News & Blog

News and Blog

Read our latest blog posts, articles, and announcements.

FRANCIS Challenge 1: An Overview into the Final Event and the Top 3 Innovators

FRANCIS Challenge 1: An Overview into the Final Event and the Top 3 Innovators

On August 17th, 2023, the virtual stage was set for the final event of the 1st Challenge under the Horizon 2020 funded EU project FRANCIS that focused on kitchen and household solutions. From an initial pool of 110 participants from around the globe, the challenge ...

The Power of Frugal Innovations: Making a Positive Impact on People’s Lives

The Power of Frugal Innovations: Making a Positive Impact on People’s Lives

Frugal innovations are getting noticed for their ability to make a positive impact on communities, particularly those dealing with financial difficulties. But it is not all about the economic aspect. This article delves into why we should also focus on the social ...

FRANCIS Innovation Challenge: Kickstarting Round Three with Selected Teams Ready to Prototype Their Groundbreaking Ideas!

FRANCIS Innovation Challenge: Kickstarting Round Three with Selected Teams Ready to Prototype Their Groundbreaking Ideas!

At the end of the second round, FRANCIS received 16 idea proposals. 6 teams were invited to proceed to the third round. In the third round, the remaining teams receive targeted and individual support in developing their prototype based on their concept.

Round Two of The First FRANCIS Challenge For BSH Has Begun!

Round Two of The First FRANCIS Challenge For BSH Has Begun!

When you do household and kitchen chores, do you constantly feel something is missing to help you with these activities? Do you need quick and efficient solutions?

Auf los geht’s los!

Auf los geht’s los!

FRANCIS Ideen-Wettbewerb rund um KĂĽche und Haushalt nimmt Fahrt auf

The First FRANCIS Challenge for BSH is Accepting Applications Now!

The First FRANCIS Challenge for BSH is Accepting Applications Now!

When you do household and kitchen chores, do you constantly feel something is missing to help you with these activities? Do you need quick and efficient solutions?

Updated Call For “Buddies” For BSH Challenge in FRANCIS Project

Updated Call For “Buddies” For BSH Challenge in FRANCIS Project

Up for a challenge? Join FRANCIS as a buddy and help us develop great solutions to improve people’s lives!

Notes from FRANCIS Project Review Meeting Held in Paris in Mid-October 2022

Notes from FRANCIS Project Review Meeting Held in Paris in Mid-October 2022

The FRANCIS consortium got together in person for the first time in Paris between October 17-19, 2022. Due to Covid travel restrictions, the consortium members were only able to do virtual meetings so far, therefore this opportunity to meet was welcomed by all.

Stuttgart Science Festival – Interactive event for kids and grown-ups

Stuttgart Science Festival – Interactive event for kids and grown-ups

The first FRANCIS challenge will start soon! On 25 June, the project invited citizens to roll up their sleeves and spin ideas related to kitchen and household.

Stuttgarter Wissenschaftsfestival  – Mitmach-Aktion fĂĽr kleine und groĂźe Haushaltshelden

Stuttgarter Wissenschaftsfestival – Mitmach-Aktion fĂĽr kleine und groĂźe Haushaltshelden

Endspurt fĂĽr den ersten Ideen-Wettbewerb von FRANCIS!

Call For “Student Buddies” For BSH Challenge in FRANCIS Project

Call For “Student Buddies” For BSH Challenge in FRANCIS Project

Up for a challenge? Join FRANCIS as a student buddy and help us develop great solutions to improve people’s lives!

The second Citizen Science round table in the FRANCIS project

The second Citizen Science round table in the FRANCIS project

In order to generate needed input to make recommendations for the FRANCIS challenges, we conducted a second Citizen Science Round Table on the 26th of November 2021. While the first citizen science Round Table attempted to address more generalised issues ...

The first Citizen Science round table in the FRANCIS project

The first Citizen Science round table in the FRANCIS project

On September 17, 2021, the first citizen roundtable as part of the FRANCIS project took place. Our aim of the project consortium was to gain more insights about motivations and barriers with which civil participants are confronted during projects with governmental,

Overview of the first Industry round table in the FRANCIS project

Overview of the first Industry round table in the FRANCIS project

At EU Project FRANCIS, we have held our first industry roundtable to share the findings from the literature review and interviews conducted in order to use this insights to prepare for the upcoming Frugal Innovation Challenges.

FRANCIS – Frugal innovations by the people for the people

FRANCIS – Frugal innovations by the people for the people

Frugal innovations Demand for affordable yet high-quality solutions is soaring. Fraunhofer and VTT, two of Europe's most renowned research organisations, joined forces with manufacturing companies and other partners to determine what innovations would benefit ...