What is Innovation?

In the context of ENVRIs, innovation means creating new or improved solutions, ranging from products and services to technologies, methods, and ways of doing business. It's not just about coming up with new ideas; it's also about using those ideas in practical situations to make a positive impact in the real world.

This approach aligns with the European Union's Open Innovation strategy, which encourages including people from various backgrounds—beyond just scientists and academics—in the innovation process. It supports working together with different partners, such as other research groups, businesses, government agencies, and communities, to bring new ideas and resources into the mix. By sharing knowledge and collaborating, we can tackle complex problems more effectively.

The main innovation focus areas that are currently relevant to the ENVRI community are:

Innovation Through a Structured Development Process

Innovation is not merely the act of inventing something new—it is a systematic process that transforms ideas into impactful solutions. In the context of environmental research infrastructures, innovation plays a critical role in addressing complex challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

The diagram titled "Innovation Process" illustrates a structured pathway that guides innovation from conception to real-world application.

what_is_innovation

At the heart of the innovation process lies Innovation Strategy & Planning—the foundational phase that sets the direction for all subsequent activities. This phase is not about generating ideas but about creating the conditions for innovation to succeed by turning ambition into action. It ensures that innovation efforts are not ad hoc or isolated, but part of a coherent, long-term approach.

The next topics are presented in five interconnected steps that compose the innovation process.

1. Ideation & Market Discovery

This is the starting point of innovation. It involves identifying unmet needs, emerging challenges, or opportunities for improvement. In environmental infrastructures, this might include recognising the need for better air quality monitoring, more efficient water management, or improved data sharing across research stations. Market discovery ensures that the innovation is demand-driven and aligned with stakeholder needs.

2. Product & Technology Development

Once a promising idea is identified, it moves into development. This phase includes designing, prototyping, testing, and refining the solution. For example, a team might develop a new sensor for monitoring soil moisture or a software platform for integrating climate data. This stage is guided by Technology Readiness Assessments (TRL), risk evaluations, and iterative feedback loops to ensure the solution is viable and scalable.

3. Collaboration & Co-Creation

Innovation thrives on collaboration. This phase emphasises working with diverse partners—research institutions, government agencies, industry, and civil society—to co-create solutions. Tools such as collaboration checklists and agreement templates help structure these partnerships. In ENVRIs, co-creation ensures that innovations are context-sensitive, inclusive, and supported by those who will use or be affected by them.

4. Technology Transfer & Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

To move from research to real-world impact, innovations must be transferred effectively. This involves managing intellectual property, defining ownership, and exploring commercialisation pathways such as licensing or spin-offs. In environmental contexts, this might mean transferring a new data visualisation tool to a national meteorological agency or licensing a pollution sensor to a private company.

5. Networking & Dissemination

The final phase ensures that the innovation reaches a broader audience. Through conferences, publications, training, and digital platforms, innovators share their results, build partnerships, and inspire replication. Dissemination is essential for scaling impact and embedding innovation into policy and practice.