Last week, Smart Innovation Norway had the pleasure of hosting a delegation from Romania as part of the Climate Paths: Innovative Methods for Mitigating Climate and Environmental Impact, project, a collaborative initiative funded by the EEA and Norway Grants and Innovation Norway.
“The visit brought together representatives from the Romanian Chancellery of the Prime Minister, universities, research institutes, and Social Innovation Solutions to exchange knowledge, explore best practices, and further strengthen partnerships between Norway and Romania,” says Manuela Freté, Head of Energy Transition at Smart Innovation Norway.
The delegation’s visit builds upon discussions and collaborations initiated during the Bilateral Green Innovation: Climate Solutions Forum held in Bucharest this October. By fostering meaningful exchanges between key institutions, the project aims to accelerate the green transition through innovation, knowledge sharing, and joint efforts in tackling climate challenges.
Highlights of the Visit
Tuesday, 10 December: The delegation participated in insightful meetings with the Research Council of Norway and University of Oslo, where the focus was on interdisciplinary research, funding opportunities, and strategies for sustainability.
Wednesday, 11 December: The group visited the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) in Ås, where they explored Eik Lab, an innovation hub where students transform ideas into startups aimed at solving environmental and social challenges. The day continued with visits to the National Centre for Urban Agriculture and Aggrator, an incubator supporting agrifoodtech startups.
Advancing Climate Innovation
The Climate Paths project focuses on critical areas essential for the green transition, including:
- Renewable energy
- Green technologies
- Energy efficiency
- Carbon capture
- Circular economy
- Sustainable transport
By connecting public institutions, research bodies, and businesses across borders, the initiative fosters joint innovation and knowledge exchange that are essential to address the climate crisis effectively.
“Smart Innovation Norway is proud to contribute to this important initiative, working together with our Romanian partners to build a more sustainable and climate-resilient Europe,” says Freté.
For more information about the Climate Paths project, visit our project page or Social Innovation Solutions’ website.