REFRESH celebrated its second anniversary and a successful mid-term evaluation
Two years after securing funding, REFRESH held an anniversary gathering on Tuesday at VŠB–Technical University of Ostrava, attended by representatives of all four living laboratories and project partners. Another reason to celebrate was the successful mid-term evaluation, which the project recently passed with excellent results.
As Igor Ivan, Rector of VŠB–TUO and Director of REFRESH, noted at the opening of the meeting, 175 new researchers have already joined the project. Of the 52 excellent researchers – investigators of major European projects, ERC grant holders, or experts listed among Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers, 85 percent come from abroad.
“Bringing top researchers to the region was essential. They attract young scientists and technology companies and inspire students. From the outset, we said that change would not come from concrete, but from people. We therefore need to thank our partners and the responsible institutions for embracing this vision,” said Ivan.
The project’s achievements to date include increased scientific output at both universities, expanded contract research, and significant investment in equipment. According to the State Environmental Fund’s mid-term evaluation, all living laboratories met or exceeded the specified percentage milestones for selected performance indicators during the first half of the project.
“The project was rated as ‘refreshing’, in line with its name, and ‘exemplary’. It demonstrates a clear multiplier effect and strong potential for further long-term funding,” the evaluation report states, among other remarks.
REFRESH outcomes already address challenges facing not only the Moravian-Silesian Region. From the transition from fossil fuels to low-carbon energy sources, through the need for industrial robotization and digitalization, to the demand for new materials based on cheaper, more environmentally friendly, and geopolitically accessible raw materials.
“Today, we also mark the sad anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a situation that shook the civilized world. We are responding to this instability and the growing need to ensure security in the preparation of our strategic plans. This includes preparations for a potential follow-up strategic project that could build on REFRESH results and extend innovation research and development into additional areas,” Ivan added.
REFRESH aims to build a strong innovation ecosystem in the Moravian-Silesian Region, focusing on brain gain and the development of four specialized living laboratories. Supported by CZK 2.5 billion from the Just Transition Operational Programme, it is the largest project in the history of VŠB–TUO, implemented in cooperation with the University of Ostrava and other partners.
