Europe’s Industrial Sectors Unite in Groundbreaking Initiative: Project IDEALIST Aims to
Strengthen SME Resilience and Technological Adoption

In an unprecedented collaboration, a consortium of 14 partners from across 7 European
countries have come together to launch the IDEALIST project, under the auspices of Horizon
Europe, the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation.
This ambitious initiative seeks to address the urgent challenges faced by SMEs in the EnergyIntensive Industries, Aerospace & Defence, and Mobility, Transport, & Automotive sectors,
promoting resilience, sustainable practices, and advanced technological adoption in the face of
global disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts.

Objective and Vision
IDEALIST’s core mission is to empower SMEs within these crucial industrial ecosystems to not
only anticipate and withstand unexpected global challenges but also to emerge stronger and
more competitive. The project focuses on three pivotal areas:

• Strategic Foresight: Developing tools and methodologies for SMEs to better predict and
  prepare for future challenges, transforming uncertainty into a strategic advantage.
• Technology Uptake: Facilitating the integration of advanced technologies within traditional
  SMEs, fostering partnerships that bridge the gap between innovation leaders and broader
  industry sectors.
• Supply Chain Resilience: Identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities in supply chains to
  reduce the impact of external shocks, ensuring a more stable and robust industrial base.

A Collaborative Approach to Innovation
At the heart of IDEALIST lies the commitment to collaboration and community building. Through
pilot projects and the innovative Hack&Match method, the project will encourage cross-sectoral
partnerships, leveraging the AGORA platform led by EIT Manufacturing to support matchmaking
and network strengthening among Europe’s manufacturing companies.

A Call to Action
IDEALIST represents a unique opportunity for SMEs across Europe to join forces in addressing
common challenges and seizing new opportunities for growth and innovation. The project
invites stakeholders from all participating sectors to engage with its activities, contribute to its
objectives, and benefit from its outcomes.

About the Consortium
The IDEALIST consortium comprises a diverse group of partners, including Clusters
organisations, industry leaders and research institutions from 7 European countries,
representing thousands of SMEs across the targeted sectors. An added value to the consortium,
the presence of EIT Manufacturing, a public-private partnership, co-funded by the European
Union and established in 2019. EIT Manufacturing is one of the nine Knowledge and Innovation
Communities (KIC) supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). This
collaboration ensures a broad and inclusive approach, with insights and expertise from across
the industrial spectrum.

For Further Information
For more details about the IDEALIST project, its objectives, and how to get involved, please visit
https://www.idealist-project.eu/ or contact info@idealist-project.eu.

Local contact:
Chemie-Cluster Bayern GmbH
Dr. Ting Liu, Leitung Projektmanagement Förderprojekte
liu@chemiecluster-bayern.d