EIT RawMaterials

📢 Day 1 Highlights from #RawMaterialsWeek 2024! 🌟 Yesterday, EIT RawMaterials started the week by participating in another compelling panel on "The Potential of Your Career in Minerals and Metals,” exploring strategies to inspire young generations to pursue careers in raw materials.   Anastasia Arnhold, Education & HR Director at EIT RawMaterials, emphasised the need to reimagine education for the AI-driven era, stating: "Today’s young workforce is the first to compete with AI, robots, and advanced technologies. To meet these challenges, our education system and corporate learning frameworks must be revolutionised." 💻 A sneak preview of our latest AI-powered workforce tool also demonstrated how engaging the youth depends on adapting to the rapidly evolving technological landscape to keep the sector relevant and appealing.   Earlier in the day, industry leaders Maria Menezes, Aurora Lithium and Matthias Pastl, voestalpine, shared their expectations for the newly announced European Raw Materials Academy. Their vision highlighted the need to: ✳️ Map skills gaps and develop transversal skills ✳️ Foster collaboration with industry and technical schools ✳️ Implement programs through local providers ✳️ Focus on leadership, soft skills, and “blue-collar” workforce needs ✳️ Embrace the green transition, digital skills, and flexible learning modules ✳️ Adopt a lifelong learning (LLL) approach   The Academy aims to equip the workforce with the tools to thrive in a rapidly evolving sector, reinforced by our vision for the AI-powered Skills Passport platform.   The session also featured Veronika Sochorová, ECGA (European Advanced Carbon and Graphite Materials Association), who presented the Briefcase Project. Supported by EIT RawMaterials, this initiative has reached over 25,000 people, including students, with 50 innovative tools highlighting the vital role of mineral raw materials in everyday life. From transformative projects like Girls Go Circular—impacting over 1,000 schools across Europe—to cutting-edge initiatives like the AI-powered Skills Passport platform, EIT RawMaterials is shaping a sustainable and innovative future while making careers in this sector irresistible to young talent.   Stay tuned for more updates from #RawMaterialsWeek 2024!   #FutureOfWork #RawMaterialsAcademy #Innovation #Sustainability #HRLeadership #Skills #YouthEducation #STEMCareers #RawMaterialsCareers #EITRawMaterials #Technology

🌍 Exciting start to the #RawMaterialsWeek 2024 in Brussels!   Today, EIT RawMaterials took part in the starting panel "De-risking Raw Materials Projects: EU and National Open Funding Opportunities", where Didier Zimmermann, Business Development and Fundraising Director at EIT RawMaterials, along with Daniel Cios, DG Grow - European Commission, Paolo Bondavalli, European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), and ugo miretti, CINEA - European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency discussed the importance of private and non-private collaborations in securing funding, sharing risks, and fostering sustainable solutions.   He showcased the impact of the various instruments EIT RawMaterials uses to accelerate funding in the raw materials sector across the value chain. The EIT RawMaterials KAVA Call 13, as well as the RIS Call for projects, are crucial funding opportunities for driving innovation and addressing challenges in the European raw materials sector.    The key take away of the session was that collaboration is key—bringing together industry, academia, and policymakers to align efforts and drive impactful solutions. By combining public funding with private investments, Europe can accelerate the transition towards a resilient raw materials ecosystem. For more information on our ongoing calls, please visit: https://lnkd.in/eNu486kt Stay tuned as we bring you more updates from our participation at the Raw Materials Week 2024.   #RawMaterialsWeek #Sustainability #Innovation #Collaboration #EITRawMaterials #HorizonEurope #CircularEconomy

📣 📣 Celebrating 10 Years of RIS activities & the winners of the EIT Jumpstarter 2024 programme! ✨ At EIT RawMaterials, we are proud to be an active partner of the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) in empowering regions to harness their potential, fostering sustainability, and ensuring a resilient European innovation ecosystem.   Over the past decade, the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) has significantly advanced innovation and regional growth in EIT RIS-eligible areas across Europe. As a proud supporter of this initiative, we are delighted to highlight some of the incredible achievements from 2021-2023:   ✨ EUR 570 Million Invested in RIS countries, accounting for 40.7% of EIT’s grants, fueling local innovation ecosystems.   ✨ 3,661 Ventures Created and Supported 59% of EIT’s start-ups and scale-ups emerged in the RIS region, driving entrepreneurship and economic growth.   ✨ 171,267 Participants Engaged in EIT education and training activities, with 74% hailing from RIS regions, building skills for the future.   ✨ 501 Innovations Launched By EIT-backed RIS-based ventures, contributing 52% of breakthrough innovations.   ✨ 1,185 KIC Partners Collaborating across RIS areas, representing 56% of the community and fostering partnerships for impact.   As part of the 10-year celebrations, the winners of the #Jumpstarter programme were crowned and received their prizes by MEP Eszter Lako. Congratulations to all participants and the winners!    #10YearsOfEITRIS #Innovation #RegionalDevelopment #innovation #Sustainability #FutureSkills EIT - European Institute of Innovation and Technology

📣 Success story! 📣 We are proud to support the Luxembourg-based start-up AM 4 AM, a trailblazer in the future of additive manufacturing. AM 4 AM is revolutionizing the industry with its groundbreaking cold plasma technology, which has led to the creation of the strongest aluminium alloy on the market. Designed to meet the rigorous demands of the aerospace, automotive, and space sectors, this innovation represents a significant leap forward in advanced materials. By focusing on sustainability and bolstering Europe’s critical raw materials supply chain, the AM 4 AM mission is totally aligned with the EIT RawMaterials mission. AM 4 AM exemplifies how start-ups can address global challenges while driving technological progress. Their work highlights the crucial role innovation in raw materials plays in strengthening European competitiveness. Discover more about their inspiring journey, cutting-edge technology, and ambitious plans for growth in our latest article. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eWeNPCaf #AdditiveManufacturing #AdvancedMaterials #Innovation #CriticalRawMaterials #Sustainability #cleanIndustryDeal

Exciting times ahead for Europe's future! 🌍 The whole team from EIT RawMaterials welcomes the new college of commissioners and wishes them a great start!  Together, let's shape a stronger, more competitive Europe! 💪 #EUCommission #EU #Welcome #EUPresident #CriticalRawMaterials #Innovation

Countdown to the EIT Jumpstarter 2024 Grand Final! Six groundbreaking innovations from the EIT RawMaterials RIS cohort are gearing up to compete in the EIT Jumpstarter Grand Final this Thursday, 28 November 2024 in Budapest!   Here's a sneak peek at the visionary startups tackling some of the world’s most daunting challenges. These innovations are among 49 finalists competing for nearly €150,000 in prizes across eight categories, including Health, Energy, and Raw Materials.   🚀 Soil Rebirth (Montenegro): Turning coal mine residues into fertile soil briquettes that stay nutrient-rich for 5 years without chemicals. 🚀 Bristlechem (Spain): Transforming pig bristle waste into sustainable, high-value nanoparticles. 🚀 LATOM (Croatia): Helping the construction industry cut CO2 emissions and waste with tailored R&D solutions. 🚀 Fenix Ceramics (Estonia): Converting 30M tons of annual ash waste into eco-friendly construction tiles. 🚀 Total Energy (Croatia): Innovating with lightweight, flexible solar cells perfect for everything from windows to portable devices. 🚀 Unconventional Lithium Production (Ukraine): Revolutionizing lithium extraction from oil industry by-products for a sustainable future.   The EIT Jumpstarter programme, powered by the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS), supports innovators in underrepresented regions, providing mentorship, funding, and global networking opportunities to turn ideas into thriving businesses.   Register now to watch live: https://lnkd.in/d_GpWQ82 #innnovation #startups #pioneers #greentransition #rawmaterials #rishubs #europe #EIT

The raw materials sector is at the heart of the global transition toward sustainability and a circular economy. For senior leaders and experts navigating this rapidly evolving landscape, staying ahead of the curve requires deep insights, innovation, and a global perspective. EIT RawMaterials invites consortia from academia, industry, and research organizations to design and deliver the RACE for Executives programme—a cutting-edge educational experience tailored for executives and thought leaders in the raw materials sector. Programme Highlights: 🔍 Explore the entire raw materials value chain, from mining to recycling. 🌱 Gain insights into sustainability, digital transformation, and circular economy practices. 🌍 Visit leading companies, innovation hubs, and research labs across the globe. 🤝 Engage in networking opportunities with industry leaders and entrepreneurs. 💡 Access the latest research, best practices, and market opportunities in the sector. 📈 Phase 1 Funding: Up to €500,000 to design, pilot, and execute the first programme iteration. 📅 Proposal submission deadline: 9 December 2024 Join us in shaping the future of raw materials leadership and innovation! 🔗 Learn more & apply: https://lnkd.in/dRQ5fVAm #LeadershipDevelopment #CircularEconomy #RawMaterials #Innovation #ExecutiveEducation #Collaboration #ProfessionalDevelopment #LearningAndDevelopment #RACEforExecutives

Yesterday, the 9th Greek Raw Materials Community Dialogue, organised by the EIT RawMaterials RIS Hub Greece brought together key stakeholders in Athens to discuss a crucial European topic: “Towards the dynamic implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA)." The dialogue highlighted the EU's commitment to addressing the growing demand for critical raw materials essential for green and digital transitions. Key members of the EIT RawMaterials team were invited to present the solutions and insights for a sustainable and secure supply chain of raw materials for Europe: ✳️ Didier Zimmermann, Director of Business Development and Fundraising, delivered the keynote on "From Vision to Action: EIT RawMaterials and the CRM Act," sharing insights from the Raw Materials Summit 2024 and our roadmap to supporting the CRMA in 2025. ✳️ Antony Slotboom, Access to Finance Director, joined the session on Funding Opportunities in the Raw Materials Sector, moderated by Antonis Politis, Senior Business Development Manager, where the panel shared insights on the best practices for securing financial support, explored the latest funding trends, and highlighted successful case studies that showcase how to leverage these opportunities effectively. ✳️ Fabio Ferri, Education Manager, contributed to the panel on Strengthening the Public Acceptance of the Raw Materials Industry, showcasing the importance of transparency, education, and community engagement in securing a social license to operate. This event underscored the critical role of policymakers, producers, and manufacturers in advancing the raw materials sector in Greece. Together, we aim to drive sustainable practices, foster innovation, and build resilient supply chains for the EU’s long-term prosperity. #RawMaterials #CRMA #Sustainability #Innovation #EITRawMaterials #Greece #Athens #Collaboration #Funding #Education #SLO #CommunityEngagement #Future #Networking #CriticalRawMaterials

Vanadium is crucial to Europe’s green transition and industrial future and is recognised by the EU as one of its 34 critical raw materials.    It plays a key role in strengthening steel for construction, powering Vanadium Flow Batteries for renewable energy storage, and driving innovation in aerospace and emerging technologies. But Europe relies heavily on imports to meet demand. That’s why we’re proud to support Novana, a groundbreaking project revolutionising how vanadium is produced.     By repurposing steel slag from industry leaders like SSAB and Salzgitter AG, Novana creates carbon-neutral, high-purity vanadium pentoxide while capturing CO2 in the process.     This innovative approach will help secure a sustainable vanadium supply for Europe while potentially reducing up to 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions over the next decade.    For more information, visit: https://novana.fi/   #Sustainability #CriticalRawMaterials #Innovation #CircularEconomy #GreenTransition #Vanadium 

Last week, the EIT HEI Initiative and Girls Go Circular, both led by EIT RawMaterials, participated in the #DeepTechSkillsDays2024, hosted by EIT Deep Tech Talent in Warsaw—a platform dedicated to driving innovation and inclusivity in Europe's deep tech ecosystem. The teams focused on two critical discussions: 1️⃣ Empowering Female Talent in Deep Tech Cornelia Crucean, Education Project Specialist for Girls Go Circular at EIT RawMaterials, moderated the impactful panel “Women in Deep Tech: Empowering Female Talent.” The discussion focused on: 🌟 Inspiring young girls to pursue STEM through creative and inclusive narratives. 🌟 Strategies to bridge the self-efficacy gender gap for women in fields like aerospace and robotics. 🌟 Empowering female entrepreneurs through investment, training, and mentorship. 2️⃣  Funding and Collaboration for Deep Tech Skills Rosanna West, EIT HEI Initiative Manager at EIT RawMaterials, contributed to the panel “Funding and Collaboration Possibilities for Deep Tech Skills Development.” She highlighted the importance of fostering strategic partnerships across education, business, and research to enhance Europe’s deep tech innovation capacity. She also presented the ongoing HEI Call for Proposals, which features a dedicated deep tech strand—an exciting opportunity to fuel education and entrepreneurship in the sector. 🔍 More details about the call can be found here: https://lnkd.in/dnTUvw5i EIT RawMaterials is committed to building a sustainable and innovative future by driving diversity, collaboration, and strategic investment in the deep tech space. Together, let’s bridge the gap and unlock Europe’s full potential in science, technology, and entrepreneurship! #EITRawMaterials #GirlsGoCircular #EITHEIInitiative #DeepTechInnovation #WomenInSTEM #EducationInnovation #Entrepreneurship #Collaboration #Technology #Innovation #Talent #Skills #Future