Anticipating STRAtegic Long-term challenges

ongoing

The main objective of the ASTRAL (Anticipating STRAtegic Long-term challenges) project is to enable the European high-tech and deep-tech industry and in particular SMEs to identify relevant futurologic high-level trends, capitalise on the business opportunities these offer and translate them into executable and sustainable long-term strategies for competitive advantages and for coping with upcoming uncertainties in a future more than 10-20 years ahead. It therefore co-creates, co-designs and co-develops a holistic circular learning approach to develop long-term future foresighting (LTFF) skills from an education, research and training point of view as well as from the business side. ASTRAL develops (C-)VET trainings that equip current and a HEI education programme that teaches future professionals with the skills and competencies to meet the growing demand for LTFF and strategic planning. Moreover, ASTRAL establishes cooperation labs for liasoning three helices of the quintuple helix: industry, (C-)VET bodies&HEIs and policy. Cooperation labs serve for putting the learning results into practice by working together on LTFF and for mutual learning, reflection and feedback. They also involve policymakers to inform them on their Smart Specialisation Strategies within the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process. ASTRAL consists of 5 R&D work packages co-led by industry and academia partners: The 1st WP starts with an AI supported systematic inventory of existing knowledge, training offerings and field experts, who are invited to participate in the project. The 2nd and 3rd WP co-design and co-develop the HEI curriculum and(C-)VET training on LTFF with AI supported learning experiences. The 4th co-designs the framework for the cooperation labs. The 5th co-develops an online platform to provide the ASTRAL experience to the target audience. All results are thoroughly tested and piloted with target groups and stakeholders on national and international level.