The SHIA (Sports & Health Innovation Acceleration) project is an initiative designed to bridge the systemic gap between academic research, vocational training, and industry needs at the intersection of health and sports. It will develop and validate an agile, customer-centric acceleration framework that transitions scientific evidence into market-ready solutions across three strategic tracks: Tech + Digital Sports, Grassroots Sports Innovation, and Active Living. By establishing physical and virtual "Innovation Villages" as multi-stakeholder living labs, the project aims to accelerate over 50 projects and train more than 2,100 professionals across 12 countries. Ultimately, SHIA seeks to drive European competitiveness and public well-being by implementing pedagogical innovations like microcredentials and challenge-based learning, while ensuring that all new ventures adhere to ecoresilience and green transition principles.
The Global Health Connector leads the dissemination, communication and sustainability work of SHIA. As Work Package 8 leaders, the organisation focuses on maximizing project visibility, ensuring sustainability, and facilitating the uptake of project results by relevant communities. Our tasks include the drafting and implementation of a comprehensive communication strategy, with the focus on digital tools, as well as stakeholder engagement and ensuring the project’s longevity after its conclusion. Furthermore, the Global Health Connector supports the design of the ecosystem, the identification and integration of a diverse group of key stakeholders, and assists in facilitating regular networking exchanges and events. Lastly, we are involved in identifying and validating 12–15 key variables for assessing the viability and sustainability of the SHIA project and assists in the operational preparation of the pilot interventions and engaging stakeholders through participatory dynamics.
Asociacion Del Deporte Espanol (ADESP)
European Platform For Sports And Innovation (EPSI)
Sport Et Citoyennete 3s (3s)
Otto-Friedrich-Universitaet Bamberg (Uni Ba)
Univerzita Karlova (CU)
Center For Health, Exercise And Sport Sciences (Chess)
ECHalliance Company Limited By Guarantee (ECHA)
Institouto Anaptixis Epicheirimatikotitas Astiki Etaireia (IED)
Systems Innovation Center Kft. (CSI)
University Industry Innovation Network Bv (UIIN)
Ακμι Ανονιμι Εκpaideftiki Etairia (AKMI)
Natsionalna Sportna Akademiya Vassil Levski (NSA)
Stichting Sports And Technology (CST) (Associated Partner)