The UP is one of Slovenia’s leading institutions in European research, ranking 4th among 642 national institutions for Horizon Europe and H2020 funding and consistently securing highly competitive EU research grants. Among this successful funding projects is also the InnoRenew project. Horizon 2020’s WIDESPREAD-2-Teaming program, awarded €15 million to establish the institute InnoRenew CoE, complemented by €30 million from the Slovenian government.
The story of InnoRenew CoE is one of ambition and transformation. It began in 2013, when a group of visionary researchers proposed creating a wood science center in Slovenia, an idea that quickly gained leadership support and started with a project that would reshape the national research landscape.
InnoRenew CoE grew into a dynamic multidisciplinary hub, and in 2021 it opened its state-of-the-art facility in Izola, the largest wooden building in Slovenia. Built on Restorative Environmental and Ergonomic Design principles, it houses advanced laboratories that support cutting-edge research and demonstrate sustainable design in practice. This summer, InnoRenew CoE merged with the UP, joining the UP Andrej Marušič Institute to ensure long-term sustainability and strengthen the link between research and education. As part of the university, InnoRenew CoE is leading the NEB Academy, deliver specialized trainings and microcredentials, and integrate its expertise across study programs, expanding knowledge transfer and skills development across Europe.
Among the inspiring projects from Slovenia, featured in the Science4EU campaign, is ARCHI-SKIN Bioinspired living skin for architecture project, led by Dr. Anna Sandak. Her team at the InnoRenew CoE is using the power of fungi to create a living, self-healing biofilm. This eco-friendly coating aims to replace conventional, toxic materials.
By joining the Science4EU campaign as a partner, the UP confirms once again its commitment to advancing scientific excellence and demonstrating how EU support can transform visionary ideas into excellent research.
More information is available here.