Climate Engine

Climate Engine aims to empower higher education institutions (HEIs) to become leading innovation engines for place-based climate solutions across Europe. The project brings together a diverse consortium of nine HEIs, one research institute, two business partners, and multiple associated stakeholders to co-develop Climate Innovation Laboratories and foster long-term institutional transformation.

Building on the experience of the ILCA initiative, the project focuses on embedding climate-focused innovation into the core strategies of HEIs. Climate Engine will:

• Train over 1,600 students and staff in climate innovation and entrepreneurship;
• Establish and improve five Climate Innovation Laboratories as hubs for systemic, place-based solutions;
• Co-create ten Climate Innovation Projects with more than 100 stakeholders;
• Support the development and growth of at least 60 climate-focused start-ups and scale-ups;
• Develop regional climate roadmaps tailored to local challenges and aligned with smart specialization strategies.

The initiative follows a multi-phase approach: laying foundational structures and partnerships, scaling and institutionalizing training and labs, and ensuring long-term impact through policy alignment and regional ecosystem integration. By emphasizing design thinking, systems innovation, and stakeholder co-creation, Climate Engine equips HEIs to drive climate resilience, sustainability, and economic transformation well beyond the project’s funding period.