Climatelabs (2020 - 2023)
- Identify and match the social and ecological challenges of climate change with the internal capacities of institutions to implement social innovation projects.
- Design and implement on-line and off-line instruments to strengthen applied research innovation capacities in partner universities to address climate change challenges.
- Design and implement Social Innovation Labs for Climate Change in partner Universities.
- Implement social innovation pilot projects in the field of climate change based on the challenges and needs identified in each territory.
- Disseminate methodologies and results for use by other HEIs in Latin America and worldwide.
Climate Labs seeks to strengthen the applied research and innovation capacities of ten partner universities in Mexico, Brazil and Colombia through the design and implementation of Social Innovation Labs for climate change mitigation and adaptation. In collaboration with universities in Spain, France and Italy, the project aims to build interdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder laboratories that will institutionalise applied research and innovation for climate change in the territories where the partners are based.
Over a three-year period, the project plans to train academics, students and staff in Latin America, who will form teams of leaders of change and design and set up laboratories based on the needs, strengths, challenges and characteristics of the institutions and territories they serve. During this period, each university will also implement a pilot project, connect to relevant international networks and other national institutions, build the physical and virtual infrastructure of the laboratory and develop strategies for the sustainability and scalability of the project.
Ultimately, the project aims to build strong and connected areas of innovation and applied research within universities that have an impact on partner countries’ overall capabilities and strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate change.