Author: Ronald Cuschier – The Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology
Overview of InnovationGUIDE Project
The InnovationGUIDE Project was a one-year project carried out in 2024. It had several work packages, which were excellently managed by Türkiye Exporters Assembly (TIM), from Türkiye, as the key partner, responsible for the project management role, among other tasks, which brought the project deliverables to success, based on five (5) other partners located in four (4) different European countries, namely Malta; Netherlands; and Spain. The four (4) partners details refer to Universiteit Maastricht (Netherlands), Fundacion Empresa-Universidad Gallega (FEUGA, Spain), Malta College of Arts Science and Technology (MCAST, Malta), Social Entrepreneurs Association Malta (SEAM, Malta) and Startup Centrum (Turkiye).
The GAT Work Package
One of the work packages, under MCAST responsibility, referred in this article is based on the Governance Analysis to promote innovation. It serves as a structured roadmap for implementing innovation in the rural economy. This article was based on primary research, where it cannot be generalised to the whole EU and/or global innovative strategies due to the research methodology adopted, namely being based on a limited sample understudy. But it will surely serve as a stepping stone for further research and also as a guided tool for all innovators to consider its relevance and explore further their strategic commitment to innovation in various operations. This article’s objective is to produce a guided approach to the identification and development of new ideas, products, and services that address local challenges and opportunities today and in the near future. One cannot exclude that innovation is a groundbreaking journey based on an intricate tapestry with a dynamic approach. The sectors understudy were varied and were based on fisheries, agriculture, sustainable tourism and bio-economy.
Project Sponsors
The project was funded by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), with the objective of enabling innovators, including deep tech and social innovation startups, to take better advantage of the single market and attract new institutional investors to strengthen financial and capital markets to commercialise and scale companies in their countries.
Key terms from the Literature
An initial literature review/desk research based on a number of case studies across the globe was carried out by all five (5) partners to establish what the literature is saying about innovation. This gave insight about the importance of the Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) concept and the Circular Economy (CE) within the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) vis a vis the innovative commitments undertaken by various EU and global countries, since the partners considered to get a snapshot of a global perspective to be informed on what is really happening on fisheries; agriculture; hospitality; and bio-economy across the globe.
The GAT Methodology
The primary research methodology for the Governance Analysis was based on the systematic application of the Governance Assessment Tool (GAT) as a structured framework for conducting interviews. The data was collected through a series of structured interviews. Several interviews were conducted in each partner country to gather diverse perspectives on governance. The interviews targeted candidates from different stakeholder groups to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the governance landscape. The GAT framework (Bressers et al., 2013), was used to evaluate governance practices across five key dimensions:
● Levels and Scales: Various governance levels, from local to global, and their interactions.
● Actors and Networks: Involvement and collaboration among stakeholders.
● Problem Perspective and Goal Ambitions: Alignment of problem definitions and goal setting among stakeholders.
● Strategies and Instruments: Effectiveness of strategies and tools used to achieve goals.
● Responsibilities and Resources: Allocation of responsibilities and availability of resources.
The GAT assesses these dimensions based on four criteria:
● Extent: Whether all relevant elements are considered.
● Coherence: Whether elements reinforce each other.
● Flexibility: Whether the framework adapts to changes.
● Intensity: Whether elements promote changes in the status quo.
Conclusions and Recommendations
After analysing all the data based on content and thematic analysis, a set of recommendations were derived from the overall countries. Most of the recommendations were in line with all countries and the differences were very minimal from one country from another. One needs to include that there were a set of variations in the outcomes, such as in supportive elements, vis-a-vis coherence and flexibility, and also variations in restrictive and neutral elements, such as extent and intensity, depending on the country specifics. Seven (7) recommendations were extracted from the forty (40), as included in the report knowledge hub of the InnovationGUIDE portal, based on a priority filter to indicate the key milestones that promote innovation.
The recommendations derived from the GAT tool refer to all stakeholders who were involved in the innovative projects, which include entrepreneurial-based organizations, local, regional, and national-based organizations/policy makers/Government civil servants, and the EU administration, as the main sponsor and funds provisioning.
The recommendations
1. Entrepreneurial-based organisations need personal commitment, risk acceptance, a proactive approach, digital transformation, top-bottom and bottom-up management, knowledge, and ambition.
2. Policymakers support is needed throughout the project and may encourage synergies with cooperatives, Private, Academia, and civil society and encourage local investment over the international scene.
3. An innovative project may need to pass through a lifecycle based on three steps:
(i) Overcome all bottlenecks from different stakeholders through a level of trust; (ii) Investors/Entrepreneurs need to be persuasive and involve the ideal local policy maker to fit within the national strategies; and (iii) then the project will be in a position to scale up through lean and value-added processes in line with ESG challenges.
4. Civil servants’ culture is based on a reactive approach to innovation since they prefer the status quo, and training is needed to change this context to a more proactive approach.
5. Social communities and civil society may introduce resistance to new developments due to the impact on the environment/SDG commitment. Hence any new project needs to pass through a dedicated process to involve all stakeholders all the way to gain trust by all to promote a win-win approach.
6. The national and EU policies and procedures for each country need to be more flexible to adapt to SMEs innovative commitments and contextual requirements considering their demanding challenges relative the large firms.
7. Banks lack flexibility and hence need to facilitate/incentivise to support new investors, with the support of EU programmes for Banks to be given assurance about such new investors’ requirements.
Practical Implications
The above dimensions may be applied to practice to promote innovation through a process approach based on ten (10) activities follows:
1. Regulatory challenges and compatibility
2. Relevance and justification
3. International collaboration
4. A holistic and balanced approach to addressing regulatory and financial barriers faced by entrepreneurs and innovators, particularly in traditional sectors like agriculture and food production.
5. Coordination and outreach
6. Managing all Financial constraints
7. Flexibility and experimentation
8. Importance of community building
9. Digital platforms and community engagement
10. Responsibility of project owners
List of references and key links:
Bressers H, de Boer C, Lordkipanidze M, Özerol G, Vinke-De Kruijf J, Furusho C, La Jeunesse I, Larrue C, Ramos MH, Kampa E, Stein U, Tröltzsch J, Vidaurre R, Browne A (2013). Water governance assessment tool. With an elaboration for drought resilience. Report to the DROP project, CSTM University of Twente, Enschede.
Understand their influence, interests, and relationships.
Align priorities and foster meaningful partnerships.
Whether you’re designing sustainability transitions or implementing innovation projects, stakeholder mapping is an essential first step to understanding the landscape you operate in.
Step-by-Step Guide: Stakeholder Mapping
1. Define the Context
Start by clarifying the scope of your project or initiative. Consider:
What is the purpose of the mapping exercise?
What outcomes are you aiming for?
What specific system or issue are you addressing?
Who are the key actors supporting innovation in Europe?
What roles do they play in building capacity for new collaborations?
This clarity ensures the map remains focused and actionable.
2. Identify Stakeholders
List all individuals, organisations, or groups involved in or affected by your project. In the InnovationGUIDE project, we identified stakeholders such as:
Policymakers – various ministries
Policy implementers – authorities, agencies
Civil society groups – related to agriculture, fisheries, tourism and bioeconomy
Education & research providers
National and EU funding providers
Private finance providers
Incubators, accelerators
Individuals – the general public
Commercial community, industry, companies
Companies in the green/circularity sectors
Use brainstorming or collaborative workshops to ensure no significant stakeholders are overlooked.
3. Categorise Stakeholders
Using the Visual Toolbox, organise stakeholders into categories based on their:
Power: Their ability to influence outcomes.
Interest: Their level of engagement or concern.
Relationships: Connections to other stakeholders or the system.
For the InnovationGUIDE project, the detailed analysis includes categorising stakeholders according to their power, interest and relationship within the project framework. This structured approach ensures that all significant stakeholders are identified and engaged appropriately.
Tool in Focus: The Stakeholder Relevance-Interest-Expertise Matrix
This tool helps to visualise stakeholders on a grid with two axes: relevance and interest, in which the vertical axis accounts for the interest and the horizontal for the relevance.The expertise is included in the matrix in differing plot size. The more expertise an actor has, the bigger the size of its plot. Thereby you get to compare stakeholders one to another using the three criteria.
For instance:
High relevance, high interest: These stakeholders are critical allies; engage them closely. (Category 2)
High relevance, low interest: Keep these stakeholders informed; their support might be needed later. (Category 4)
Low relevance, high interest: Engage them to build grassroots support. (Category 1)
Low relevance, low interest: Monitor them minimally. (Category 3)
Relevance – Interest – Expertise Matrix
4. Data Collection and Organisation
A easy to use template was created to collect and systematically organize detailed information about each stakeholder. This enables targeted engagement, fosters collaboration, and ensures that the most relevant stakeholders are involved in the project.
Stakeholders are catalogued with the following information:
Stakeholder Group: The category or type of stakeholder (e.g., policy makers, policy implementers, civil society groups, education and research, providers of funds, general public, commercial community).
Stakeholder Organisation: The name of the organization to which the stakeholder belongs.
Organisation Website: The official website of the stakeholder’s organization.
Organisation Address: The full postal address of the organization as listed on their website.
Headquarters (HQ): The city and country where the organization’s headquarters are located.
Institution Affiliated With: Any parent or affiliated institution, if applicable.
Contact Person: The full name and email address of the primary contact person within the organization. *To ensure compliance with privacy regulations and protect sensitive information, certain details such as contact names and email addresses are omitted from the publicly shared Excel sheet.
Interest/Relevance Quadrant: Classification based on the Interest- Relevance-Expertise Map of the Visual Toolbox. This field helps identify the stakeholder’s level of interest and relevance to the project.
Expertise: A rating of the stakeholder’s expertise (high, medium, low) in relation to the project’s objectives.
Sector: For the InnovationGUIDE project, each stakeholder were further segmented into four primary sectors relevant to the project: Agriculture, fisheries, tourism and bioeconomy.
An Excel template can be downloaded here. Make sure to download a copy of the template to modify, add, and use according to your project’s relevance.
5. Prioritise Engagement Strategies
Based on your map, tailor engagement strategies:
Collaborate: Partner with stakeholders in the “high power, high interest” quadrant.
Consult: Seek input from stakeholders with specialised knowledge or local insights.
Inform: Keep broader groups updated to maintain transparency.
6. Review and Iterate
Stakeholder mapping is not a one-off activity. Systems evolve, and so do stakeholder relationships. Regularly revisit your map to:
Update information.
Adjust engagement strategies.
Reflect on lessons learned.
Tips for a Successful Stakeholder Mapping Exercise
Use Visual Tools: The Visual Toolbox offers practical templates and grids to structure your mapping exercise effectively.
Involve Your Team: Collaborative mapping builds shared understanding and uncovers diverse perspectives.
Stay Neutral: Avoid assumptions about stakeholders; base your analysis on evidence and open dialogue.
Mapping Stakeholders in Four Countries
For the InnovationGUIDE project, each participating country’s stakeholders were mapped —Turkey, Malta, the Netherlands, and Spain—had its own unique ecosystem and challenges. Here’s an overview of the key stakeholders mapped in each region:
Malta
In Malta, stakeholders span across several ministries including those responsible for finance, tourism, and agriculture. Academic institutions like MCAST and the University of Malta provide research expertise, while civil society groups focus on environmental sustainability and rural tourism. Together, these stakeholders create a supportive framework for rural entrepreneurs, promoting green innovation in local communities.
Turkey
Turkey’s rural innovation scene features policymakers focused on agricultural development and economic growth. Key research partners include major universities and tech hubs, fostering a rich ecosystem for entrepreneurship. Civil society plays a significant role here as well, with organizations advocating for sustainable practices in sectors like bioeconomy and fisheries.
Netherlands
Known for its innovation in agriculture, the Netherlands brings strong institutional support for rural development through both government initiatives and research centers. Dutch stakeholders include national ministries, leading universities, and active civil society groups, all of which play an essential role in driving innovation in the bioeconomy and sustainable tourism.
Spain
Spain’s stakeholders emphasize sustainable tourism and bioeconomy, with government ministries and rural development organizations heavily involved. Universities and research centers provide essential innovation support, while community organizations advocate for eco-friendly practices. This combination of public and private stakeholders creates a dynamic environment for advancing rural development.
Conclusion
Stakeholder mapping is more than just a planning exercise—it’s a foundation for meaningful system innovation. The InnovationGUIDE project demonstrated how stakeholder mapping can drive impactful innovation initiatives by building an inclusive and well-aligned ecosystem. By leveraging tools like the Stakeholder Relevance-Interest-Expertise Matrix and adhering to structured processes, you can navigate complexity, build trust, and create pathways for sustainable change.
Are you ready to transform your stakeholder landscape? Start mapping today and unlock the power of collaboration. Learn more about InnovationGUIDE stakeholder mapping here: https://innoguide.eu/stakeholder-engagement
On Monday, November 25, 2024, InnovationGUIDE took center stage at the MCAST Research and Innovation EXPO 2024, with a compelling presentation led by our partners Rozela Franco and Ron Cuschieri.
Held in Malta, this event provided an excellent platform to share the impactful journey of InnovationGUIDE. Rozela and Ron guided the audience through the project’s ambitious goals, the collaborative efforts spanning four partner countries – Türkiye, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malta – and the significant results achieved.
The presentation underscored the project’s core mission: fostering rural innovation ecosystems that address local challenges and leverage the unique strengths of partner countries. By highlighting the transformative power of collaboration and shared vision, the session celebrated the connections built and the strides made in advancing rural innovation.
As InnovationGUIDE approaches the final stages of its timeline, the passion and dedication of the team remain as strong as ever. The EXPO offered an opportunity to reflect on the milestones reached and reaffirm the importance of working together to drive sustainable growth in rural communities.
Thank you to MCAST for hosting such an inspiring event and to everyone who attended to support and engage with InnovationGUIDE.
Stay connected for more updates as we continue to shape the future of rural innovation in Europe and beyond!
Baku, November 14, 2024– InnovationGUIDE proudly participated in the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) held in Baku, Azerbaijan, under the theme “We Produce for the World without Consuming the World.” This global event brought together leaders, innovators, and changemakers to address the urgent challenges posed by climate change and to explore actionable solutions for a sustainable future.
Representing InnovationGUIDE at the Türkiye Pavilion were Dr. Kübra Ulutaş Tapo, Deputy Secretary General of the Türkiye Exporters Assembly, and Dr. Sanae Okamoto, Senior Research Fellow at the United Nations University-MERIT. Their session, held on November 14, explored innovative approaches to eco-friendly production and the transformative potential of sustainable practices across industries.
InnovationGUIDE’s participation highlighted its unwavering focus on sustainable growth. By emphasizing the critical balance between economic development and environmental preservation, the project showcased its efforts to integrate green solutions into rural ecosystems. This approach not only ensures resilience but also aligns closely with the goals of COP29 and the global climate agenda.
A central aspect of the session was the importance of advancing collaboration across sectors and borders. By fostering cross-sector partnerships, InnovationGUIDE emphasized the collective power of public and private entities to create impactful and lasting solutions. These partnerships align with the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and are vital for driving progress at both local and global levels.
COP29 provided a unique platform for InnovationGUIDE to showcase its commitment to fostering a culture of sustainability and collaboration. The event underscored the critical importance of aligning local and global efforts to mitigate climate change impacts while promoting inclusive development.
Looking Ahead:
InnovationGUIDE remains steadfast in its mission to empower rural ecosystems through innovation and sustainable practices. By sharing our knowledge and collaborating with global stakeholders, we aim to continue driving impactful change in rural areas and beyond.
Baku, Azerbaijan – InnovationGUIDE is thrilled to announce its participation in the COP29 climate conference, where it will bring its rural innovation and eco-friendly initiatives to the global stage. With the theme, “We Produce for the World without Consuming the World,” InnovationGUIDE is set to showcase its commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship in support of global climate goals.
The InnovationGUIDE team, represented by Dr. Kübra Ulutaş Tapo, Türkiye Exporters Assembly Deputy Secretary General, and Dr. Sanae Okamoto, UNU-MERIT Senior Research Fellow, will lead discussions on advancing rural innovation, fostering sustainable practices, and offering transformative solutions for climate challenges. Their presentation aims to highlight pathways for balanced, eco-conscious production that fosters both economic growth and environmental resilience.
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, November 14, 2024.
Time: 16:45-17:30.
Location: Türkiye Pavilion, Blue Zone No. C1, COP29 Baku.
InnovationGUIDE’s presence at COP29 underscores the importance of integrating sustainable strategies in rural and agricultural sectors to combat climate change. Through collaborative discussions and strategic insights, InnovationGUIDE aims to reinforce its vision of rural regions as pivotal players in global sustainability.
For more details about InnovationGUIDE’s presentation and our ongoing commitment to climate action, please follow our updates.
