About
The Institute for Competitiveness and Communication (ICC) at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) is an interdisciplinary research and innovation institute focusing on strategic communication, marketing, and empirical business and social research.
Our work combines applied research, knowledge transfer, and continuing education, with a strong emphasis on addressing real-world challenges in collaboration with partners from industry, public administration, and academia. We specialise in analysing and shaping communication processes in organisational and societal transformations, particularly in the context of digitalisation and technological innovation.
ICC brings together expertise from communication studies, marketing, management, and social sciences to develop evidence-based solutions and contribute to innovation processes.
Destination: Innovative Research on European Cultural Heritage and Cultural and Creative Industries
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-01: “Artistic intelligence” : harnessing the power of the arts to address complex challenges, enhance soft skills and boost innovation and competitivenessHORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-02: Boosting creative startups for disruptive innovationHORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-03: AI integration in CCSI work practice: catalysing innovation and competitivenessHORIZON-CL2-2027-01-HERITAGE-02: AI4Creatives Support Platform: embracing a fair AI revolutionHORIZON-CL2-2027-01-HERITAGE-04: Culture, heritage and creative industries for health and well-beingHORIZON-CL2-2027-01-HERITAGE-05: Re-imagining the creative economy: the interplay between the cultural and creative sectors and industries and the social economyHORIZON-CL2-2027-01-HERITAGE-06: Future-proofing sustainable cultural tourismHORIZON-CL2-2027-02-HERITAGE-09-two-stage: Open topic: Impact-driven research on realising the full potential of cultural heritage, arts and cultural and creative industries
Destination: Innovative Research on Democracy and Governance
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-04: Sustainable paths to media viabilityHORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-09: Lifelong learning of citizenship education and citizen participationHORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-10: Digital and media literacy as drivers for democratic and civic resilience HORIZON-CL2-2027-01-DEMOCRACY-01: Advisory support and network for countering and preventing radicalisation, extremism, hate speech and polarisationHORIZON-CL2-2027-01-DEMOCRACY-04: Addressing the impact of artificial intelligence, cyberviolence, and deepfakes on equality, democracy and inclusive societiesHORIZON-CL2-2027-01-DEMOCRACY-06: Identifying user-focused solutions to support news media freedomHORIZON-CL2-2027-01-DEMOCRACY-07: The role of private companies in democracy
Destination: Innovative Research on Social and Economic Transformations
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-04: The impact of the use of digital tools outside school and for communication on educational outcomes and mental healthHORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-05: Long-term contribution of basic skills to productivity, innovation, competitiveness and economic growthHORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-06: Making Europe a global magnet for talent - Attracting and retaining students, researchers and high-skilled workers from outside the EUHORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-09: Rethinking long-term care policy in the face of EU demographic shiftsHORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-10: Fostering cooperation and integration between SSH and STEM research and innovation in the EUHORIZON-CL2-2027-01-TRANSFO-03: Rethinking sustainable competitiveness beyond traditional perspectives: role and contribution of the Social EconomyHORIZON-CL2-2027-01-TRANSFO-06: Closing the learning gap: uncovering causes and effective policy interventions for declining youth skills in mathematics, reading, and scienceHORIZON-CL2-2027-02-TRANSFO-09-two-stage: Improving socio-economic outcomes for persons with dementia and informal caregivers