GT4T - GreenTech4Transformation

Project background

GreenTech4Transformation (GT4T) pursues the vision of establishing European universities as drivers of sustainable and innovation-oriented growth. The focus is on building an inclusive ecosystem in which students, researchers and entrepreneurs develop effective solutions for the circular economy, energy transition and digital transformation.

Central measures are: the development of interdisciplinary micro-credentials in deep-tech areas such as AI, additive manufacturing, robotics or renewable energy systems; the promotion of entrepreneurship among young and older professionals; the establishment of venture science labs to develop market-ready ideas; and the acceleration of knowledge exploitation and start-up processes. GT4T combines challenge-based learning with innovation-oriented methods such as Design Thinking and Lean Startup and uses the Entrepreneurship Competence Framework (EntreComp) as a strategic reference framework for developing and structuring the competence formats, especially the micro-credentials. Digital platforms and mentoring offers flank this process.

GT4T makes a strategic contribution to strengthening entrepreneurial, technical and digital skills at European universities. The project responds to the growing demands in the field of green innovation and digital transformation and at the same time addresses demographic challenges by specifically promoting skilled workers between the ages of 17 and 25 and over 55.

By developing flexible, Europe-wide transferable micro-credentials and establishing venture science labs, GT4T contributes to long-term innovation capability, employment promotion and social inclusion. The intended impact will be measurable in concrete terms: trained participants, sustainable start-ups, internships and partnerships by 2030.

GT4T is closely linked to European strategies such as the Green Deal, the digital strategy and the S3 regional concepts. It institutionalizes sustainable structures for education and training in the deep tech sector and anchors entrepreneurship and sustainability in university curricula.

Project objective

The GT4T project aims to turn European universities into drivers of sustainable and innovation-driven growth through deep tech entrepreneurship. The aim is to build an inclusive ecosystem that enables students, researchers and entrepreneurs to develop effective solutions for the circular economy, digital transformation and energy transition.

To this end, interdisciplinary, practical training modules in pioneering fields of technology such as artificial intelligence, additive manufacturing and renewable energy systems are being developed and made available as micro-credentials. This is complemented by the establishment of so-called venture science labs, in which ideas are further developed into market-ready products.

In the long term, GT4T aims to anchor these structures institutionally, promote inclusive innovation cultures and strengthen the entrepreneurial capacity of European universities in the context of a sustainable, digital society.

Project procedure

The GT4T project follows a multidisciplinary, challenge-based approach to establish an innovation ecosystem at European universities. The methodology combines interdisciplinary micro-credential training programs with collaborative research, entrepreneurial education and inclusive innovation promotion.

Central methodological elements are:

• Micro-credential-based training modules in deep tech areas such as AI, additive manufacturing and renewable energy,
• Venture Science Labs, which serve as spaces for prototyping, MVP development and startup incubation,
• as well as inclusive Innovation Hubs that promote diversity and specifically involve underrepresented target groups.

GT4T is based on established innovation methods such as Design Thinking and Lean Startup as well as the European Commission's EntreComp. This reference framework serves as the basis for developing, structuring and assessing entrepreneurial skills within the training programs. The EntreComp is used in particular for the curricular design of the micro-credentials. This foundation enables application-oriented and competence-based learning. The courses are conducted in international, heterogeneous teams and conclude with a pitch that could be transferred into possible spin-offs.

The project is structured in three phases over 25 months:

• Phase 1 (months 1-9): Establishment of the training and lab infrastructure, piloting of the first modules, start of industry cooperation.
• Phase 2A (months 10-17): Scaling to all partner universities, full operationalization of the labs, expansion of teacher training.
• Phase 2B (months 18-25): Institutionalization of the formats, anchoring in the curricula, transfer strategy and final conference.

Implementation takes place in nine thematically coordinated work packages (WP1-WP9) with clear responsibilities (e.g. Rosenheim Technical University of Applied Sciences: WP5 and WP7). A central digital management system, regular consortium meetings and strong stakeholder involvement ensure the coherence and impact of the project.

Innovation

The GT4T project is innovative in several respects: for the first time, it combines a comprehensive, institutionally anchored training and innovation ecosystem for sustainable deep-tech entrepreneurship at European universities with a consistently inclusive focus on underrepresented target groups. The core elements of the Innovation are:

• Micro-credential-based deep tech education: students and professionals acquire practical skills in areas such as AI, additive manufacturing, circular economy and renewable energy. The modular programs combine challenge-based learning with coaching, international teams and real-world application projects.
Venture Science Labs: university-based innovation spaces in which ideas are developed into minimum viable products (MVPs) and start-ups are incubated - supported by mentoring, industry cooperation and systematic prototyping.
• Inclusive innovation promotion: GT4T specifically addresses older (>55) and younger (17-25 years) specialists with tailored training, mentoring formats and digitally accessible offers. The promotion of a cross-generational culture of innovation is a central component.
Connecting education, research and transfer: Through institutional integration at five universities in Ireland, Germany, Finland, the Netherlands and Turkey, the knowledge triangle - teaching, research, innovation - is translated into regionally adapted measures.

Economy and society should benefit directly:

the creation of sustainable start-ups by 2030,
• the commercialization of university research results,
• training participants for the green and digital transformation,
• strengthening regional innovation capacities in line with European S3 strategies,
as well as the sustainable anchoring of entrepreneurship structures at universities.

GT4T is thus creating a resilient, networked innovation ecosystem that addresses the technological, economic and social challenges of transformation - scalable across Europe, interdisciplinary and effective in the long term.