Braga is the 3rd largest city in Portugal, following Lisbon and Porto. Its strategic location provides excellent accessibility, placing it less than an hour from both Porto and Vigo (in Galicia, Spain). Over the last 10 years Braga more than doubled its exportations, that represent today over 2,4% of the overall National Exportations. This is due to a highly qualified industrial fabric with more than 26.000 companies. Braga's strong demographic growth (>17,74%) reflects its expanding job market and sustained attractiveness to investors. In addition to its resident population, the city accommodates more than 28,000 daily commuters. Over the last 10 years, the foreign resident population in Braga has increased by 78%. But how has Braga achieved so much is only 10 years? Braga developed, since 2014, a robust public policy aimed at promoting sustainable development that integrate environmental stewardship, economic vitality, social equity, and cultural richness. To achieve it, Braga created: (1) A unique Governance Model that guaranteed the creation of different interfaces (Strategic Councils) that support a holistic growth of the city, ensuring that Braga could be liveable, resilient, and thriving for all residents; (2) Strategic Local Action Plans on various topics through collaborative work within the proposed Governance Model. Initially tested in 2014 in the field of Economic Development, the model was refined based and has been implemented across all public policies; (3) A Culture of Cocreation between partners and the idea that Braga is a Living Lab to generate innovative public policies that can be tested in a real environment. These elements work together to make Braga environmentally sustainable, economically vibrant, socially inclusive, and culturally rich, setting a strong foundation for the well-being of our current and future generations. Braga, a Sustainable Reinvention with very positive and impactful results to our citizens quality of life.

<< Background >>THE CHALLENGEHUMANS“In learning processes, as machines become better at rote tasks, humans will need to focus on the skills that remain unique to them: creativity, collaboration, communication and problem-solving” - Karen Hao (Taught by AI) CURRENT PERFORMANCEWe believe our project is closely linked to the ability of young people for critical thinking and connecting theory with practice. With its format and MO, INNOVATORY aims to tackle the reversal of this trend through creativity, collaboration and communication which develop skills of young people that allow their performance to improve in the key. Students from Romania, Portugal, Serbia, Greece and Slovenia are on a descendent trend in the PISA 2018 tests compared to both 2015 and 2012 results, Lithuania being the only exception to this scenario. Most of the countries are being classified as level 2 in all three domains.(see detailed PISA performance in the 6 partner countries attached)Complementary, data showed youth aged 15-17 wish they were also equipped with life skills and better training of their teachers in order to transversally help in developing these skills. The consulted stakeholders shared this view, along with the impression that schools are not equipped with the proper methods and tools to stimulate creativity and critical thinking. (LEAP Cluj 2020)SKILLS, TODAY AND TOMORROWDebates regarding the future of work resound through society in the light of the emerging AI or what knowledge will be valid in one or two decades. However, there is no debate on the fact that critical thinking, ability to work in teams, problem-solving skills, creativity and new ways of applied learning won’t lose their relevance and utility.CRISIS AND RESILIENCEResilience was already becoming a theme of interest for urban areas, and the COVID-19 pandemic provided an additional argument. Communities around the world need to adapt, find new ways of dealing with crises and provide solutions to capital challenges. While the focus now is on short term solutions, the long-term sustainability through resilience lies in a widespread of skills through which crises can be managed. And this perspective starts with today’s teenagers as the key decision-making generation.<< Objectives >>GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND TARGET GROUPSWe aim to create European Innovatory, a European movement of 840 high-school pupils, 70 teachers, 50 experts and decision-makers involved in a creative and collaborative learning process identifying needs and problems in society and providing creative solutions on local and European level based on the method of Design Thinking until 2024.We aim for:• involving high-school pupils (aged 14-18) and their teachers from 7 urban areas in developing their critical thinking, creative and problem-solving skills and proactive attitude in a creative and collaborative environment, in a safe space where they can try themselves out while receiving proactive feedback while also improving teacher-pupil working relationships through the creation of 210 creative teams,• developing a creative way of promoting the creative and proactive problem-solving potential of young people towards local stakeholders and decision-makers involved in urban development locally, and overall community development at European level,• creating a Europe-wide proactive scalable learning movement based on social innovation and Design Thinking as key aspects of building individual and community resilience leading to a sustainable transformation in society, involving 840 pupils, 70 teachers and additional 150 experts, mentors and stakeholders,• creating sustainable cooperation, management and decision-making platform involving 7 starting cities and 10 additional European stakeholders aiming to take care of the results of the project including its consolidation as a European programme and movement and a scalable model in Europe and the world.<< Implementation >>A1 General management – full project periodProvides the general management activities and the monitoring of the progress. It also refers to organisational costs of the coordinator and each partner (office costs, stationary, partial salaries of administrative personnel, delegations and trips for the dissemination of the project in the country and abroad).Coordinator: project coordinatorA2 Accounting – full project periodFilling and financial management, according to the clauses of the financial agreement and its annexes.C: accountant/partner, supervised by the financial coordinatorA3 Project launch communication – 1st monthA special activity focusing on announcing the start of the project (objectives, timeframe and expected results), in 7 languages for enhanced acces. C: communication coordinator with partner coordinatorsA4 Dissemination on O1 and the launch of Local Innovatory actions – 6th monthWhen concluding O1, we will conduct a detailed, mostly institutional campaign, presenting the overall framework and next steps, aiming to raise interest towards the process, including local and European action. The public call for teachers will be launched.A5 Intermediate evaluation 1 – 8th monthIntermediate evaluation is conducted before and during the 3rd project meeting and it sums up activities and performance for the first 6 months, especially concerning the creation of O1 and the selection of teachers for the second output. The intermediate evaluation is conducted by a layman involved in the project.A6 Dissemination on O2 – 11th monthE1-E7 (happening simultaneously) are concluded with the dissemination of O2. We will address a wide range of audience and will focus on the simultaneity of the processes and the 200+ generated solutions by the teams. C: communication coordinatorA7 Intermediate evaluation 2 – 12th monthIntermediate evaluation is prepared during the 4th project meeting and it sums up activities and performance, especially concerning the creation of O2. It is done jointly by all partners. C: project coordinatorA8 Dissemination on O3 – 20th monthDissemination of O3 occurs in connection with the European SpeakOut Day and comes as a completion to the third multiplier event of the project, to be held in Cluj-Napoca, city hosting the overall project coordination. The dissemination uses a set of tools and targets a wide range of audiences, as it is presented in the special section dedicated to dissemination activities. C: communication coordinatorA9 Institutional dissemination – 21-23rd monthThis dissemination activity will focus on presenting all intellectual outputs and other results of the project through institutional channels. In this process, we will use institutional e-mail communication, but the management team will also organise a dissemination tour to Brussels and Strasbourg in order to meet key stakeholders. Visits to our associated partners will also be deployed during the last three months of the project.A10 Final evaluation and sustainability planning – 23rd monthFinal evaluation is conducted during and after the last project meeting. We will use the reporting period to enable a broad debriefing among partners and to plan future action and scaling of project results. Final evaluation also sets conditions for impact monitoring and draws up a sustainability plan for the results of the project.A11 Final communication on the project and results – 23rd monthA summary communication of the project’s results is published which provides a summary of all outputs and outcomes and it also reflects on the impact, continuation of the project and the sustainability of results. This communication will be done mostly through online tools on the internet, through e-mail and social networks.<< Results >>CAUSES OF THE CHALLENGELACK OF SOFT SKILL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLSIf one takes a glance at a weekly class schedule of European pupil in the countries involved in this project, it is shocking how any soft skills curricula is missing. Although these skills can be gained through involvement in non-formal learning activities, the burden of a school programme hardly allows a real chance in acquiring these skills without impacting one’s grades. OLD WAYS OF TEACHINGTeaching knowledge is still a mostly one-way process while validation is done with grades based on reproducing memorised information. However, the growing number of teachers trying to bring additional non-formal methods into their work is an opening. OPPORTUNITY IN DIGITAL, FOCUS ON HUMAN SKILLSAs Karen Hao expresses it quite simply, no matter of advance in technology, humans will need creativity, collaboration, communication and problem-solving skills. As Internet is relatively cheap and accessible, quality is good, there is an opportunity to deploy creative learning and collaboration processes supported by up-to-date digital solutions. There is a real opening for enabling a creative and collaborative environment focusing on problem-solving and enabling communication towards stakeholders.We aim to achieve the following results:AT OUTPUT LEVEL* the creation of an overall European Innovatory Framework comprising of an overarching context, a resolution on the needs of skills development, an open methodology for implementation at local level, an open platform supporting overall awareness, dissemination and enabling, recording and tracking of cooperation between teachers, young people, mentors and stakeholders,* the delivery of 7 Local Innovatory actions resulting in the creation of a total of 210 creative solutions developed by young people to problems and needs in their surrounding and society in general,* the delivery of 14 innovative solutions developed by young people, improved to the level of business cases ready for implementation on European level,* the formation of 210 working teams in which high-school pupils and teachers work together in developing their skills and competencies through Design Thinking,* the formation of Local Innovatory support networks involving teachers, stakeholders, decision-makers, their working ways being captured in 7 specific city-level study cases,AT OUTCOME LEVEL* 840 young people involved through 210 teams in innovative ways of developing skills and competencies regarding creativity, problem-solving, collaboration and communication,* (at least) 84 young people from fewer opportunities provided with an equal chance of developing they skills and competencies in a similar way to their peers involved in Innovatory,* 70 teachers with developed skills and competencies regarding creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, communication and facilitation involved in a pool of teachers supporting the skill development of young people, organised in local networks but also as part of a European movement,* 150 experts, mentors and coordinators are involved in supporting teachers and pupils themselves in developing new ways of collaboration in education processes aiming to develop skills and competencies of young people,* 7 local networks of stakeholders are created in support of young people’s skills development.* sustainability conditions are met for the continuation of the 7 initial Local Innovatory processes from 2024 on,* 30 more cities express their intent to adapt and deliver Local Innovatory starting from 2024.* a European Innovatory model and open movement is created for the support of skills development, able to extend and involve other cities and their local communities,* an enhanced cooperation of cities in the framework of the Network of European Youth Capitals and including a renewed commitment considering youth as a key priority in shaping the future of these cities in the long term.

Deliver sAfe and Social Housing - Housing is an important point of reference for citizens; the home is more than a physical framework for daily life: It is the social focal point of life through its contextual location and the relations it possesses. A proper and well-functioning home at an affordable price is of major importance for the individual. Good and healthy housing in attractive environments gives the residents and especially the children optimal opportunities to achieve a high standard of living and opportunities in life. Living in sub-standarHousing is an important point of reference for citizens; the home is more than a physical framework for daily life: It is the social focal point of life through its contextual location and the relations it possesses. A proper and well-functioning home at an affordable price is of major importance for the individual. Good and healthy housing in attractive environments gives the residents and especially the children optimal opportunities to achieve a high standard of living and opportunities in life. Living in sub-standard housing in difficult environments leads to inferior opportunities in life. Thus, housing policy has major impact on society and individuals. European societies are dynamic entities influenced by social, economic, demographic, and cultural influences. Recent decades have seen increasing social inequalities, more diverse demographic patterns, and changing preferences for big city life. Overall, the existing housing system and housing type are challenged; the need for large family homes is reduced when the proportion of families with children is significantly reduced. On the other hand, the need for smaller homes for singles and couples without children is increasing. In addition, there are growing regional differences in housing needs across Member States; while especially large cities are experiencing tremendous pressure on the housing market, the housing market in peripheral rural areas has stalled.

Based upon the finding from IMAILE PCP of Innovative STEM/PLE (www.imaile.eu), the project LEARNTECH ACCELERATOR ( LEA) will take a quantum leap from being one standalone project to critical mass of European procurers who will: 1. Unify LEA procurers network and "Observer Cities " 2. Implement IMAILE PCP lessons learned as LEA baseline 3. Recommend a LEARNTECH Demand policy - 2030 to reduce fragmentation of the public sector 4. Enable increased dialogue between demand/ supply side 5. Provide transfer of knowledge for the LEARNTECH community ( other procurers, industry, start-ups , end - users and policy level) in order to remove barriers of innovative procurement 6. Prepare one PPI ( based upon IMAILE) and one additional future PCP 7. Speed up awareness rising of innovative procurement including cross sectorial value chains LEA WP- METHODOLOGY is developed in order to achieve the above mentioned objectives and with focus to "ACCELERATE": - LEA network collaboration ( WP 2) - Demand policy recommendations ( WP 3) - Dialogue tools/ venues between demand & supply side ( WP 4) - Knowledge transfer within the community ( WP5) - Awareness rising on EU level ( WP 6) This unified and knowledge based action will result in the LEA ROADMAP 2030 including: -Critical mass of European procurers of LEARNTECH in collaboration acting first customers -User cases for evidence of cost& time saving/ standardization/ interoperability as results of innovative procurement -2030 LEARNTECH market foresight and demand policy -Training material/methods/tools for increased competence and dynamic dialogue among LEARNTECH community -One prepared PPI absed upon IMAILE with lessons learned - One addtional prepared PCP identified in LEA Implementation of the LEA project shall contribute to SMART, INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE DEMAND BASED DEVELOPMENT OF LEARNING TECHNOLOGY

SYSTEMEU is an initiative aimed at transforming European innovation ecosystems through open innovation by fostering digitalization in healthcare, energy, and mobility. It unites five regional ecosystems, fostering inclusivity and collaboration among universities, incubators, public organizations, government agencies, and innovation centers from Germany, Romania, Portugal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Spain. SYSTEMEU addresses the issue of traditional innovation efforts' limited focus on societal and environmental transformation, introducing a systemic and long-term perspective. By fostering a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, SYSTEMEU will enable adaptable policies and stimulate economic vibrancy, enhancing societal well-being and advancing European innovation. SYSTEMEU promises to create interconnected, inclusive, and more efficient innovation ecosystems, strengthen cross-border network collaboration through six cross-regional projects in project duration and others after the project end, expand global cooperation through existing networks of European actors and ecosystems, promote gender equality, and reduce territorial inequalities in access to innovation support, aligning with EU policies and strategies. SYSTEMEU's innovative approach aims to usher Europe into a regenerative world.