NEBULA innovation ecosystem in Europe

Objectives and context

NEBULA is a European research coordination and support project (CSA) financed by the Horizon Europe framework program and is part of the Built4People partnership. Its aim is to connect stakeholders in the construction sector to maximize the impact of their innovations on the market. In this context, the NEBULA project aims to:

Increase and promote the use of sustainable, aesthetic, and inclusive solutions in the construction and renovation sector, in line with the New European Bauhaus Initiative.
Intensify interdisciplinary and intersectoral cooperation in border regions through interregional and international cluster networks, known as Built4People (B4P) Clusters.Enhance the knowledge and skills of these B4P Clusters, ensuring that the entire value chain is represented among their members.

Ultimately, the NEBULA project will prepare an action plan for replicating these clusters across all 27 European countries. By 2028, the goal is to have 10 to 14 clusters operational in Europe.

An innovation cluster refers to a local or regional ecosystem that brings together various participants from across the sector’s value chain. This environment allows each participant to leverage their expertise, foster innovation development, and streamline the process of bringing those innovations to market.

réunion de l'équipe europe du projet NEBULA

Expected results

The main objectives of this 30-month project are as follows:

To establish the first B4PICS network in Europe, which will promote interdisciplinary and cross-border collaboration.
To identify high-potential innovations and facilitate their access to the European market.
To assist SMEs in obtaining European or national/regional funding to enhance their innovations.
To replicate these clusters across the 27 European countries, thereby covering a large area and supporting the construction sector in Europe.
To support and develop sustainable actions and innovations aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Mission

NOBATEK is a key partner in the project and is primarily focused on the construction and development of the cross-border cluster known as Nouvelle-Aquitaine Euskadi Navarre. The goal of this cluster is to support local companies with their research and development (R&D) efforts and help them bring their innovations to market. The cluster comprises organizations including Odéys, BUILD:INN, TECNALIA, iCONS, and NOBATEK. Our team’s responsibility is to organize the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Euskadi Navarre cluster and provide support and resources to ensure that it effectively assists its members.

At the national level, NOBATEK is also tasked with establishing additional clusters in regions such as Pays de la Loire and Grand Est. The objective is to make cluster services accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the industry across France.

As part of these initiatives, the project is helping cluster members to test their innovations by providing access to pilot sites, living labs, and test benches. To facilitate this, NOBATEK utilizes the METABUILDING platform, which offers a comprehensive range of testing services.

Funding

1M€. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 101079859.