NODES at RAISE Connections: ecosystems in comparison for the future of innovation
On April 16, at the Palazzo della Borsa in Genoa, the event RAISE Connections took place, marking the closing moment of the RAISE – Robotics and AI for Socio-economic Empowerment ecosystem, one of the eleven Innovation Ecosystems funded by the Ministry of University and Research under the PNRR.
The initiative represented an important opportunity for dialogue among the main national ecosystems, focusing on results, impacts, and future perspectives of the research and innovation programs developed in recent years.
Among the key participants was also NODES – Nord Ovest Digitale e Sostenibile, featured in the session dedicated to collaboration among PNRR ecosystems.
During the session “Networking to Innovate: Challenges and Opportunities in PNRR Projects,” Chiara Ferroni, Director General of NODES, took the floor alongside representatives of MOST – National Center for Sustainable Mobility and FAIR – Future Artificial Intelligence Research Foundation.
In her speech, Eng. Ferroni highlighted the key distinctive features of NODES within the Innovation Ecosystem landscape:
“NODES is configured as a strongly place-based, non-vertical ecosystem, structured around seven thematic areas and characterized by a governance composed exclusively of public universities,” she explained. “A model that combines strong institutional guidance with a deep connection to local territories.
One of the most significant aspects that emerged concerns the role of universities, for which NODES has represented a concrete opportunity to step forward. Through cascade funding calls, more than 300 companies have been involved, opening—often for the first time—a direct dialogue with technology transfer, experienced in a more applied and impact-oriented dimension.
This has been a crucial step in shaping the ecosystem into an efficient operational structure, now capable of managing funds and opportunities with speed and expertise.”
Particular attention was given to the theme of impact, which for NODES – Nord Ovest Digitale e Sostenibile takes on a primarily methodological dimension.
On the one hand, the project has generated strong engagement among young people, with numerous initiatives focused on education, participation, and the development of new skills. On the other hand, its most lasting value lies in its ability to create connections between individuals, institutions, businesses, and territories, building a relational capital that is expected to endure over time.
Looking ahead, the need to strengthen coordination among innovation ecosystems at the national level clearly emerged. The experience gained has demonstrated the effectiveness of the adopted models, but also highlights the urgency of developing a shared governance framework and a common vision capable of guiding future development trajectories. In this context, it becomes essential to establish a strategic direction at the political level as well, in order to enhance and systematize the results achieved.
The participation of NODES – Nord Ovest Digitale e Sostenibile in RAISE Connections is part of a broader path of dialogue and collaboration among PNRR programs, confirming the value of exchange between ecosystems as a key driver for consolidating innovation and strengthening the competitiveness of the national system.
