SUNRISE Co-creation Workshop: A Successful Step Towards An Integrated Impact Assessment
On the 26th of February 2025, the SUNRISE project hosted its first SUNRISE Co-creation Workshop: An introduction on the Integrated Impact Assessment Approach (IIAA). The invitation-only event, held virtually via Zoom, brought together key stakeholders to engage in an interactive discussion on the development and implementation of the IIAA. With a strong turnout and dynamic engagement, the workshop proved to be a highly productive session, setting the foundation for future collaboration.
This workshop was of great importance because…
Advanced materials (AdMa) are at the forefront of technological innovation and sustainability. However, assessing their environmental, health and safety (EHS), and sustainability impacts remains a challenge due to their complexity. The SUNRISE project aims to address this through the development of the IIAA—a structured, life cycle-based methodology designed to support Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) decision-making across supply chains.
The primary objective of this workshop was to establish a collaborative dialogue with stakeholders and ensure that the IIAA framework aligns with their needs and expectations. Stakeholders play a pivotal role in the iterative development and refinement of the IIAA, ensuring its applicability, acceptance, and future implementation.
We used an interactive board to ensure all the stakeholders in the workshop has an active role in shaping the session.
Engaging stakeholders effectively in the development of the IIAA is crucial for SUNRISE objectives.
The workshop introduced participants to the IIAA’s 3-tiered approach, which enables varying levels of assessment, from identifying promising alternatives to conducting in-depth evaluations of safety and sustainability performance. The discussion focused on key aspects such as:
The role of stakeholders in shaping the IIAA
Stakeholder perspectives on the tiered structure
The relative importance of assessment criteria and trade-offs within the framework
The event began with an introduction to the SUNRISE project and the goals of the workshop by the SUNRISE project coordinator Danail Hristozov (EMERGE), followed by an engaging icebreaker activity led by Maria Kotzagianni (Hypertech).
Lisa Pizzol (Green Decision) then provided a comprehensive overview of the IIAA, setting the stage for deeper discussions.
A core part of the workshop was the Stakeholder Priorities Mapping session, where participants were divided into three breakout rooms moderated by Liza Pizzol, Danail Hristozov and Alex Zabeo (GreenDecision). Each group explored critical questions, such as the most necessary assessment tiers, the structure/purpose of IIAA, the trade-offs question in the assessments.
The breakout discussions provided valuable insights, which were consolidated into a prioritised list of stakeholder concerns and expectations. This outcome will guide the next steps in refining the IIAA methodologies and the associated web platform.
The workshop concluded with a presentation by Yasemin Ertuğrul (Yordas Group) on upcoming stakeholder engagement activities, including a planned stakeholder survey and in-depth interviews on trade-offs in safety and sustainability of advanced materials. Final remarks by the Danail Hristozov emphasised the importance of ongoing stakeholder engagement in ensuring the successful development of the IIAA.
All in all…
The SUNRISE Co-creation Workshop was a remarkable success, fostering an inclusive and productive dialogue among stakeholders. The insights gained will play a crucial role in refining the IIAA, ensuring it effectively supports safety and sustainability in advanced materials.
This event marks the first of many collaborative sessions to come, as the SUNRISE project continues its journey towards developing a robust and widely accepted impact assessment framework.
If you would like to join our stakeholder group and work with us, feel free to write an email to info@sunrise-horizon.eu and express your interest.
