FUTURE4PRIMA Cyprus event strengthens PRIMA 2 impact pathways and showcases innovation uptake
Nicosia,Cyprus | 24–25 June 2026
The FUTURE4PRIMA EIESB Impact Pathway Workshop, hosted at the The Cyprus Institute at its premises in Nicosia, brought together researchers, policymakers, National Funding Agencies and innovation experts from across the Mediterranean to strengthen the future impact framework of PRIMA 2.
The event was organised under Work Package 4, led by DLR and ASRT, with dedicated input from Work Package 6, led by University of Siena and The Cyprus Institute, and coordinated by the PRIMA Foundation as FUTURE4PRIMA coordinator. Over two days, participants worked on refining impact pathways to better support the valorisation, validation and uptake of research and innovation results generated by PRIMA, and informing the programming of a potential PRIMA 2.
The workshop was officially opened by the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy of Cyprus. The EIESB Secretariat, then introduced the workshop objectives, methodology and expected outcomes, setting the scene for two days of collaborative work.
A key presentation by the PRIMA Foundation provided participants with an update on the development of the PRIMA 2 Joint Programme and explained how the four concepts developed through the EIESB roadmapping process have been reflected in the proposal.
Rather than presenting the four concepts as predefined future instruments, the presentation clarified how they have helped shape the PRIMA 2 Bridge to Implementation- and Uptake-Readiness. This bridge provides a structured approach to connecting promising research results with screening, profiling, validation, readiness evidence, visibility and follow-on opportunities.
SLIDE IMAGE – PRIMA 2 Bridge to Implementation- and Uptake-Readiness, presented by Antonella Autino
The presentation also explained how each EIESB concept was considered in the Joint Programme: the additional valorisation fund was reframed into programme-level valorisation functions; the validation call was reflected as the closest potential mechanism for multi-context testing; the marketplace concept informed the idea of stronger visibility and discoverability of PRIMA results; and the monitoring mechanism was integrated into programme learning, portfolio intelligence and feedback from users and territories.
Throughout the workshop, participants worked in interactive sessions to review and improve the draft impact pathways associated with the four concepts. Discussions focused on validating assumptions, refining causal links between inputs, outputs, outcomes and long-term impacts, identifying implementation challenges, and ensuring consistency with realistic programme delivery.
A dedicated session also explored how the proposed long-term impacts contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), using the PRIMA SDG assessment tool and a regional SDG heat map to gather expert recommendations for strengthening future programme monitoring in the view of regional priorities.
The workshop concluded with a consolidated set of revised impact pathways that will feed into the ongoing work of FUTURE4PRIMA and support the continued development of PRIMA 2, strengthening the programme’s approach to bridging research excellence with implementation and uptake.
The second day continued with the F4P–PRIMA2BUSINESS Pitching Contest Finals, organised to showcase innovative solutions emerging from PRIMA-funded research and to foster dialogue between innovators and potential investors. Following the eligibility screening, three finalist teams pitched their innovations, highlighting the commercial potential of research results and the importance of supporting their journey towards market uptake and societal impact.
The event concluded with the announcement of the winning project, celebrating an innovative solution with strong potential to contribute to more sustainable and resilient Mediterranean food systems and water management.
The winner VALOstones transforms Mediterranean olive stones into high-value prebiotic food ingredients, addressing agricultural waste while promoting a circular bioeconomy, sustainable food production and healthier diets across the Mediterranean.
The second winner MoreMedDiet develops scientifically validated Mediterranean food solutions with digital traceability, helping food manufacturers deliver healthier, locally sourced products while strengthening sustainable food systems and consumer confidence across the Mediterranean.
Both winners were awarded a EUR 10,000 voucher for taking the solutions a step closer to the market.
By combining strategic dialogue on the future design of PRIMA 2 with concrete examples of innovation moving closer to the market, the Cyprus event demonstrated FUTURE4PRIMA’s commitment to strengthening the full innovation pathway: from research results to validation, visibility, collaboration and real-world impact across the Mediterranean.
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#ResearchImpact #Innovation #Mediterranean #WEFENexus #SDGs #ResearchToImpact
