The COPILOT project, launched under the EIT Food – HEI Initiative, marks a bold step forward in strengthening the innovation and entrepreneurship capacity of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across Europe, with a dedicated focus on Sustainable Energy and Clean Technologies (SECT).
By fostering collaboration between pioneering and emerging institutions, COPILOT supports structural and cultural change within universities to unlock their full potential as engines of deep tech innovation. The project promotes inclusive, cross-border partnerships to address climate challenges through entrepreneurship, education, and applied research.
Equipping the Next Generation for a Clean Energy Future
Throughout its implementation, COPILOT will:
Train 1,500 students and 550 academic staff in key SECT domains,
Support the creation of 30 startups and generate 25 new clean tech jobs by 2030,
Strengthening the role of universities — particularly those in less developed regions — as catalysts for sustainable innovation.
By aligning its activities with the EU Green Deal and regional Smart Specialisation Strategies, COPILOT ensures that its impact extends beyond academia into society and industry, addressing both environmental and economic needs.
A Diverse and Impact-Driven Consortium
The project is implemented by a pan-European consortium composed of 10 diverse institutions from both EU and non-EU countries, reflecting a strong commitment to inclusiveness, capacity-building, and knowledge exchange. The partners include:
- Danish Technological University (DTU) – Project Coordinator (Denmark)
- Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University (Ukraine)
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Greece)
- Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (iED) (Greece)
- Križevci University of Applied Sciences (Croatia)
- National Documentation Centre (EKT) (Greece)
- National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine (NULES) (Ukraine)
- The Cyprus Institute (Cyprus)
- University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM) (Spain)
- University of Information, Science and Technology “St. Paul the Apostle” (North Macedonia)
Each partner contributes its expertise in research, innovation, capacity-building, and technology transfer. Together, they form a vibrant ecosystem that enables the design of innovation-driven curricula, fosters startup support services, and ensures knowledge dissemination across borders.
About COPILOT
COPILOT is funded by the EIT Food – Higher Education Institutions Initiative, supported by the European Union. The project strengthens European universities’ capacity to lead innovation in sustainable energy technologies, while promoting entrepreneurship and green job creation.