Abstract:

In this work the main experiences and results from the Horizon Europe AeroSTREAM project are shown, as an example of good practice and a framework for replication in other sectors. Building on H2020 AeroTwin project, which focused on reducing the existing gap between universities in the so-called 'widening countries’ and European technology leaders in the field of aerial robotics, AeroSTREAM project is conceived as an effort to stream AeroTwin positive effects on a network of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to enlarge capacity for research and innovation, and to prepare and establish a long lasting and integrated cooperation between those institutions and their partners in the local ecosystem. The long lasting and integrated cooperation between institutions has been established in the field of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) applications, with emphasis on smart agriculture, forestry, and logistics. In order to achieve the project objectives, an innovative and integrating cooperation framework has been designed for the different actors involved, including researchers, technology centres, industries, SMEs, public institutions, Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH), among others. The designed integrated cooperation framework includes the following activities:
i) staff exchanges in the form of short-term visits,
ii) expert visits,
iii) workshops and tutorials at leading conferences,
iv) hands-on training,
v) innovation management and technology transfer training, and
vi) mentoring by leading scientists, which will encourage talented students to stay in the widening countries, which in turn will improve the countries' networking and reputation in general.

As a result, the scientific and innovation capacities of all actors in the R&I system in the widening countries have increased, leading to a modernized and more competitive R&I system, stronger links between academia and business, better career permeability and improved international outreach for all actors. The main novelty of this work is the multidisciplinary collaboration between the enlargement countries and the European technology leaders in the field of aerial robotics, one of the most promising and widely applied sectors today. In addition to the application of knowledge to several sectors and the creation of a unique framework for cooperation at European level between different types of entities and actors from different sectors.

Keywords:

Widening countries, Industry cooperation, Aerial robotics, Research Excellence.