European Universities, Knowledge Alliances and the EIT’s HEI Initiative within their territorial ecosystems

Higher education (HE) is increasingly recognised as a driver of innovation and an actor of change in territorial transformation. Three EU initiatives specifically support the contribution of HE to territorial development and transformative innovation and were analysed to determine the extent of their impact. The impact of the initiatives and projects funded is highly heterogeneous, reflecting distinct territorial, institutional, policy and sectoral contexts across the EU, as well as varying institutional capabilities.