Title page
Contents
Acknowledgements 5
Acronyms and Abbreviations 7
Executive Summary 9
Rationale and Context 10
The current policy context regulating the interplay between universities and society in Italy 14
KEC and co-creation projects: the international perspective 16
Data originated from the ITA.CON Project 18
The way forward: three priority areas of action to enhance KEC in Italy 22
Action plan to enhance KEC in Italy 27
Roadmap 30
References 33
Notes 35
Annex A. The methodology of the ITA.CON project 35
Annex B. The KEC Survey and interview questions (in Italian) 38
Annex C. Agenda of ITA.CON Stakeholder Workshop (in Italian) 41
Annex D. The ITA.CON database 43
Figure 1. In 2023, Italy continues its performance as "moderate innovator" 11
Figure 2. Italy's productivity of labour has been stagnating, and currently stands below OECD and EU average 12
Figure 3. Regional differences in Italy in terms of innovation, compared to other European countries 13
Figure 4. Problems identified by universities and their partners, by three geographical areas 19
Figure 5. The types of partners with which universities co-conduct KEC activities 20
Figure 6. A representation of definitions used by universities in defining KEC 21
Figure 7. Roadmap 30
Boxes
Box 1. Collaboration initiatives for the green transition from 9 OECD countries and an international consortium 17
Box 2. Recommended Ministerial Regulatory Strategies for Streamlining university organisation to boost the efficiency and societal impact of Knowledge Exchange... 23
Box 3. Suggested Recommendations to Establish effective mechanisms to encourage collaboration between universities and other actors 25
Box 4. Increase the funding available for Knowledge Exchange and Collaboration (KEC) Activities 26