.6%) are the most requested skills in online job ads?* Soft skills like creativity, adaptability and communication are key to stay innovative on a personal level. It seems the same is true for industrial regions! * Source: CEDEFOP - Most requested skills in online job ads in EU27 in 2023
Our idea
Our vision is to strengthen the development of soft skills in non-metropolitan industrial regions to boost innovation and sustainable growth.
Our solution
x-Inno Radar takes a broad, hands-on approach to building soft skills in industrial regions. By bringing together local experts and encouraging cross-sectoral collaboration, the initiative helps regions adapt to change and unlock hidden innovation potential. As an additional result, we aim to create a stronger, more connected industrial community.
How it works: Phase 1 - Screening
Regional expert focus groups are set up by every partner. These are advisory boards for grounding the project in the regions. A soft skill survey detects the gaps and needs in the industrial region. Results are published in a compiling overview.
Phase 2 - Putting data into action
Conceptualising pilot actions - Implementing pilot actions - Deriving practice blueprints
Phase 3 - Strategic anchoring
Setting up and influencing strategies - Gaining commitment - Spreading findings
News
Events
Pilot actions
Outputs
Regional strategies
Transnational soft skill recommendations for industrial regions
x-Inno Radar toolbase
x-Inno blueprints
Project documents
x-Inno Radar campagne
x-Inno Radar
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