"This proposal, “Building an Applied Research facility into COVE” (BARCOVE) aims to develop an innovative and norm-setting model for school-company collaboration around VET. It focuses on ap-plied research as a lever for technical innovation in urban space and water management. Further, it responds to current challenges placed on VET e.g. the constant demand for innovative technical solu-tions, which climate adaptation and the green transition necessitate. Finally, it links to the companies' need for skilled employees and to VET’s need to attract highly motivated students committed to sci-ence, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and entrepreneurship.After an initial mapping/analysis of existing knowledge of applied research in VET, it develops and tests a forward-looking and innovative VET setting, where VET students, professionals and educators develop innovative solutions to concrete challenges that companies face in urban space and water management. Subsequently, BARCOVE mainstreams the knowledge gained with applied research into two training modules for VET educators/employers, and into a transferable “Recipe Book”.BARCOVE involves about 50 professionals and VET trainers from 8 partners in 4 partner countries (DK, NL, ES, and RO). In addition, about 40 VET students will participate in the project's Hackathon and in the subsequent development and testing of technical solutions.The project will produce:•a mapping & analysis report on AR in VET;•a proven pedagogical-innovative development concept documented both audio-visually and in writing;•two teaching modules with a focus on the integration of applied research in the school-company collaboration;•a detailed reference framework that presents the project's results in a transferable context, and•a format for an annual ""Green Future Festival"".The produced outputs are disseminated among all European CoVEs, i.a. EPLUG and PoVE Water, both key stakeholders in future urban space and water."