INNOVATION AND RESEARCH WITHIN THE CROSS-BORDER AREA

Cross-border realities constitute a natural and fertile ground for research, innovation and development activities. Both in the academic field and in that of immediate application to the world of work, the possibilities of contact and comparison between cultures, economies and visions by people of different nationalities, in the current scenario of a united Europe, find a natural outlet in cooperation cross border.

In schools and universities, the current forms of cross-border collaboration between Italian and Slovenian high schools, and between the universities of Friuli Venezia Giulia and the Slovenian littoral can be studied, in order to take inspiration from existing good practices to consolidate, improve and spread them. It is important that from school age, people know that their future will not necessarily take place within national borders, but will be able to find an outlet abroad. An important part will be the mutual study of the language, for which information on the best realities already existing in this area can be provided.

Innovation in the world of work is greatly facilitated by the existence of business incubators, a modern tool for those who want to transform a business idea into a successful product or service. Both in FVG and in Slovenia there are already realities that have been operating in this field for more than thirty years, and that within Euradria will be able to find another way of making their potential known to the cross-border world, because different incubators offer opportunities and different skills. Innovative ideas turn into start-ups, start-ups grow, consolidate, create jobs.

The research activities recall the collaboration between study and work. One of the most important examples in the cross-border area is the Area Science Park of Trieste, which has been active for more than forty years, which combines the research activities of fundamental and materials physics with business generation, support for entrepreneurial system, the valorisation of research and its results. It is an important employment center for medium, high and very high professionals, and by natural vocation it is open to cross-border (and international) collaboration. At the conclusion of the project activities, a report useful for framing the innovation and research area in the cross-border region will be made available for further information.