The NCBR employees will donate their EUIPA award to help Ukraine

In relation to the ongoing and unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine, employees of the Polish National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) decided to allocate €25.000 from the European Innovation Procurement Awards (EUIPA) in humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

“A nationwide mobilization to help Ukraine is taking place in Poland. Congratulations and thank you to the NCBR employees who have decided to make their contribution to this inspirational and much needed rescue effort. All such activities and initiatives are another proof of the enormous power of partnership, cooperation, solidarity and simple human kindness” - noted Remigiusz Kopoczek, PhD, acting director of the NCBR. “Ukraine is an important partner for the NCBR in research and innovation activities. We share, the same values, like the need for harmonious, balanced and equitable development in various areas of economic and social life. On this occasion, we express our full support and solidarity to our Ukrainian friends and partners” – the NCBR’s director added in his statement.

The NCBR was granted the EUIPA award in November 2021 for its innovative public procurement strategy, which is one of the NCBR’s tools for advancing the European Green Deal projects.

“In the face of such a serious economic and humanitarian crisis, we cannot remain indifferent. We want to support our neighbors and show solidarity with the Ukrainian nation” - said Wojciech Racięcki, director of the Department of Innovative Program Management Development at the NCBR. He is responsible for implementing the innovative formula of pre-commercial procurement, awarded with the EUIPA award. “For over 2 years we have been working intensively to develop modern forms of supporting innovation. We are glad that the positive effects of this work and the resulting awards will benefit those who now need our help the most. The decision to hand over the prize was made jointly by the entire team involved in the project without hesitation. I am very happy to be working closely with such compassionate people” - he added.

The NCBR received an award in the first edition of the European Innovation Procurement Awards competition for innovative financing of innovation. It was organised by the European Innovation Council within the Horizon Europe programme. The NCBR applied for an award in the category of "Innovative Procurement Strategy". The jury particularly appreciated the innovative procurement strategy that was used, to carry out nine research projects implementing the objectives of the European Green Deal.