A website collects ideas from citizens, companies, social organizations and innovative people
Vilanova i la Geltrú will be endowed with the first strategic plan of local innovation that will mark the future strategy to be a benchmark of the digital economy in the territory. The commitment to innovation in the city was the theme of the event ‘VNG Innova: the municipality’s commitment to innovation’, within the activities of the November Fair.
VNG’s Strategic Plan for Local Innovation (PEIL) aims to set in motion a process of reflection and action by the municipality to incorporate innovation in the different sectors of society.
At the presentation, the Councilor for Innovation and Business, Conxi Martínez, appealed to the citizens of Vilanova i la Geltrú. “The proposal to create a strategic innovation plan is a unique opportunity for everyone to give ideas on how to make our city better for everyone. From innovation, but also from science, technology, the environment, health and education to the arts, culture, diversity and inclusion: all the ideas that can inspire researchers are welcome, companies, organizations and political representatives to help plan a better future for Vilanova i la Geltrú. ”
In this sense, the mayor of the city, Olga Arnau, stressed that “The VNG Innova space, within the Fair, has already been a strong commitment to creativity, health and sustainability. The objectives of the Plan are very clear, not only for the administration but also for entities and companies. It is important to take the step and move forward together and work together.
The mayoress also spoke of cities as a backbone of the country, as a closer and more agile reference for developing innovative policies. “The digital transition allows us to design scenarios that promote the balance of territories, attract and retain talent and compete more collaboratively. For this reason, we value this plan that includes and projects the work that Vilanova i la Geltrú City Council has carried out for years ”.
The PEIL is coordinated by the i2Cat foundation and has the support of the Barcelona Provincial Council. Artur Serra, deputy director of the i2Cat foundation and Jordi Colobrans, research manager of the social and digital innovation department of this body and coordinators of the plan, highlighted the ability of medium-sized cities to lead innovative processes that allow them to pass from the industrial model to the digital and collaborative model, becoming a reference in the territory.
For Jordi Colobrans, we need to talk about the culture of innovation as an experience, “Because innovation is also an experience. Culture of innovation is a way of thinking about new values, new technologies and new concepts. We want to encourage citizens who want to change the future and transmit the spirit of looking and seeing things differently and transforming them ” .
The event was attended by two representatives of business and citizenship who are part of the city’s innovative community. Diego Bellido, founding partner of NovaScann3d highlighted the ability to innovate from a parent company, opening new scenarios and markets to become a highly specialized company with agile proposals and attentive to the changing demands of the market.
Marc Escolà, coordinator of the movement maker , CV19_FAB_PENEDES_GARRAF highlighted the fact that this movement naturally brought together innovation by hosting the so-called four helices of innovation such as citizenship, research, entrepreneurship and public administration and can now be a reference in the work of preparation of this innovation plan. With more than 115 members, the makers of Garraf and Penedès made health protection material during the confinement of the Covid-19 with their personal 3D printers.
In this regard, Councilwoman Conxi Martinez explained that “That any person, collective, organization, anywhere and at any time, can have an idea that inspires research and innovation, and we want to hear all the ideas, whatever the aspect of life with which they are they relate, from creativity, the environment and health to technology, urban planning, culture or education. All of them must give a new impetus, with a new look, to innovation in Vilanova i la Geltrú ”.
To facilitate contact and the collection of ideas from both the public and the business sector or social and entrepreneurial organizations, the City Council has the website https://www.vnginnova.cat/
