BLATEUS as a community partner in the GAEA project

MANTIS | Greece

Project GAEA | HORIZON Europe

The GAEA (Green Alternatives for European Autonomy Challenge) project was set up in response to the underdeveloped entrepreneurial ecosystems in the countries participating in the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS). In these countries, there is often a "brain drain" and a lack of innovative teams and projects, which limits regional innovation potential. The GAEA project aims to strengthen regional entrepreneurial ecosystems by engaging students and local talent in regional and inter-regional competitions for innovative ideas. The project builds on the successful experience of the Greentech Challenge in Greece, but broadens its scope to focus on European autonomy, in the context of international challenges such as the consequences of the war in Ukraine. GAEA connects regional ecosystems in a cross-cultural initiative with the ambition to support their long-term development beyond the 28-month project. GAEA aims to improve the entrepreneurial skills of youth in countries with moderate innovation capacity. Through cooperation between educational institutions and private companies, the project aims to support the organic growth of innovation ecosystems in eight countries (Greece, Lithuania, Slovakia, Latvia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Serbia and Poland). The project is implemented in two phases, regional and inter-regional, and aims to bring student ideas and projects to the market, improve the flow of innovation between regions and accelerate the development of regional entrepreneurial ecosystems.

BALTEUS role in the GAEA project

BALTEUS was engaged in the GAEA project as a community partner with a focus on supporting and developing innovative projects in the field of green technology in Slovakia. Our role consisted of spreading awareness about the project, actively searching for talents and teams that could contribute their ideas, and providing support in the preparation of projects for the competition. As the Slovak partner, we helped the participants not only with the preparation of project plans, but also with team formation and facilitating cooperation between academia and business. Our goal was to strengthen the entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems in the Slovak Republic and contribute to the development of sustainable solutions that will support Europe's environmental autonomy.

Slovak regional competition

The Slovak regional competition within the GAEA project took place on 28 June 2024. 17 teams (57 participants) took part in the competition and presented their innovative ideas in the field of green technology and sustainable solutions. Each team presented their project to an expert jury who evaluated the originality of the ideas, the technical solutions and their contribution to environmental sustainability. The best teams advanced to the inter-regional phase of the competition, where they will get the opportunity to compare their innovations with other projects from the countries involved in the GAEA project. BALTEUS, as the Slovak partner of the project, provided not only organizational support, but also mentoring and guidance for the competing teams, thus contributing to their successful integration into the wider European innovation ecosystem.

Visit of KOMA MODULAR

As part of the GAEA project, we organised an exclusive visit to KOMA MODULAR, a leading innovator in modular construction, on 16 August 2024. Based in Vizovice, Czech Republic, this company is one of the leaders in sustainable and rapidly implementable modular architecture. The visit provided participants with a unique insight into the technological processes and innovations that KOMA MODULAR uses to produce modular buildings for a variety of purposes - from commercial and office buildings to public infrastructure. Participants had the opportunity to see first-hand how modular construction can respond to market needs while combining flexibility, sustainability and efficiency. The visit also included a tour of the manufacturing plant, where participants were able to see how individual modules are designed, manufactured and prepared for assembly. The visit was a great inspiration for the participants and opened up new possibilities for applying innovative and eco-friendly solutions in their own projects. BALTEUS, as the Slovak partner of the GAEA project, provided the entire organisation of the visit and logistical support for the participants, thus facilitating the link between theoretical knowledge and practical experience.

Ongoing phase 2 of the GAEA project:

Following the successful completion of the regional competitions, the GAEA competition has entered its second phase, which focuses on inter-regional competition. In this phase, the best teams from each participating country will come together to present their innovative solutions in a wider European context. Phase 2 represents a critical step in the process, as it allows teams to share their ideas, get feedback from international experts and prepare to bring their projects to market. The aim of this phase is not only to compare innovations from different countries, but also to foster cross-collaboration between students, academic institutions and the private sector. Ongoing activities include intensive mentoring, workshops and bootcamps focusing on entrepreneurial skills, technology development and preparing projects for commercialisation. The second phase will culminate in an inter-regional competition where selected projects will be presented to an international jury. The teams have the opportunity to gain valuable experience and further support for their business development. BALTEUS continues to provide mentoring and organisational support to Slovak teams to make the most of this opportunity and succeed on the European stage.

Successfully completed 1st phase of the GAEA project

Successful implementation of regional competitions in eight countries, encouraging students and young talents to submit innovative solutions in the field of green technology.

More than 165 student teams presented their ideas, with the top 50 teams advancing to the inter-regional phase of the competition.

Our comment

Involvement in the GAEA project is a unique and rewarding experience for BALTEUS. We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to be part of this initiative, which supports young talent and innovation in the field of green technology. We got involved in the GAEA project through a cascade call launched by EIT RAW Materials, one of the key partners of the project. This opportunity allowed us to expand our activities at European level and contribute to the development of entrepreneurial skills of young innovators. Our activities within the project are still ongoing, working closely with the Lead Partner, the Greek company Mantis, which plays a key role in the coordination of the whole project. This cooperation is extremely important for us and contributes to the successful implementation of all our activities within the GAEA. Together we help young people from different countries to reach their potential and gain valuable experience that will help them to further develop their innovative projects. BALTEUS thus continues to actively promote sustainable innovation and develop the business environment in Slovakia and in the wider European context.