InnovaCyBridge Phase 1. A Year of Learning, Capacity Building, and Collaboration

Promotional video showcasing InnovaCyBridge Phase 1 activities, including training, workshops, course delivery, and European-level engagement.

Building the Foundations for Cybersecurity Education and Innovation

Phase 1 of InnovaCyBridge has laid a strong foundation for advancing cybersecurity management education and innovation across Europe. Over the past year, the project has delivered structured training programmes, strengthened institutional capacity, and created opportunities for learners, educators, and innovators to engage in hands-on, face-to-face activities.

Through a combination of training, workshops, and European-level engagement, InnovaCyBridge has focused on equipping higher education institutions and learners with practical skills while fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and innovation ecosystems.

Strengthening Teaching Capacity Through Train-the-Trainer

Group photo of Aston University trainers and trainees from BME, HMU, and UBANS during the onsite InnovaCyBridge Train-the-Trainer programme at Hellenic Mediterranean University in Greece.

A key milestone of Phase 1 was the onsite Train-the-Trainer programme hosted at Hellenic Mediterranean University in Greece. This activity focused on building institutional capacity by equipping educators with the knowledge, tools, and methodologies needed to deliver advanced cybersecurity management education.

By investing in educators, the project ensures the sustainability and scalability of its training programmes across partner institutions, supporting long-term impact beyond the initial delivery phase.

Innovation and Funding Nights Across Europe

InnovaCyBridge also delivered a series of Innovation and Funding Nights across four locations, bringing together students, researchers, startups, and ecosystem actors in face-to-face settings. These events provided practical insights into funding opportunities, challenge-driven innovation, and pathways from research to entrepreneurship.

The Budapest edition, hosted at BME, additionally featured guest speakers, enriching discussions with perspectives from academia and industry. A full overview of these workshops and their outcomes is available in our dedicated article on the Innovation and Funding Nights, which can be accessed here.

Face-to-Face Cyber Management Course Programme

The project’s Cyber Management Course Programme was delivered through face-to-face classes, placing strong emphasis on real-world application and practical learning. Learners engaged directly with instructors and peers, complemented by testimonials that reflect the relevance and impact of the training.

Face-to-face cybersecurity course session delivered at University of Business Academy in Novi Sad

Face-to-face cybersecurity course session delivered at Hellenic Mediterranean University

During Phase 1, more than 2,600 learners enrolled across five specialised cybersecurity modules, demonstrating strong demand and engagement from diverse target groups.

European Visibility and Knowledge Exchange

Beyond training and workshops, InnovaCyBridge strengthened its European visibility through participation in IVAP Kraków. This engagement supported knowledge exchange, collaboration with other higher education and innovation initiatives, and the positioning of InnovaCyBridge within the broader European innovation ecosystem.

Group photo of InnovaCyBridge partners with project manager Antoine Berwart during the IVAP event in Kraków

Capturing Phase 1 in Motion and Looking Ahead

The newly released promotional video brings together the highlights of Phase 1, capturing the people, activities, and impact achieved across countries and institutions. It reflects the project’s focus on learning, capacity building, and collaboration, while setting the stage for what comes next.

As InnovaCyBridge transitions into Phase 2, the project will build on this momentum by expanding course delivery, deepening cross-border collaboration, and strengthening pathways from education to innovation.