Towards a More Inclusive Triple Transition and Quadruple Helix Innovation Ecosystems: The Case of the Catalonian Col·laboratori on Health and Wellbeing within the INTEGER Project

This research tackles some of the main challenges faced by European innovation ecosystems, which need to encompass a more inclusive, interdisciplinary, human and environmental-centric triple transition (Caro-González et al., 2023). Many regions in Europe have been promoting and enhancing collaboration and cooperation among the main stakeholders within their innovation ecosystems. However, most of the cases are focused on the knowledge triangle approach which is not always suitable for the inclusion of many participants, particularly those coming from the quadruple helix: citizens and social entities and actors from different age groups (intergenerational collaboration). This research is based on the INTEGER project – Interconnecting 4 helix innovation ecosystems in European regions (2023–2025), which addresses the deep existing gap between social innovators and entrepreneurs and their regional innovation ecosystems in three European regions (Catalonia, Hamburg and Krakow). The main research question is how a collaborative model, based on the quadruple helix approach, can harness higher potential of EU innovation in the critical policy area of healthy living and wellbeing. The research will use the data of the Catalonian Col·laboratori initiative, analysing specifically the case of the Col·laboratori on Health and Wellbeing to reveal the potential and barriers to consolidate the participation of social innovators.