Climate Kic Innovator Catalyst – Green skills, sustainability transtions and water managemen
10/01/2015
This video brings you a glance into the Catalyst Course offered by Climate-KIC for experienced environment and water management professionals held in Valencia (Spain). Cristian Matti, social science researcher, together with Professor Anne J. Wieczorek and Coach Javier de Vicente, coordinated a team of well-known international experts, of which Jan Jonker, Corporate Sustainability; Todd Gartner, Water Management and Innovation; Caroline Van Leenders, Process Manager in Sustainable Transitions; and, Fernando J. Díaz López, Eco-innovation for Green economies. Furthermore, several regional experts participated in debates activities trying to reproduce real working negotiations with stakeholders. Additionally, participants enjoyed study visits to actual projects in the regeneration area of Turia River and Naturals Park l´Albufera.
This course provided the key competencies and capabilities to be an innovator. The principal novelty of the course was to introduce horizontal and cooperative methods of working, involving low-profile hierarchies and greater autonomy. Hence, participants were collaborating hand-by-hand with international, regional specialists and problem owners related with climate change within a “project meeting” atmosphere. In total, more than 35 people, from 15 different countries, were working on ‘Green skills’ in a programme designed to upgrade professional competences to face climate and sustainability challenges.
The course was designed to help participants to realize which skills are needed the most to deal with sustainability transitions enforced by climate change. Thus, first, to be able to identify barriers, identify opportunities or stakeholders analysis; second, to be able to develop solutions –new business models– with system innovation projects, focus priorities for further exploration or low carbon innovation; and, finally, make transitions happen –plans into actions–. This pilot initiative performed as a living lab experience for both participants and experts who explored new learning techniques by shifting the role of experts, participants and speakers towards a more horizontal context of professional interaction.
http://youtu.be/iY6R_znftSY