EU report provides valuable guidance for new programs and innovations in the field of sustainability

Role of innovation

The report, authored for the European Commission by the Strategic Innovation Services team at PNO Innovation, mapped the journey from research to real-world impact and shows how innovation is addressing key themes such as:

• circularity, and the bio-economy
• sustainable cities
• energy equity, social inclusion and citizen-led engagement
• climate policy and global cooperation.

The assessment identifies key insights from project results and points to future areas of work. It highlights real-world efforts to:

• democratize innovation
• tackle structural inequalities and accelerate zero waste and climate neutrality
• align research and innovation with citizen needs (not just from a technological ambition), ensuring that no one is left behind.

Interesting read for everyone involved in sustainability issues

First, the report provides valuable insights to the European Commission (EC) to assess their project’ impacts and to guide the design of future programs in the area of sustainability. In addition to the EC and policymakers, the report is highly recommended reading for anyone who works in innovative sustainable solutions, from start-ups, enterprises, academics as well as industrial clusters and even Hubs4Circularity. The report is available here.

About the authors

Both authors work for the Strategic Innovation Services department of PNO Innovation.

Maryam Mirpourian is Innovation Consultant, and works at the intersection of research and business innovation, focusing on sustainability, circular economy and decarbonization. She has experience with EU Horizon Europe projects as well as client-driven innovation assignments, where she helps translate research results into both publications and practical strategies for impact. Her work supports the development of sustainable strategies, innovation roadmaps, inclusive business models, using co-creation processes to ensure real-world impact.

Taira Colah is Strategic Designer and Co-Lead. She helps public and private organizations navigate transitions in sustainability, deep tech, and complex systems. She has experience with EU-funded projects as well as client-driven innovation assignments. She combines foresight, business design, and cross-actor alignment to help public and private stakeholders turn ambition into actionable pathways. Her work spans clean industry, circular economy, future retail, and AI and data spaces, with a focus on enabling collaboration and creating lasting impact.

Partner with PNO Innovation for change

This report is one example of how we turn research into policy insight, impact assessment, and EU-wide visibility. We support research teams, public authorities, industries, and innovation ecosystems to design strategies that are inclusive, sustainable, and actionable.
Whether you’re scaling your results, entering new markets, building a proposal, or rethinking your next strategic move, we bring the tools, team, and mindset to make it happen. Contact us today to get a fresh perspective on your strategy and plans. Our experts are ready to support you.