The INTEGER project, of which SHINE 2Europe is a partner, is funded by the European Commission’s Horizon Europe programme and has been a pioneer in developing new models to promote healthy lifestyles in Europe. Centred on innovative, sustainable and inclusive solutions, INTEGER has introduced three main advances: the INTEGER 4 Helix Collaboratory model, the EU Healthy Living Collaboratory and a new professional role – the ‘collaber’ or ‘collaboratory facilitator’ – created to strengthen the connection between stakeholders. SHINE is a private applied research organisation with a social orientation; in other words, it is not profit-driven, but aims to mobilise resources to implement its innovative initiatives.
The INTEGER consortium met for the final General Assembly on 5 and 6 November in Barcelona, at a hybrid event organised by i2CAT, where the achievements of the project were celebrated and the steps towards its formal completion in January 2024 were prepared, with an emphasis on sustainability and long-term impact. The meeting included visits to leading health and research centres, such as the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital and the Barcelona Supercomputing Centre, which presented innovative initiatives in health and mental well-being.
SHINE 2Europe, represented by project manager Inês Saavedra, plays an important role in INTEGER, responsible for WP5 – ENGAGEMENT, OUTREACH AND IMPACT MAXIMISATION. SHINE’s tasks include developing the communication and dissemination plan (Task 5.1) and engaging stakeholders and liaising with relevant initiatives (Task 5.2). In addition, SHINE is leading Task 4.3.1, dedicated to setting up an innovative INTEGER community at EU level, with the aim of creating synergies and raising awareness of the need for a European collaboratory.
Rafael Nualart, emphasised INTEGER’s regional adaptability in regions such as Catalonia, Krakow and Hamburg, a key factor in the project’s success. With the transition of the INTEGER platform to Decidim, an open-source platform, the project’s innovations will continue to foster collaborative and challenge-based solutions to strengthen the EU’s innovation ecosystem.
In addition to SHINE, the INTEGER consortium includes a variety of partners from different sectors and countries, such as i2CAT (research and innovation centre) from Spain, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) (university) from Spain, F6S (global innovation platform), the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg (government entity) from Germany, the Jagiellonian University (JU) (university) from Poland, the Krakow Technology Park (technology park) from Poland and AFEdemy, Academy on Age-Friendly Environments BV (organisation for environments adapted to all ages) from the Netherlands.