Launch of New EU Research Project “Impact Licensing Initiative (ILI)”
A Strategic Tool for Harnessing Technology and Data to Address Societal Challenges in Europe
Developing a set of innovative, practicable solutions, the interdisciplinary consortium of five international partners aims to bring technologies to societal markets in a sustainable way.
Brussels, Belgium – 10 October 2024
The Impact Licensing Initiative (ILI) is dedicated to leveraging technology and data to address global challenges. Through innovative solutions and strategic partnerships, the research team sets out to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all. The new collaborative endeavour bringing together five partners from Belgium, Croatia, Germany and the UK will leave its mark in enabling companies to expand their societal value-creation potential. Funded through the European Union’s Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, the project will receive EUR 2 million over the next three years. In a rapidly changing world, technologies and data remain underutilised in addressing the pressing societal challenges of our time. The COVID-19 pandemic and the recent war in Ukraine have highlighted significant gaps and new technology needs within Europe's systems, impacting health, environment, energy, and more.
Impact licensing emerges as a strategic instrument designed to optimise the valorisation potential of technologies and data, while simultaneously preserving their economic value. This innovative approach involves granting time-bound, voluntary permission by technology holders to access their intellectual property (IP), a technology, a product, or service under preferred conditions to a predefined market. The aim is to meet specified societal purposes, such as addressing unmet social or environmental needs, or responding to crisis situations.
“Impact licensing not only addresses urgent needs but also offers significant incentives for technology holders. These include opportunities for market exploration, reverse (frugal) innovation, and access to real-world data on technology performance and impact indicators”, explains Johan Moyersoen, coordinator of the ILI project and founding Director of the initiative of the same name based in Leuven, Belgium.
The ILI project will develop an integrated toolkit comprising six instruments and two training modules. Additionally, a network of intermediaries (clearing houses) will be established across the EU to promote impact licensing as an IP instrument. The objectives of this initiative are fourfold:
- Societal Value Creation: The focus is on aligning technologies with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that innovations contribute to addressing critical societal and environmental challenges. By prioritizing these goals, the project aims to foster sustainable development and improve quality of life across Europe and beyond.
- A Resilient Europe: The recent crises have underscored the need for resilience. This project ensures that Europe can maintain access to crucial technologies and data during emergencies, thus safeguarding public welfare and stability.
- Innovation and Research: By providing access to real-world performance data, impact licensing becomes a catalyst for continuous innovation. Technology holders can refine and improve their products based on tangible insights, driving forward research and development.
- Market Exploration: Impact licensing opens new avenues for market exploration, allowing technology holders to enter emerging markets with reduced risk. This approach promotes economic growth and the dissemination of beneficial technologies to underserved areas.
By introducing impact licensing, ILI seeks to pave the way for a more resilient, innovative, and socially responsible Europe. The project represents a significant step towards aligning technology and data with society's critical needs, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and equitable world.
“At RISE, we believe in the power of innovation to drive societal progress and sustainable economic growth. As a partner in the Impact Licensing Initiative (ILI), we are excited to use our expertise to promote collaboration between research, academia, and industry, building a network that strengthens the innovation ecosystem across Europe, especially in the EU13 countries. By creating tools and methods for better knowledge valorisation and impactful licensing, we aim to maximize research potential and find solutions that not only preserve economic value but also address global challenges for a sustainable and socially responsible future.” Smiljka Vikić-Topić, Head of RISE.
The project officially kicks off its activities with a first meeting in Brussels, Belgium on 24-25 September 2024.
Project Key Facts
Title: Impact Licensing Initiative
Start: 01 August 2024
Duration: 36 months
Budget: 2 Mil EUR
Coordinator: Impact Licensing Initiative
www.impactlicensing.org
Website:
www.impactlicensing.eu
Social Media:
LinkedIn
Project Partners
- Impact Licensing Initiative, Belgium
- European Research and Project Office (EURICE), Germany
- Research and Innovation Services (RISE), Croatia
- The Data Tank, Belgium
- The Chancellor Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge, UK
Contact
Project Coordination
Impact Licensing Initiative
Johan Moyersoen
Email: johan@impactlicensing.org
Project Management
European Research and Project Office GmbH (EURICE)
Cemresu Yücebalkan
Email: c.yucebalkan@eurice.eu