On 29 January, CCDR Algarve, through its Regional Planning and Development Unit, promoted the 6th Innovation and Collaboration Platform (PIC), dedicated to the theme of “Health, Well-being and Longevity”, one of the priority areas of the Algarve Regional Strategy for Smart Specialisation (EREI Algarve).
The initiative brought together more than 80 participants from the so-called quadruple helix of the regional ecosystem: universities, companies, public administration and civil society, reinforcing the importance of collaboration for knowledge transfer, innovation and competitiveness in the region. In the opening session, the President of CCDR Algarve, José Apolinário, highlighted the role of these platforms in coordinating the different regional actors and aligning public policies with the results of partnerships, within the scope of the Algarve 2030 Regional Programme.
Throughout the meeting, the challenges and opportunities associated with investment in research and development (R&D), the modernisation of the health sector and the focus on strategic technologies, including biotechnology, were also highlighted, with a special focus on creating innovative solutions with a practical impact on the region.
Among the contributions presented, the participation of Hugo Pereira, general coordinator of GreenCoLab, stood out, bringing to the discussion the topic of algae and their role in health and well-being. The intervention highlighted the potential of algae as a strategic natural resource, with applications in nutrition, while also emphasising more sustainable development models.
The importance of GreenCoLab’s work in promoting sustainability through collaborative research, the valorisation of marine resources and the connection between science, industry and society was also highlighted. This work plays an important role in the transition to a greener and more innovative economy, in line with regional and European objectives for health, well-being and longevity.
The initiative also included round tables and spaces for entrepreneurial discovery, promoting the sharing of projects, challenges and opportunities for collaboration, reinforcing the Algarve’s commitment to a strategy of innovation focused on people, knowledge and sustainability.
