The Green Iceberg Framework: Foresight-Driven Knowledge Transfer for Sustainable Solutions

Green Iceberg is our practical framework for strengthening knowledge transfer so that research and innovation translate into real-world value. It is built on a simple idea: the visible outcomes (pilots, partnerships, IP, spin-offs) depend on deeper ecosystem capabilities—skills, routines, incentives, networks and governance—that must be managed deliberately.

The framework brings these elements together into three connected layers of ecosystem management: 

• Knowledge Valorisation, 
• Knowledge Co-Creation, and 
• Knowledge Sharing.

Green Iceberg reframes knowledge transfer from a one-way pipeline into an ecosystem approach where knowledge flows in both directions between research organisations and users in industry, government and society. It helps teams design a balanced portfolio of channels—so adoption improves, feedback strengthens research relevance, and results become repeatable at scale.

Turning research results into value.
Typical channels include:

• Commercialisation of IP (licensing pathways, portfolio strategy, protocols)
• Spin-off creation (venture support, mentoring, ecosystem connections)

Building solutions with users—not for them.
Typical channels include:

• Collaborative research (consortia, co-funded programmes, partnership models)
• Contract research (applied R&D, prototypes, demonstrations, service delivery)

Making knowledge move through people, networks and practice.
Typical channels include:

• Networking and events (forums, thematic groups, ecosystems and clusters)
• Professional development (mobility, training, talent pathways, communities of practice)

Together, these layers connect “what we deliver” with “what makes delivery work”—so knowledge transfer becomes an operating system, not a set of isolated initiatives.

• A clear map of your current knowledge transfer system across valorisation, co-creation and sharing
• Identification of bottlenecks and high-leverage improvements (capability, governance, incentives, partnerships)
• Channel playbooks and routines that teams can maintain independently
• KPI and indicator design that links ecosystem performance to strategic priorities
• Foresight integration (signals, scenarios and early-warning indicators) to keep choices robust under uncertainty

We start with the decisions that matter: strategic focus areas, target audiences, partnership priorities and desired outcomes. We then diagnose the ecosystem across the three layers—capabilities, channels and enabling conditions. Finally, we design and embed a practical improvement portfolio: governance routines, templates, learning mechanisms and metrics, so progress is measurable and durable.

Where appropriate, we add foresight to strengthen the framework: horizon scanning, scenario stress-testing and leading indicators that help organisations adapt early as conditions change.

• Green Iceberg ecosystem map (layers, channels, stakeholders and value flows)
• Baseline assessment and prioritised improvement portfolio
• Channel playbooks (IP, spin-offs, contract research, collaborative research, networks, talent)
• Governance routines and operating model (roles, cadence, decision points)
• KPI framework with leading and lagging indicators, reporting logic and learning loops
• Roadmap with phases, resourcing, capability building and implementation milestones

The Green Iceberg Framework was first piloted and applied in Poland through the European Commission (DG Reform) funded 1KTS4Lukasiewicz project and published as:

• Popper, R. et al. (2021). Fostering Knowledge Transfer in Poland, Europe and the World. 1KTS4Lukasiewicz project.

This foundation ensures the framework is grounded in practical ecosystem management and designed to work across institutions, industries and regions.

Want to strengthen your knowledge transfer ecosystem—and make impact more repeatable?
We support organisations to diagnose their current system, prioritise the highest-leverage improvements, and embed routines that convert knowledge into measurable outcomes.