Under the framework of the Brain Capital Alliance (BCA), EMEA team Prof. Rym Ayadi, Cynthia Echave and Najat El Mekkaoui and Dr. Harris Eyre visited Bages on July 8th to know more about one of the projects promoted by the Generalitat de Catalunya within the framework of the RIS3CAT programme, called: “Les Agendes Compartides per a la sostenibilitat i el canvi social” (Shared Agendas for sustainability and social change).
The main objective of the Shared Agendas initiative is to encourage different actors to address common challenges in a coordinated manner and promote the transition towards a more sustainable, inclusive, resilient, and fair development. The aim of the initiative is to work solutions to the problems from a collective vision that involves the key actors of the territory. The methodology used is based on the following characteristics:
- Identification of strategic challenges and a shared diagnosis, based on collaboration between different sectors and stakeholders to manage solutions with a more holistic vision.
- They focus their action on the capacity of change, transformation and sustained collective impact over time. To this end, they make use of actors whose transcendence in the territory is substantial.
- They promote participatory, flexible, and open governance.
- They promote the experimentation of innovative solutions that directly involve the collectives concerned.
- Aim to align organisations and key actors in the achievement of the stated objectives.
The project has applied the methodology in several cases in Catalonia, including Bages in Manresa in the Province of Barcelona. The visit was organised by the Department of Research and Universities by Xavier Gironès, and Tatiana Fernandez from the Economic Promotion Area, both from the Generalitat of Catalonia.
The aim of the visit was to meet the institutions that participate in the Bages Shared Agendas and the projects they are working on collaboratively.
The visit began with a welcome by Silvia Mas, Vice Chancellor of the University of Manresa Campus Vic-UCC, who highlighted the importance of extending synergies with other international initiatives. Carlota Rira, Director of the Fundació Universitària del Bages (FUB) explained the trajectory of the Foundation and the overall framework of the application of the methodology in the Bages Shared Agenda. One of the challenges that the group of entities have been working on is related to the monitoring of elderly patients, generating new mechanisms to identify the needs and the most appropriate solutions for this type of group. To this end, two areas of Manresa City Council, health and social care, are working together, combining resources and information available from both areas to agree on solutions, in the words of Lluïsa Sort. The result will not only provide better service and care for older citizens, but also represents an important step forward in local governance.
EMEA team had the opportunity to visit the FUB facilities, starting with the LAB 0-6 which has an extensive programme of activities to promote creativity with schools in Manresa. Gabriel Lemkow, Head of the Research Group on Education, Neuroscience, Experimentation and Learning at UVic-UCC (GRENEA) explained how the LAB 0-6 works and the type of programmes they organise and how the facilities assist educators in analysing children’s behaviours in a collective environment and to enhance intelligence and skills in a playful way. The facilities are open to the public on weekends, thus ensuring equal access to all families who want to use these spaces.
The group visited the facilities of CISARC – International Simulation Innovation Center where new technologies are applied for learning with medical and nursing students. Nearly one million euros have been invested to build the simulation unit that allows researchers and students to practise with multiple clinical scenarios. Marc Bernadich, Director of the Business Administration Degree, UVic-UCC, explained the synergies that are established with the creation of new business models in the territory of Bages. Bartomeu Ayala, from MAP+hub, participated in the initiative of shared agendas through the development of tools and technology to monitor and care for the elderly in their homes. He explained the importance of integrating and aligning the objectives between institutions in technological progress, seeking the necessary synergies.
The visit also included a presentation by Salvador Simo, coordinator of the Mental Health and Social Innovation Research Group (SaMIS) , who explained the various activities carried out by SaMIS from an interdisciplinary, holistic and collaborative perspective. The actions are aimed at 4 lines of research: depression-suicide, mental health promotion and social innovation disorder severe mental and neuropsychiatry. The projects developed by Simón are very focused on young people and children and use a combination of creative and cultural activities.
The visit culminated at the facilities of Avinent Implant System company, with Albert Giralt, Manager of the company. This is a company dedicated to the manufacture of personalised transplants, applying the latest technology. Avinent participates in the Shared Agenda, establishing synergies with the University of Manresa through research projects and/or scientific dissemination.
Getting to know an example of shared agendas has been a very enriching and inspiring experience. The entities that make up the ecosystem of shared agendas show that it is possible to build levers of change through shared commitment, providing solutions to common challenges. Undoubtedly, the work of the Generalitat de Catalonia has been key, and the collaboration network is being consolidated through the achievement of concrete and tangible objectives over time, making the power of change palpable.
The Brain Capital Alliance and the shared agendas project in Bages will seek collaboration to investigate research on mental health, especially when it comes to the people who take care of older people. The impact on the mental health of caregivers is an unresolved issue that needs to make steps forward.
On the Brain Capital Alliance, promoted by EMEA visit: https://braincapital-platform.net
EMEA page: https://euromed-economists.org/
