These courses aim to equip international city practitioners, commissioners, and decision makers with very practical training that can be applied independently from your local context. They will equip you with new concepts and ideas from some of our experts in the field of local innovation.

Breaking the Silos on Local Innovation course

The first course of our series, Breaking the Silos on Local Innovation, looks into two critical aspects of the public sector when it comes to the theme of Innovation: how do I commission it and how to host it?The two modules can be taken together or independently.Breaking the Silos on Local Innovation – Module 1

Innovation Procurement: Why introducing innovation in the public sector isn’t as hard as you probably think

(Module Duration: 1h30min)

Tackling the procurement problem!

Ask pioneering place leaders what is stopping them from harnessing the creativity of the market to solve their pressing service and policy challenges and you will get the same answer: “Procurement policy doesn’t allow it.” However, in our experience the challenge lies less with procurement policy itself than with its popular perception. We explore some ideas for how to change procurement processes to make this possible.

Breaking the Silos on Local Innovation – Module 2

‘Innovation Districts, Parks and Quarters: What it takes to establish a local hub of Innovation!

(Module Duration: 1h30min)

Across over 100 cities worldwide, buildings and districts have been designated future centres of innovation, but not all live up to their name.

This module will examine demand preconditions, location requirements, and interventions or catalysts that enable places to host innovation economies successfully across different formats and scales. We have used examples from original research from more than 30 places of innovation to create this module.

Connected Places Catapult

Connected Places Catapult is the UK’s innovation accelerator for cities, transport, and places. We provide impartial ‘innovation as a service’ for public bodies, businesses, and infrastructure providers to catalyse step-change improvements in the way people live, work and travel. We connect businesses and public sector leaders to cutting-edge research to spark innovation and grow new markets. And we run technology demonstrators and SME accelerators to scale new solutions that drive growth, spread prosperity, and eliminate carbon.

The CITYxCITY Academy

Hosted by the Open & Agile Smart Cities network, the CITYxCITY Academy helps cities & communities to accelerate change and create a positive impact for citizens across the globe.Accessible entirely online, the CITYxCITY Academy delivers theoretical and practical knowledge concerning the digital transformation of cities and communities directly to your desk. Our ambition is to provide local administrations with the knowledge and tools to experiment with and implement innovative solutions in the city.The CITYxCITY Academy will support your city in enabling a thriving digital economy where citizens, businesses, research, and local administrations are working hand-in-hand for a better quality of life.

Want to know more about our online courses?

Please contact the Global Team at global@cp.catapult.org.uk