Assessing and Studying Performance for Innovative Resilience and Excellence
ASPIRE stands for striving to achieve a shared goal of high value.
Vision
The vision of the ASPIRE Center is a knowledge-based future in which resilience and excellence drive positive change in addressing the pressing challenges of the 21st century.
We aim for local and regional quality-of-life conditions where health and safety are prioritized, the environment is preserved, digitalization enhances everyday life, inequalities are reduced, and well-being and life satisfaction are strengthened.
Through a commitment to evidence-based policies and ambitious scientific advancements, our goal is to develop a research center and an international hub of knowledge that shapes sustainable and inclusive societies, empowers individual and creative talents, and improves community well-being so that people can reach their full potential.
Mission
The mission of the ASPIRE Center is to address five key scientific and public policy challenges:
- Promoting health and safety: by advancing research, policies, and practices that ensure access to quality healthcare, disease prevention, effective crisis and disaster management, and mental and social well-being.
- Advancing climate sustainability: by developing new knowledge and solutions for climate change mitigation, sustainable resource management, and environmental protection.
- Leveraging digitalization and big data: through responsible use of digital technologies and big data to drive innovation, social impact, and ethical application for the benefit of society.
- Reducing inequalities and poverty: by advocating inclusive policies, conducting data-driven research, and implementing interventions that address social disparities.
- Enhancing well-being and life satisfaction: by focusing on holistic well-being, mental health, and quality of life through advanced research and strategic initiatives.
Through rigorous research, partnerships, and evidence-based policy recommendations, the Center aims to lead transformative change from the local to the global level.
Center of Excellence
The five drivers of excellence of the ASPIRE Center are:
- Knowledge leadership (economic performance, industrial clusters, leadership)
- Innovative approaches (forward-thinking, new cooperative models)
- Regional and global impact (multi-level interactive approaches)
- Collaboration and partnerships (connection with international networks)
- Empowerment of talents and organizations (creating opportunity platforms)
These drivers guide the Center’s commitment to performance assessment, strategic resilience (“prosilience”), and scientific excellence.
Organization
The ASPIRE Center operates as an agile, project-oriented organization:
- Parallel small research teams
- Dedicated teaching staff for short-term programs (students and professionals)
- Targeted participation in national and international research programs
- Strong focus on publishing in high-quality scientific journals
- Coordination of international scientific networks and platforms
Institutional Background
The Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Rijeka has been a prominent higher education institution since 1961, educating economists, professionals, and researchers in the region.
Its success in scientific, professional, and educational fields is built on long-term collaboration and synergy between faculty, students, and administrative staff, as well as strong integration with local, national, and international communities.
The Faculty is a regional leader in knowledge transfer and established the Center for Local Economic Development in 2013, which has successfully implemented more than 50 projects and provided advisory services to ministries, cities, and companies.
It has also contributed to the development of the ESTAT regional development index software, used by the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds.
Key Initiatives and Networks
- Business Friendly Certification South East Europe (BFC SEE) – strengthening local government competitiveness
- Membership in the Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT UN)
- Organization of the annual Economics of Digital Transformation (EDT) Conference
- Participation in Horizon, Erasmus, and Interreg projects
Research Focus
Current research priorities include:
- Resilience and regenerative economy
- Economics of well-being
- Application of artificial intelligence in education, governance, and business
Organizational Structure
The ASPIRE Center operates with a highly decentralized and project-oriented structure, enabling flexibility, innovation, and strong collaboration across research and practice.
Znanstveni direktor:
Peter Nijkaamp
Izvršne direktorice:
Karima Kourtit
Petra Adelajda Zaninović
Vanjski partneri:
Carlos Moreno
Carlo Ratti