The transition towards a circular economy requires more than new technologies. It also requires new ways of thinking, designing and collaborating. Through the I3-funded Label4Future project (strand Cap2b), SMEs from less developed European regions worked with artists, designers and creative professionals to explore innovative solutions to industrial and sustainability challenges.
By integrating creative inputs into the design and production process, the project helped companies rethink products, materials and processes, while generating valuable lessons for regional innovation policies and support programmes.
Impact at a glance
- 6 SME–artist collaborations across Europe
- 3 Innovation Labs and 3 RIS3 Policy Labs organised
- 1 practical Innovation Cook Book developed for SMEs and policymakers
- More than 35 experts involved in shaping regional innovation recommendations
Rethinking innovation through creative collaboration
The Label4Future project explored how artists and creative professionals can help SMEs tackle circular economy challenges. Working with companies in sectors ranging from medical devices and plastics recycling to manufacturing and sports equipment, the project introduced creative inputs into industrial innovation processes.
The objective was not to improve product design alone, but to help companies rethink materials, production processes and business models. Through artistic residencies, innovation labs and mentoring activities, SMEs were encouraged to approach challenges from new perspectives and test ideas that would otherwise have remained unexplored.
From experimentation to tangible results
Several collaborations produced concrete outcomes.
In the Czech Republic, medical device manufacturer DIAWIN worked with artist Anka Walicka to redesign the production process for personalised diabetic insoles. By replacing traditional plaster moulds with a digital workflow based on 3D scanning and additive manufacturing, the company reported a reduction of more than 90% in manufacturing waste while improving customisation possibilities.
Photo credits: Label4Future
Another Czech collaboration involved recycling innovators MAD PLASTIC and Novavita Design; together, they developed new applications for plastic waste recovered from discarded electronic equipment. The initiative increased production capacity from 2–3 to 8–10 sheets per day and demonstrated new market opportunities for recycled materials.
Photo credits: Label4Future
Other SMEs collaborated with creative professionals to explore circular furniture, additive manufacturing, sustainable materials and new product concepts. While not every collaboration resulted in an immediate commercial product, all provided valuable insights that helped companies strengthen their innovation capacity and explore future business opportunities.
Impact beyond individual companies
One of the project's most significant achievements was the translation of these experiences into a methodology that can be reused by other regions and organisations.
Drawing on six SME–artist collaborations, Label4Future developed the Innovation Cook Book, a practical guide describing how companies can frame challenges, identify creative partners, prototype solutions and scale successful ideas. The project also generated policy recommendations through three RIS3 Policy Labs organised in Košice, bringing together more than 35 experts to discuss how regional innovation ecosystems can better support circular and cross-sector innovation.
The process identified common barriers faced by SMEs, including limited access to innovation support, financing gaps and weak connections between industry, research and creative sectors. These findings have contributed to regional discussions on future innovation policies and support instruments.
Why it matters for the I3 Instrument
Label4Future demonstrates how interregional cooperation can help less developed regions access expertise that may not be available locally. By connecting SMEs, creative professionals, innovation agencies and policymakers from different European regions, the project created new opportunities for experimentation and learning.
The project also highlights an important lesson for innovation policy: creativity is not only relevant to the cultural sector. When integrated into industrial processes, creative approaches can help SMEs identify new opportunities, accelerate circular transition and strengthen their competitiveness.
Conclusion
Label4Future showed that collaboration with creative professionals can be a driver for industrial transformation. By helping SMEs experiment with new materials, processes and business models, the project generated both tangible business outcomes and valuable insights for regional innovation ecosystems. Its legacy lives on through the methodologies, partnerships and policy recommendations, which can inform and inspire similar initiatives in other regions.
