BIOACTION aims at developing a new methodology in implant technology based on functionalized bio-hydrogels that will convert the negative occurrence of biofilm-associated infections, the primary cause of implant infections and failure, into a positive resource. The main goal of BIOACTION is to transform implant-associated bacteria for the programmable production of specific proteins for in vivo cell recruitment and tissue regeneration, exploiting gene sequences loaded on engineered liposomes and phages, bound to hydrogel scaffolds. BIOACTION will develop new biomimetic substrates that can transform biofilm into extracellular matrix for the regeneration of target tissues. It will establish a high versatile technology to be used as injectable materials and implant coatings for periodontal and peri-implant infection treatments. The proposed approach will be validated in two clinically relevant animal models: dental implant and permanent transcutaneous bone. BIOACTION, would radically advance the future of infection treatment by revolutionizing the classical approaches leading to the improvement of state of care, health outcomes and to achieve huge socio-economic benefits. The project isstrongly interdisciplinary in nature involving expertise biomaterials, synthetic biology, phage and liposome technology, medicine. As a results, this innovative approach will bring the research and knowledge far beyond the current state-of-the-art and will lead, through the planned validation, as proof-of-concept of new materials and technique with a broader application in regenerative medicine.

The complexity of current ecological challenges requires to elaborate new methods to understand the way we interact with the environment and to eradicate the anachronistic human-centred conception of nature. Scientists, governments and regulators are asked to create a “justice” capable to reframe the concept of nature as an active player, in line with the notion of Ecological Justice (EJ). Counting on a consortium of 9 international interdisciplinary forefront academic (universities and research centers) and non-academic institutions (a for-profit company and NGOs) in EU and Latin America, Speak4Nature aims to develop new socio-legal instruments and methodologies to provide a common theoretical and operational basis in social and environmental sciences to give voice to non-human beings in legal instances, and to contribute to the creation of a shared vision towards the treatment of “nature” itself useful for the adaptation of the political process to the current ecological challenges. In particular, Speak4Nature will aim to: SO1) conceptualize EJ from a multidisciplinary, intersectoral, and international perspective; SO2) define why, how and under what influence different social sciences extend moral considerability to non-human nature; SO3) map the current social and legal techniques to assert the voice of non-human nature; SO4) empower civil society and stakeholders’ role in ecological awareness, restoration and climate change litigation; SO5) ensure the uptake of project outcomes by developing practical guidelines and training tools on legal techniques and standards to implement EJ principles in disputes over environmental violations. Through interdisciplinary and intersectoral secondments and knowledge transfer mechanisms, Speak4Nature will increase the skills of the involved staff to foster the study, exchange and dissemination of knowledge on issues related to the ecology of law, contributing to the improvement of EJ standards and policies.

In the face of climate change, events like COVID-19 crisis with high impact in specific sectors demonstrated the importance of resilient societies. As such, it is vital to act with a level of urgency for climate change related impacts to health sector that are proportionate to the scale of the threat, be prepared and informed on the basis of the best-available science, and practise clear and consistent communications to all those involved. Therefore, in MOUNTADAPT, various regional and local authorities and community members will take the leadership to co-design, co-develop and test eleven state of the art climate adaptation solutions across the mountains biogeographical region, in Austria, Slovenia, France and Romania. A diversity of actors of the health system will also collaborate throughout the project to demonstrate the replicability of the solutions in a diversity of settings: within the Alpine mountains in Romania, outside Europe in the Pyrenees in Andora and beyond, in the continental area in Germany. MOUNTADAPT will develop robust models to better understand the impact of climate change on health (PR1). The project will cover the whole chain of response to a climate induced health emergency with monitoring tools (PR2) that will be directly linked to short term forecasts to communicate warnings (PR3) to the relevant stakeholders. An emergency management tool (PR4) will finally support health systems to optimally organise staff in crisis time. This will be supported by guidance for transforming the health system (PR5) and empowered actors with the training courses for healthcare professionals and awareness raising campaigns for citizens (PR6). Detailed monitoring protocols and impact assessment frameworks (PR7) will allow for a continuous evaluation of a range of adaptation solutions during and after the project, providing incentive for their implementation. Finally, MOUNTADAPT will provide a full guide (PR8) for the implementation of its adaptation solutions, boosting their replication in new territories and will provide feedback to the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority.

The emergency medical care in the EU is a fragmented chain including population, emergency medical services, volunteers, hospitals and cooperation with fire services, police and authorities. It needs to prepare to respond to new threats and assist casualties after security incidents. In response to this challenge, NO-FEAR proposes to bring together a pan-European network of practitioners, decision and policy makers in the medical and security fields. They will collaborate to achieve a common understanding of needs, as well as - in collaboration with academia and industries – increase the EU innovation potential that could better fill the operational gaps and recommend areas for future innovations. NO-FEAR main objectives are to: - create a long-lasting community of practitioners, interacting with a network of suppliers and academia, - elaborate an innovation roadmap, with practical recommendations for uptake, - advise relevant Research and Innovation projects, - support market uptake of EU research results, - issue policy and regulatory recommendations enabling collective procurement, - indicate priorities for standardisation; - support quick wins and practical short term results, - implement a transactional dynamic portal providing fora, a catalogue, market place and flexibility to address new threats. The project will be conducted by a consortium of 18 partners, of which 11 and the coordinator are practitioners, under the advice of the EC Community of Users. It aggregates the various dimensions of the project (acute care, operations and training), supported by the already large networks. To disseminate and exploit the NO-FEAR recommendations, an ambitious strategy will be implemented, including workshops, demonstrations and communication events every 6 months. This will enable knowledge sharing, build a common understanding and promote innovation uptake by organising technology showcases and demonstrations in a real practitioner environment.