HUB-IN |

The HUB-IN [Hubs of Innovation and Entrepreneurship for the Transformation of Historic Urban Areas] project aimed to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the Historic Urban Areas [HUAs] of 8 European cities -including Nicosia-, while preserving their unique identity in relation to their natural, cultural and social values.

HUB-IN approached innovation and entrepreneurship as the main drivers of urban regeneration of the ORs, and was fully aligned with the international agendas for Cultural Sustainable Development (UNESCO) and the Cultural Heritage Strategy (Council of Europe).

The project action was divided into two stages. In the first, a Network of Innovation & Entrepreneurship Hubs (Hubs) was developed in the IPRs of the 8 cities, while in the second stage, the resulting methods and tools were upgraded into a global network of IPRs, with cities adopting the project methodology.

The Hubs tested, demonstrated and organized pilot actions of co-creation and co-design in three fields, with a view to the sustainable transformation of the ORs: (1) Cultural and creative industries, (2) New lifestyles, (3) Endogenous natural and social resources.

The project activities included:

Creation of a network of nodes that will act collectively to accelerate urban regeneration in 8 IPAs,
Value creation in pilot hubs, pilot implementation of social innovation and acceleration of sustainable entrepreneurship in the ORs,
Accumulation, upgrading and exploitation of results and creation of a global network of innovation and entrepreneurship hubs in the ORs,
Creation of a HUB-IN digital space.

The coordination of the actions planned and implemented in Nicosia was undertaken by the Municipality of Nicosia with the support of the Cyprus Energy Office.

Through its action, HUB-IN has managed to contribute to reversing the trends of abandonment and neglect of historical heritage in a systemic manner, which is expected to lead to the creation of new sustainable opportunities for local traditional businesses and the development of new creative skills and jobs.

The project was funded by the European Commission, through the Horizon 2020 program. Click here to learn more.