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Three mandates, one thread.

EU-funded Team Europe programmes, contracted by HAUS and delivered on the ground in Gaborone.

Our current portfolio

Three mandates, one continuous thread.

All three are contracted by HAUS (Finnish Institute of Public Management) under EU-funded Team Europe initiatives.

Programme timelineHAUS · Team Europe
Dec 2025 – Sep 2026
01Completed

Digital Innovation Network, SmartBots Lab & Open Data Hackathons

PeriodDec 2025 – Sep 2026
PartnersBotswana Digital & Innovation Hub
Contracted byHAUS · Team Europe
Digital Innovation NetworkSetting up and coordinating a national network of innovation actors.
SmartBots LabRunning lab programming that moves digital ideas towards pilots.
Open Data HackathonsChallenges that connect local talent with real public problems.
About the projectThree linked workstreams, one goal: a digital ecosystem that works together.

Our first Team Europe mandate, contracted by HAUS and delivered with the Botswana Digital & Innovation Hub. Botswana had talent, ideas and willing institutions, but few shared routes between them.

Over ten months we built those routes: a national Digital Innovation Network to connect actors, the SmartBots Lab to move ideas towards pilots, and Open Data Hackathons to put public problems in front of local teams.

Objectives
IConnect the ecosystemBring hubs, government, academia and industry into one coordinated national network.
IIMove ideas to pilotsGive digital ideas a structured route from concept through testing to pilot-ready.
IIIOpen up public dataUse open data challenges to link local talent with real public-sector problems.
IVBuild lasting capabilityLeave routines, templates and relationships BDIH can run beyond the mandate.
Results
01A working national networkInnovation actors mapped, convened and meeting on a regular coordination rhythm.
02SmartBots Lab in operationLab programming running, with ideas moving through testing towards pilots.
03Open data hackathons deliveredChallenges set with public problem owners and solved by local teams.
04Delivered in full over 10 monthsCompleted on time, with disaggregated data and transparent reporting.
05A mandate that continuedThe work laid the foundation for SmartBots Lab Phase 2 from August 2026.
Lessons learnt
Start with the problem ownerHackathons and pilots land when a public owner commits to the challenge from day one.
Rhythm beats eventsRegular, light coordination kept the network alive between big moments.
Report as you goDisaggregated data collected throughout made reporting simple and decisions faster.
Aug 2026 – Jun 2027
02Active

SmartBots Lab Phase 2 & Innovation Network Facilitation

PeriodAug 2026 – Jun 2027
PartnersBDIH · SmartBots Lab · BNIN
Contracted byHAUS · Team Europe
SmartBots Lab Phase 2Taking lab concepts through to validated pilots and adoption.
Network facilitationKeeping BDIH, SmartBots Lab and BNIN working as one network.
ContinuityBuilding on the outcomes of mandate 01.
About the projectPhase 2 takes the lab from promising ideas to adopted solutions.

Our second Team Europe mandate, contracted by HAUS, runs from August 2026 to June 2027 with BDIH, the SmartBots Lab and the Botswana National Innovation Network (BNIN).

Mandate 01 built the routes. Phase 2 puts them to work: taking lab concepts through validated pilots towards adoption, while keeping BDIH, SmartBots Lab and BNIN operating as one network rather than three.

Objectives
IValidate lab conceptsMove the strongest SmartBots Lab ideas through testing and validation.
IIPrepare real pilotsShape pilots with public and private owners who will use the results.
IIIFacilitate one networkKeep BDIH, SmartBots Lab and BNIN aligned on shared priorities and rhythm.
IVPlan for adoptionBuild adoption and scale plans into every pilot from the start.
Expected results
01Validated pilotsLab concepts tested with users and ready for pilot owners.
02Pilot designs with adoptersEach pilot agreed with the organisation that will take it forward.
03A coordinated networkShared calendar, routines and reporting across BDIH, SmartBots Lab and BNIN.
04Adoption and scale plansA clear next step for every pilot beyond June 2027.
Lessons we’re applying
Owners first, then pilotsCarried from mandate 01: pilots only start once an owner commits.
Keep the rhythm lightRegular, short coordination keeps three partners moving as one.
Design for the hand-overAdoption is planned from day one, not after the pilot ends.
Oct 2026 – Oct 2027
03Active

AEDIB Innovation Policy Support (SO1)

PeriodOct 2026 – Oct 2027Option to May 2028
PartnersMCI · MTE · Research & Innovation Council
Contracted byHAUS · Team Europe
Policy supportHelping MCI and MTE implement innovation policy.
Research & Innovation CouncilSupporting the council’s set-up and working rhythm.
Extension optionScope to continue through to May 2028.
About the projectHelping national innovation policy move from paper to practice.

Our third Team Europe mandate, contracted by HAUS under AEDIB Specific Objective 1, runs from October 2026 to October 2027, with an option to continue to May 2028.

We work alongside the Ministry of Communications and Innovation (MCI), the Ministry of Tertiary Education (MTE) and the Research & Innovation Council, supporting policy implementation and the council’s set-up and working rhythm.

Objectives
ISupport policy implementationHelp MCI and MTE turn innovation policy commitments into delivery.
IIStand up the CouncilSupport the Research & Innovation Council’s set-up and ways of working.
IIIConnect policy to the ecosystemLink national policy to hubs, labs and the wider innovation network.
IVKeep the thread goingBuild continuity that can carry through the extension option to 2028.
Expected results
01Policy work streams in motionSupport across four national innovation policy work streams.
02A working Council rhythmAgreed routines, agendas and follow-through for the Research & Innovation Council.
03Ecosystem input to policyEvidence and voices from hubs and labs feeding into policy decisions.
04Transparent reportingDisaggregated data and clear reporting to HAUS and partners.
Lessons we’re applying
Bring the ecosystem into the roomWhat we learned running the network informs how policy is shaped.
Report as you goReporting built in from the start keeps decisions fast.
Continuity mattersThree linked mandates mean relationships don’t restart each time.
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