Design Innovation combines traditional manufacturing skills with digital and innovative methods to improve operator-oriented factories. The De4Human project aims to strengthen the skilled workforce in Europe, particularly in manufacturing and engineering design, based on three pillars: Design4Empower, Design4Safety, and Design4Inclusivity. The goal is to support European SMEs in achieving excellent, human-centric, and inclusive manufacturing, contributing to the social growth of the EU.

Mission of the DE4Human project: to train white-collar workers in the manufacturing industry in the use of design thinking to rethink production processes in a human-centric way. The goal is to create work environments that are safer (DE4Safety), more inclusive (DE4Inclusivity), and that promote worker empowerment (DE4Empower).

Promotion of Design Thinking: spreading design thinking methodologies throughout the manufacturing industry as a tool for developing human-centric skills, enhancing creativity, collaboration, and problem solving.

Creating an international learning factory: designing an innovative, human-centered training environment that uses advanced digital technologies to enhance people’s skills and improve adaptability to industrial change.

Raising awareness of the pillars of human-centric skills: spreading awareness and a culture of people-centric work to strengthen individual empowerment, social inclusion, and psychological safety in industrial production contexts.

Empowering operators: using design thinking to improve mutual understanding between managers and employees and enhance decision-making skills in innovative contexts.

Greater inclusion in the production process: active involvement of operators in the design and production phases, valuing their contribution.

Improved psychological safety: using digital technologies to create more emotionally and relationally safe work environments.

Skills development through advanced technologies: promoting the use of augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR) and collaborative robotics to enhance human skills in the manufacturing sector.

Ecosystems for innovation, entrepreneurship, and business transformation;

Skilled workforce and student involvement;

Innovation to increase competitiveness and strengthen resilience;