π Tender Overview
Grant agreement ID: 101340052
EC signature date
21 October 2026
Start date
1 December 2026
End date
30 November 2029
Objective
POLARIS aims to strengthen research excellence, international recognition and institutional capacity of the Faculty of Economics, University of NiΕ‘, with the Centre for Local Economic Policies and Analyses as affiliated partner, in the field of urban living intelligence, focusing on wellbeing and people-centred data-informed policy design for sustainable and inclusive cities. The project addresses key challenges in widening countries: territorial disparities, limited analytical capacities for evidence-based policymaking and insufficient integration of citizen perspectives in urban policy processes. The project will achieve its objectives through a structured twinning collaboration with leading European research institutions, UniversitΓ© Paris Dauphine and University College London, fostering knowledge transfer, joint research and institutional transformation. Specifically, POLARIS will:
? Strengthen research excellence and innovation capacity through co-development of an integrated urban wellbeing analytical framework, supported by joint research, high-impact publications and training;
? Build strategic and sustainable international collaboration through structured mobility, joint research agendas and long-term partnerships;
? Increase institutional visibility, reputation and attractiveness through international conferences, knowledge hubs and dissemination;
? Improve research management and administrative capacities through targeted training, strategy development and alignment with EU standards and RRI principles;
? Develop innovative R&I approaches through interdisciplinary exchange, mobility and citizen science-based co-creation of policy solutions.
POLARIS directly responds to the objectives of the Horizon Twinning call by strengthening scientific excellence, research management capacities and long-term institutional transformation in a widening country, while contributing to EU priorities on sustainable urban development, cohesion and citizen-centred innovation.
