- VERDEinMED
- REPper
- Advance Circular
- CEFoodCycle
- SMITour
- HEAT 35
- DiMark
- MISSION CE CLIMATE
- NUDGES
- SPONGECITY
- EnerTy
- UPSURGE
- CLIMABOROUGH
- BAUHAUS4MED
- DECA
- BURNOUT PREVENT
- REVIVE
- CROWDFUNDMATCH
- MEDDIET GO
VERDEinMED
Project information
Project title: Preventing and reducing the textile waste mountain in the MED area
Acronym: VERDEinMED
Mission 1: STRENGTHENING AND INNOVATIVE SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY
Programme Priority 2: Greener Mediterranean
RSO2.6: Promoting the transition to a circular and resource-efficient economy
Test (Thematic) Project
About the project:
While the challenges and opportunities of second-hand textiles are increasingly the focus of attention of governments, industry and civil society, the transition to a circular textile and clothing economy requires significant systemic changes.
Local, regional, national and European governments can and must play a key role in creating the right conditions and incentives to accelerate this transition.
This action will lead to a green transition and, thus, to the significant structural changes in the business model needed to put sustainability and circularity at the heart of business strategy.
The VERDE project will achieve these objectives through the following activities and deliverables:
- A conceptual framework for information exchange through the development of a Knowledge Hub;
- Technology transfer and knowledge sharing through the establishment and testing of a technical assistance service that will set up VERDE Bussola (Green Compass) together with the Knowledge Centre, including learning interactions and evaluation, to transfer project results;
- A strategy to promote, disseminate and adopt project results based on evidence-based findings that will inform local, regional and national policy recommendations.
VERDEinMED will present an analytical framework to study the successful implementation of circular business models, identify business model innovation, technological innovation, and social innovation needs, and enable policy and behaviour change conditions.
The VERDE project will showcase the full range of a triple-bottom-line support service aimed at civil society, industry and policymakers, indicating the tailored interventions needed for this (green) transition.
It will start by transforming the industry towards sustainable practices and driving demand towards conscious consumption. It will conclude by defining a policy framework to support the transition of the T/C sector towards sustainability and circularity.
The ecosystem thus created will be supported by Verde Bussola, the Green Compass, which combines the establishment of Regional Hubs, the Knowledge Platform and the Support Service into a single entity that brings together experts and knowledge from different locations to prepare the framework for the creation of Knowledge and Competence Centres as a single point in each region.
LEAD PARTNER: CERTH, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Greece
PROJECT PARTNERS:
- DIADYMA SA, Anonymi etairia diacheirisis aporrimmaton Dytikis Makedonias, Greece
- CRIB, Ribera consortium, Spain
- CTA, Technological Corporation of Andalusia, Spain
- CITEVE, Technological Centre for the Textile and Clothing Industry of Portugal, Portugal
- E-ZAVOD, E-institute, Slovenia
- CONF, Confindustria Umbria, Italy
- Legambiente, League for the environment, Italy
- TTA-TK, Textile Trade Association - Textile cluster, Macedonia
- BFA, Bulgarian Fashion Association
Project value: € 2.970.502,00
Project duration: 33 months
"Project co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund."
Project website: Accueil - Interreg Euro-MED - VERDEinMED.
Contact
Contact person:
Petra Gregorc
Phone: +386 2 749 32 24
E-mail:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdeinmed/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verdeinmed/
LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/verdeinmed/
REPper
Project information
Project title: REPair PERspective
Project acronym: REPper
Programme priority: Greener MED
Project Goal
To develop the culture of repair by offering concrete responses to multi-layer challenges:
- the creation of new sustainable business opportunities,
- the upskilling in green job sectors and
- the change of mindset by promoting the circular approach.
Project specific objectives
With this test project we would like to support SMEs in the repair economy, increase repair skills (specific trainings), change policy makers and consumers attitude and pursue the transition to more sustainable choices by overcoming the existing repair barriers. Activities will inspire joint solutions such as business model canvas, blueprint, nudge strategies and action plans (Roadmap, recommendations, and policy papers).
Key project activities
Three action areas strongly focused on cross-border cooperation:
- Setting-up a REPper HUBS NETWORK - a unique contact point, physical and/or digital - with the aim of designing and testing a transnational network of pilot services.
- Creating a REPper FACTORY for upskilling and reskilling, providing training at the highest EU level, to reduce imbalances between Mediterranean regions.
- Building a new repair culture through "gentle nudges" that can trigger positive changes and new habits.
Project duration: 33 months (1st January 2024-30th September 2026)
Project partners:
- Metropolitan City of Bologna
- E-Institute
- ALTROCONSUMO EDIZIONI SRL
- DECO PROTESTE LDA
- OCU EDICIONES SA
- ANATOLIKI S.A.
- Regional Association of Solid Waste Management Agencies of Central Macedonia
- Agency for Sustainable Mediterranean Cities and Territories
- AULEDA – local Economic Development Agency
- University of Sarajevo
Total project budget: 2.517.740,00 €
The project is supported by the EU INTERREG Euro-MED programme. The total amount of co-financing is 2.014.192,00 € (80 %). Amount of ERDF funds allocated to E-zavod is 285.900,00 €.
Project website: Accueil - Interreg Euro-MED - REPper (interreg-euro-med.eu)
Advance Circular
Project information
PROJECT TITLE: ADVANCE CIRCULAR – Linking Tourism Industry with VET to embrace circularity
ACRONYM: ADVANCE CIRCULAR
”ADVANCE CIRCULAR – Linking Tourism Industry with VET to embrace circularity” is a transnational project coordinated by the NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN TOURISM (Romania).
AIM: to foster innovative circular approaches&tools in the tourism sector&its other related areas through transnational cooperation and knowledge transfer by linking vocational education and training to this sector.
Objectives:
O1.To increase understanding of the way the Circular Economy influences the Tourism industry&VET in terms of readiness and skills through 2 analysis bringing together VET institutions&companies in the field in 4 countries in at least 8 months of project.
O2. To enhance organizations&practitioners capabilities through 3 innovative&digital tools supporting Tourism Industry&VET to act in CE, in 4 countries/EU level throughout project.
O3. To develop at least 5 applicative learning contexts (transnational&national) for Tourism&VET experts based on Design Thinking, in 4 countries/European level.
O4. To raise awareness&capacity to exploite project results in 5 partner organizations/their external context in 4 countries/EU level on 24 months.
TANGIBLE RESULTS:
A) 2 analysis Mapping the Scene&Creating Bridges:
- ”Are we ready for Circularity?”;
- ”Skills for the green and circular transition”
B) 3 innovative tools supporting Tourism Industry&VET to act in Circular Economy:
- Guidelines: ”The CE: Moving from theory to practice”
- skills taxonomy
- digital set of cards based on what are the 5 R's of CE (Rethink, Redesign, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)
C) applicative learning contexts for Tourism&VET experts based on Design Thinking:
- Training Pack with 5 modules+a special section ”Digital Self-learning tools”.
- 1 Transnational Training Program: ”Tourism&VET in tourism advancing circular-exploring the possibilities”+4 national National training sessions for a balanced mix between VET institutions experts&company representatives&other organizations from tourism industry/related fields. They get an overview and potentially new understanding of CE& explore new circular models and how to turn challenges into possibilities using Design Thinking.
Consortium consists of:
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN TOURISM (Romania) as lead partner.
- CESUR (Centro Superior de Formación Europa Sur), Spain.
- Association of Consultants and Experts on Social Economy Romania (ACE-ES Romania).
- Bulgarian Association for Alternative Tourism (BAAT), Bulgaria.
- E-ZAVOD, ZAVOD ZA PROJEKTNO SVETOVANJE, RAZISKOVANJE IN RAZVOJ CELOVITIH RESITEV, Slovenia.
Project period - 24 months (01.10.2023-30.09.2025).
Deliverables
Invitation to participate in the circular economy survey in tourism
As part of the project »ADVANCE CIRCULAR - Connecting the Tourism Industry with Vocational Education and Training for Promoting Circularity«, co-financed by the Erasmus+ program, we kindly invite you to participate in two key surveys. Your participation will play a crucial role in shaping future strategies and practices that will support the transition of the tourism sector and vocational education and training towards a circular economy.
1. First Survey: Readiness of the tourism sector for a circular economy
Please complete the questionnaire at the following link: First Survey
2. Second Survey: Skills for the green and circular transition in the tourism industry
Please complete the questionnaire at the following link: Second Survey
Completing both questionnaires will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
We thank you for your time and participation. Your contribution is vital for the successful implementation of this project and for promoting sustainable development in the tourism industry and vocational education and training.
For additional information or questions, please contact Ksenija Napast at email: ksenija(at)ezavod.si
Attachment:
National Report on »Are We Ready for Circularity in Slovenia?«
The national report, "Are We Ready for Circularity?", prepared by eZavod, provides a comprehensive analysis of Slovenia's progress and readiness towards adopting Circular Economy (CE) principles, with a focus on the tourism sector and vocational education and training (VET). Here are the key findings and recommendations from the report:
Key Findings:
- National Strategies Supporting Circular Economy:
- Slovenia Development Strategy 2030: Aims for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and promotes renewable energy sources.
- City of Maribor's CE Strategy: Focuses on waste reduction, recycling, and sustainable mobility.
- Slovenian Tourism Strategy 2022-2028: Emphasizes sustainable tourism practices.
- Recovery and Resilience Plan (NOO—RRP): Allocates €1.7 billion for the green transition, circular economy, and green skills training.
- Incorporation of CE Practices in Tourism:
- Many tourism organizations prioritize local sourcing and have implemented solid waste management practices.
- Common barriers include financial constraints, technical challenges, and lack of human resources and training.
- Awareness and Readiness:
- High awareness of sustainability and CE among tourism organizations, with a strong interest in adopting CE practices.
- VET institutions are preparing students with necessary skills but face challenges such as insufficient resources and industry collaboration.
- Educational and Training Focus:
- VET institutions are focusing on digital marketing, climate change adaptation, and CE principles.
- Main obstacles include financial limitations, outdated curricula, and lack of trained educators.
Recommendations:
- Enhancing Awareness and Knowledge:
- Increase information dissemination and training on CE principles for both tourism professionals and VET educators.
- Financial Support and Resources:
- Provide more financial resources to support CE initiatives and training programs in both sectors.
- Industry Collaboration:
- Foster stronger partnerships between VET institutions and businesses to promote practical applications of CE principles.
- Educational Reforms:
- Integrate CE principles into educational curricula and provide specialized training for educators.
- Support for VET Institutions:
- Offer policy and regulatory advocacy, online platforms for collaboration, specialized training programs, and financial assistance for curriculum development.
- Support for Tourism Organizations:
- Facilitate networking, exchange of best practices, participation in training programs, and provide financial support for implementing CE practices.
SWOT Analysis:
- Strengths: High awareness of CE importance, effective digital marketing education, and preparedness to implement CE principles in future workplaces.
- Weaknesses: Lack of knowledge and financial resources, insufficient trained staff, and limited access to sustainable products.
- Opportunities: National and European funds, willingness to learn and exchange best practices, and participation in CE projects.
- Threats: Customer acceptance of CE practices, additional implementation costs, and complexity of administrative procedures.
By addressing these areas, Slovenia can significantly advance its commitment to a circular and sustainable future, benefiting both the environment and the economy.
For more detailed insights, the full report is available at:
Annex V_National report of Analysis 1_A2.2._SIovenia_final 2024 (1.4 Mb)
National Report on »Skills for the Green and Circular Transition in Slovenia«:
The national report, developed by eZavod Ptuj, provides an in-depth analysis of Slovenia's readiness for a green and circular transition, focusing on strategies, plans, and the importance of green skills in both the tourism sector and vocational education and training (VET). Here are the key insights and recommendations from the report:
Key Findings:
- Strategic Commitments:
- Slovenia's Development Strategy 2030: Emphasizes sustainable development with goals for green skills improvement and transitioning to a circular economy.
- Slovenian Sustainable Tourism Strategy 2022-2028: Focuses on sustainable tourism practices, including green skills training for tourism workers.
- Recovery and Resilience Plan (NOO - RRP): Allocates €1.7 billion to promote the green transition, circular economy, and green skills training.
- Importance of Green Skills:
- Both VET institutions and tourism organizations recognize the necessity of green and circular transitions in their operations and the broader industry.
- Key green skills identified include energy and water efficiency, waste management, promoting sustainable transport, and using local products and resources.
- Challenges and Barriers:
- For VET Institutions: Financial constraints, inadequate material base, outdated pedagogical methods, and lack of familiarity with circular economy concepts.
- For Tourism Organizations: Financial and technical challenges, lack of trained staff, and limited access to sustainable products.
- Support Needed:
- VET Institutions: Require exchange of good practices, networking with other organizations, specialized training programs, and adequate infrastructure.
- Tourism Sector: Needs training programs, exchange of good practices, financial support, and networking opportunities.
Recommendations:
- Enhance Awareness and Education:
- Increase information dissemination and training on circular economy principles for both tourism professionals and VET educators.
- Financial and Technical Support:
- Provide more financial resources to support circular economy initiatives and training programs in both sectors.
- Develop infrastructure and tools necessary for effective green skills education and training.
- Promote Industry Collaboration:
- Foster stronger partnerships between VET institutions and businesses to promote practical applications of circular economy principles.
- Policy and Regulatory Advocacy:
- Advocate for policies that support the integration of circular economy concepts into educational curricula and business practices.
- Specialized Training Programs:
- Develop and provide specialized training programs for educators and staff on sustainable practices and circular economy.
General Conclusions:
- The importance of green skills is embedded in almost every strategy in Slovenia, indicating a strong commitment to the circular transition.
- Both VET institutions and tourism organizations show high awareness and recognition of the necessity for green and circular transitions in their operations.
- Effective transition requires adequate resources, updated methods, industry collaboration, and ongoing support for developing and implementing green skills.
By addressing these areas, Slovenia can significantly advance its commitment to a sustainable and circular future, benefiting both the environment and the economy.
For more detailed insights, the full report is available at:
CEFoodCycle
Project information
PROJECT TITLE: Circular Economy: Mapping Food Streams and Identifying Potentials to Close Food Cycle
ACRONYM: CEFoodCycle
ABOUT THE PROJECT
By applying the concept of circular economy to the food stream, CEFoodCycle will create a sustainable methodology to avoid food waste, increase reuse of resources and close food cycles in the Alps. Resource saving potentials will be identified in product categories such as fruits and vegetables, meat or dairy products. A digital service system using artificial intelligence will connect stakeholders across the food system. The project will enable different stakeholders to take into account resource and CO2 savings and strengthen sustainable and circular economic competitiveness in the Alps.
Project outputs include:
- Alpine-wide consolidation of LCA methodology for defined food product categories,
- Intelligent, digital LCA service system (IDLCASS) that helps users to evaluate decisions regarding resource / CO2 savings,
- Implementation of smart, closed circular food cycle networks,
- Regionally established Circular Food Hubs that acquire, educate and supervise stakeholders to make the impact of the AI system-supported decisions more sustainable, transparent and measurable.
LEAD PARTNER: University of Applied Science Salzburg; AT
PROJECT PARTNERS:
- Austrian Institute of Ecology, AT
- E-zavod, Institute for comprehensive development solutions, SI
- Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, FR
- BSC, Business support organisation, ltd., Kranj, SI
- Agency for Sustainable Mediterranean Cities and Territories, FR
- LAMORO Development Agency, IT
- IDM Südtirol Alto Adige; IT
- University of Applied Sciences Munich, DE
- Cluster of Environmental Technologies Bavaria, DE
- Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, AT
PROJECT BUDGET: 2,39 million EUR, EBRD co-financing: 75%
Project duration: 11.2022 – 10.2025
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This project is co-funded by the European Union |
SMITour
Project information
PROJECT TITLE: SMart Industrial Tourism in the Mediterranean
ACRONYM: SMITour
Project mission, Mission 1: ENHANCING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Priority 2: A Smarter Mediterranean
RSO1.1: Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies
Study (Thematic) Project
ABOUT THE PROJECT:
Many regions and cities of the Mediterranean, own important industrial sites, which Industrial tourism activities, could be used, to enhance these areas, namely manufacturing industrial areas, can attract new tourists, by integrating cultural and historical elements, and advanced technologies, can enhance the experience and attract visitors.
SMITour is a study project that aims to:
- harness transnational cooperation, to explore the social and economic potential of the smart tourism industry.
- explore SMIT (Smart Industrial Tourism) as a sustainable economic activity, that can benefit tourism operators, SMEs, industry, cultural and creative industries, R&D centres, higher education institutions and technology providers, as well as local communities
- set up transnational working groups involving local stakeholders, to explore industrial tourism, and related applications of advanced technologies
- define common Strategies and Action Plans for the development of smart industrial tourism, in the Mediterranean regions,
- diversifying (modifying and complementing) the economy and the tourism sector, with a view, to reducing overtourism and seasonality, stimulating social and economic growth, supporting technological innovation (Smart Industrial Tourism)
Results:
- Smart Industrial Tourism Development Strategy and Action Plan for the Mediterranean Regions
LEAD PARTNER: Prato, Comune di Prato, Italy
PROJECT PARTNERS:
- Iscte, University Institute of Lisbon, Portugal
- XATIC, Industrial Tourism Network of Catalonia, Spain
- MDT, Prato Textile Museum Foundation, Italy
- HCIA, Hellenic Clothing Industry Association, Greece
- eZAVOD, E-institute, Slovenia
- EFRI, Faculty of Economics and Business Rijeka, Croatia
Project budget: 600.000,00 €
Project duration: 27 months
Project website: https://smitour.interreg-euro-med.eu/
"Project co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund."
HEAT 35
Project information
PROJECT TITLE: HEAT 35 - Transforming district heating systems of Central Europe into sustainable and efficient heating and cooling systems by 2035
ACRONYM: HEAT 35
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Many district heating networks in Central Europe are still largely dependent on fossil fuels. New approaches use various sources to produce heat, but they are still complex systems to implement. The HEAT 35 project supports eight regions and cities in the energy transition process to operate their district heating systems with 50% renewables and waste heat by 2035.
The partners are operators and experts in the district heating sector, suitable subjects to design new solutions. The partnership will also prepare guidelines and tools to implement these solutions, supported by a quality management system that helps to ensure compliance with emission standards.
LEAD PARTNER: Energy institute Hrvoje Požar (Croatia)
PROJECT PARTNERS:
- Tehnostan doo (Croatia)
- AEE – Institute for Sustainable Technologies (Austria)
- Heating Chodov (Czech Republic)
- Thuringian Energy and GreenTech Agency (Germany)
- Cracow District Heating Company (Poland)
- E-institute (Slovenia)
- Municipality of Velenje (Slovenia)
- APE FVG (Italy)
- Municipality of Maniago (Italy)
PROJECT BUDGET: Total 2.05 mio; ERDF Interreg Funds 1.64 mio
PROJECT DURATION: 1.5.2024 – 31.10.2026
Website: https://www.interreg-central.eu/projects/heat-35/
DiMark
Project information
PROJECT TITLE: DiMark Transnational Network for Linking Digital Earth Observation to Freshwater Markers for Better Understanding of Water-connected Climate Change Adaptation and Risk Prevention in Alpine Region
ACRONYM: DiMark
Project duration: 36 months (01.09.2024 – 31.08.2027)
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Alpine lakes are facing anthropogenic challenges led by touristic pressures and eutrophication, worsening over time with climate change. Frequent cyanobacterial and algal blooms caused by eutrophication make waters unsuitable for drinking, recreation, and industry. Blooms are accompanied by decreased biodiversity and oxygen depletion, posing a risk to water ecosystem; cyanotoxins in blooms pose also a health risk. The challenges mentioned above can be addressed using novel satellite-based solutions and improved cooperation between academia and decisionmakers.
The project objective is to improve freshwater management, using novel ecosystem-based approaches for climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention. The project will develop two innovative ready-to-use solutions:
- an online visualisation tool with maps of the Alpine area for inspecting and comparing the water state, based on important freshwater markers, and
- a model for cyano-risk prevention, enabling sustainable lake management while minimising health risk.
Solutions will be developed using a multi-stakeholder co-development process, including academia, policy, SME, NGO and citizen stakeholders. The DiMark Transnational Network and Alpine lakes management strategy will enhance the sustainability of project results. The innovative aspect of the DiMark project is linking freshwater markers to satellite data. Establishing these links in a transnational approach is essential because some countries have experts for satellite data analyses, while others have experts for freshwater markers. In addition, water state depends on watersheds stretched across more countries (including border Alpine lakes). The project's main beneficiaries will be national/regional lake managers, decision makers and citizens who will experience better water quality and safety.
Main results/changes are:
- improved water quality,
- better response in case of water disaster management and
- improved lake biodiversity.
PROJECT PARTNERS:
- National Institute of Biology, Slovenia
- Slovenian Environment Agency, Slovenia
- University of Innsbruck, Austria
- Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Austria
- Edmund Mach Foundation, Italy
- Regional Agency for Environmental Protection and Prevention of Veneto, Italy
- National Research Council, Italy
- University of Konstanz, Germany
- French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment,
France - E-institute, institute for comprehensive development solutions, Slovenia
- Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Swiss
The project is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg Alpine Space programme.
Project website: DiMark - Alpine Space Programme
MISSION CE CLIMATE
Project information
PROJECT TITLE: Climate Resilient Communities of Central Europe
ACRONYM: MISSION CE CLIMATE
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Like the rest of the world, Central Europe is facing many challenges related to climate change.
The main challenge of the MISSION CE CLIMATE project is to overcome the disjointed sectoral responses to climate change, by introducing a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach that puts local/regional authorities at the centre of the governance and management of climate resilience process.
The overall objective is to support communities in Central Europe to become resilient to climate change and to enable them to respond in a coordinated way to the processes caused by climate change. The project will build sustainable systems (community climate missions) and capacities in communities (integrated strategy, local action plans, solutions).
The project approach is innovative as it puts into practice a concept conceived by the European Commission in the context of “A Climate Resilient Europe” Mission, by putting into practice a coordinated cross-sectoral approach.
The project's intended outcomes are:
- Establishment of climate resilience systems in partner communities (Community Climate Missions) supported by a common 2030 Climate Resilience Strategy (definition of actions, business models, financing mechanisms) and locally tailored action plans (project portfolio approach);
- Enhancing community capacity to adapt to climate change with new skills and tools;
- Activated citizens contributing to community climate resilience through increased awareness and capacity (tools, etc.);
- Solutions developed through pilot projects that respond to community adaptation challenges.
LEAD PARTNER: E-zavod, SI
PROJECT PARTNERS:
- University of Applied Sciences Vorarlberg, AT
- City of Dornbirn, AT
- Technical University of Kosice, SK
- City of Košice, SK
- Energy Management Agency of Friuli Venezia Giulia, IT
- City of Lignano Sabbiadoro, IT
- Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar; HR
- Split-Dalmatia County, HR
- Regional development agency for Podravje – Maribor; SI
- Municipality of Maribor, SI
- Krumedia, DE
PROJECT BUDGET: 2,12 million EUR, EBRD co-financing: 80%
Project duration: 04.2023 – 03.2026
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This project is co-funded by the European Union |
NUDGES
Project information
PROJECT TITLE: Novel Support tools to Mediterranean Governments Exploiting Behavioural Incentives
Project acronym: NUDGES
Programme priority: Greener MED
Project Goal
Project aims to show how the unique characteristics of Mediterranean countries can enhance urban climate change strategies by unveiling six proofs of concepts based on experimental pilots in different countries, focusing on the behavioral influence of collective sensorial experiences.
Project specific objectives
- Demonstrating the feasibility of leveraging the territorial diversities and cultural commonalities of Mediterranean countries for the successful integration of “nudging” strategies into the urban climate change mitigation and adaptation policies of local, regional and national public authorities.
- Filling in three main gaps in the current scenario:
1) between climate responsible attitudes and behaviours within the MED population,
2) the lack of knowledge at policy level, on the potential of climate nudges as alternative tools
to regulatory changes and financial incentives to reach ecosystemic change and community resilience, and
3) the lack of evidence on the intertwining of cultural and behavioural aspects as relevant for the effectiveness, and efficiency, of nudging strategies.
- Creating a new and innovative community of interest and Transferability Plan paving the way to additional research action in this domain.
Key project activities
- Identify by a suitable methodology of adoptable and replicable approaches to valorising "nudges" as policy tool.
- Deliver six proofs of concept, grounded on the results of 6 experimental pilots, each located in a different country of the programme area. 5 of the 6 experimental pilots will be focused on the potential behavioural influence of collective sensorial experiences using Sight, Hearing, Smell, Taste and Touch; the sixth one will be transversal and focused on new generations.
- Take stock, evaluate and draw lessons from the results of the six proofs of concept.
Project duration: 27 months (1st January 2024-31st March 2026)
Project partners:
- Larnaca and Famagusta Districts Development Agency (vodilni partner)
- MUSOL Foundation
- E-Institute
- University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti and Pescara
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
- Knowledge Network Ltd.
- Development Agency of City of Prijedor "PREDA"
- Museum of Humor and Satire
Total project budget: 599.940,00 €
The project is supported by the EU INTERREG Euro-MED programme. The total amount of co-financing is 479.952,00 € (80 %). Amount of ERDF funds allocated to E-zavod is 91.200,00 €.
Project website: Home - Interreg Euro-MED - NUDGES (interreg-euro-med.eu)
SPONGECITY
Project information
PROJECT TITLE: Improving urban climate change adaptation capacities by testing and promoting the ‘sponge city’ methodology on transnational level
ACRONYM: SpongeCity
Project duration: 30 months (01.01.2024 – 30.06.2026)
Danube Region is affected by natural disasters resulting from climate change, increasing the intensity and frequency of heat waves, droughts, fire incidents, and heavy rainfalls with flash floods on local level. Since 75% of the region’s population lives in cities, these anomalies put the citizens at particular risk. Local community leaders must be prepared for these weather anomalies. Urban water management have so far mainly followed traditional approaches, including large-scale gray infrastructure investments, lacking innovation and the exploitation of ecosystem services. Their social acceptance is usually hindered as citizens are not involved in design and testing. Settlements have different micro-climatic, infrastructural, financial, legal and social backgrounds in Danube Region, but they all need support in forecasting local climate risks and identifying effective interventions. Transnational cooperation is needed for this knowledge exchange and for mainstreaming the conclusions to macroregional level. The cross-sectoral partnership aims to spread the Sponge City concept in Danube Region to answer these challenges.
A sponge city is an urban area which has been designed to cope with excess rainfall using a variety of techniques. It mitigates/prevents urban floods by providing the area with the ability to naturally absorb the water. It reduces the extent of impermeable surfaces and increases the amount of absorbent land: green surfaces, green walls, bioswales, innercity lakes, rain gardens, permeable pavements. Supplementing this approach with channelling and storage systems also helps to counter water shortages.
The project analyses the hydroclimatic characteristics and water management practices of 12 pilot settlements, sets up a toolbox to support the planning of sponge city measures, tests and promotes the tools by participative elaboration of local action plans, feasibility studies and demonstration investments. Partners mainstream the results to national and EU level.
PROJECT PARTNERS:
- University of Pécs (lead partner), Hungary
- Koprivnica water supply LLC, Croatia
- Paris-Lodron University Salzburg, Austria
- BSC, Business support centre L.t.d., Kranj, Slovenia
- Municipality of Prague 9, Czech Republic
- University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava, Slovakia
- University of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- City Hall of Chisinau Municipality, Moldova
- RARIS - Regional Development Agency of Eastern Serbia, Serbia
- ASPECT - Management and Intercultural Relations, Bulgaria
- Capital City Podgorica, Monte Negro
- Satu Mare County Intercommunity Development Association, Romania
- E-institute, Slovenia
The project is co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg Danube Region Programme.
EnerTy
Project information
PROJECT TITLE: Cross-border efforts to prevent and eliminate energy Poverty
ACRONYM: EnerTy
Project duration: 24 months (01.12.2023 – 30.11.2025)
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The common challenge addressed by the project through cross-border cooperation is to improve the knowledge and awareness of decision-makers and to increase cooperation between decision-makers and end users in the field of prevention and elimination of household energy poverty.
Around 13% of households in the programme area face energy poverty, consequently linking energy poverty to the risk of social exclusion. The programme area has also recently experienced a rise in energy prices, which further contributes to the problem of citizen’s energy poverty. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a realistic baseline and solutions for energy poverty: to obtain data on the ground and identify the level of households already experiencing energy poverty and those who will soon experience it. Energy poverty is a multidimensional problem and important challenge, which needs to be addressed by the key actors and decision-makers who can take concrete action. On the other hand, it is necessary to provide them with a starting point for action and to indicate possible solutions.
The project will contribute to reducing energy poverty through activities aimed at improving energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources in households.
PROJECT PARTNERS:
- Local energy agency Pomurje (lead partner), Slovenia
- E-institute, Institute for Comprehensive Development Solutions, Slovenia
- IMRO-DDKK Nonprofit Kft., Hungary
- West Pannon Regional and Economic Development Public Nonprofit Ltd, Hungary
Project budget: 492.336,00 EUR
ERDF: 333.288, 00 EUR
ERDF for E-zavod: 100.800,00 EUR
The project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Cooperation Programme Interreg VI-A Slovenia-Hungary.
Website: http://www.si-hu.eu/2127/
UPSURGE
Project information
PROJECT TITLE: City-centered approach to catalyze nature-based solutions through the EU Regenerative Urban Lighthouse for pollution alleviation and regenerative development
ACRONYM: UPSURGE
ABOUT THE PROJECT
UPSURGE project bridges the gap between the existing knowledge base on Nature Based Solutions and their step-by-step practical implementation for regenerative development of cities focusing on air pollution alleviation and climate neutrality. Our main aim is to reroute cities and fast forward their regenerative transition benefiting from the potential of Nature Based Solutions (NBS).
UPSURGE is the response to the challenges faced by cities in their efforts to decrease the impacts of urban existence on climate change, mitigate air pollution and its health effects and reduce climate change stressors.
To help European cities enter the regenerative transition pathway, UPSURGE will provide an EU Urban Regenerative Lighthouse to serve as a reference framework and a reference network to accelerate, transfer and upscale the use of NBS and mainstream them into the agenda of urban policies through co-creation and co-design processes with citizens and other stakeholders.
UPSURGE will provide fit for problem NBS together with supportive digital, and governance solutions for urban space regeneration deployed and tested in 5 real life demo cities in Europe.
Web site: https://www.upsurge-project.eu/
LEAD PARTNER: E-zavod, SI
PROJECT PARTNERS:
- UNIVERSITAT PASSAU
- Institut za KOMUNIKACISKI STUDII Skopje
- ACONDICIONAMIENTO TARRASENSE ASSOCIACION
- UNIVERSITEIT ANTWERPEN
- Municipality of Patras
- Por Consult d.o.o. za poslovno savjetovanje
- COMUNE DI PRATO
- FUNDACION AITIIP
- OPENCONTENT SOCIETA COOPERATIVA
- Belfast City Council
- Bright Urban Solution Team Nonprofit Limited Liability Company
- ICLEI EUROPEAN SECRETARIAT GMBH
- Regional Development Agency Podravje, Maribor
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna
- BUDAPEST FOVAROS XVIII. KERULET PESTSZENTLORINC-PESTSZENTIMRE ONKORMANYZATA
- GEMEENTE BREDA
- Beeodiversity
- THE QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY OF BELFAST
- FONDAZIONE OPERATE
- UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS
- INSTYTUT EKOLOGII TERENOW UPRZEMYSLOWIONYCH
- KATOWICE - MIASTO NA PRAWACH POWIATU
CLIMABOROUGH
Project information
PROJECT TITLE: Building Green and Climate Neutral City-Hubs
ACRONYM: CLIMABOROUGH
Description:
CLIMABOROUGH is a project, co-funded by the European Union and CINEA, with the ambition to bridge the gap between design and implementation of urban innovations, particularly in the face of climatic change and its consequential needs for adaptation and mitigation.
CLIMABOROUGH is one of the 3 projects chosen by CINEA to work on Urban Planning and Design in the framework of the ‘100 Climate Neutral and Smart Cities‘ Mission.
The project, coordinated by ANCI Toscana and counting on 27 other partners, works to fight the many bottlenecks in the transition from prototyping to testing of innovation and from successful testing to market deployment.
In CLIMABOROUGH, we define and promise to test three innovative concepts:
- The “Climate Sandbox”, facilitating under a legal and/or administrative point of view, the diffusion of technologically and socially innovative solutions, whenever they can document a strong capacity of carbon dioxide recapturing or climate change adaptation, much in the same way as in the past, urban transformation initiatives were facilitated by the regulator, whenever they promised to bring high socio-economic benefits;
- The “ClimHub”, which is more than a Lighthouse pilot, in the sense that it promotes and actively works for a faster and more widespread diffusion of sustainable innovations against the climatic threats, leveraging on the evidence-based learning generated by co-creation dynamics seeing startup companies and solution providers involved on a peer basis with local public sector authorities in innovative replication methods;
- The “Climate Service”, consisting in the transformation of climate-related data – together with other relevant information – into customised products such as projections, forecasts, information, trends, economic analyses, assessments,counselling on best practices, development and evaluation of solutions and any other service in relation to climate that may be of use for the society at large.
These three concepts will be tested within a significant number of European cities, characterised by a wide variety in size, interests and geographical location as described in the methodology, namely 8 leaders and 4 follower cities (+2 associates acting as observers).
Consortium consists of:
- ANCI TOSCANA Coordinator ANCI Italy
- HELMHOLTZ ZENTRUM HEREON Lead of climate evaluation HEREON Germany
- MAJOR CITIES OF EUROPE Lead of Dissemination MCE Germany
- INSTITUT MINES-TELECOM Lead of Digital Twins IMT France
- NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY NEB & Dissemination NTNU Norway
- UNIVERSITY OF AALBORG Lead of Citizens’ engagement AAU Denmark
- POLITECNICO DI MILANO Lead of Urban planning POLIMI Italy
- SYNDICAT INTERCOMMUNAL DE GESTION INFORMATIQUE Lead of platform management SIGI Luxembourg
- DATEN-KOMPETENZZENTRUM STÄDTE UND REGIONEN Lead of Data DKSR Germany
- LINKS FOUNDATION Lead of exploitation LINKS Italy
- URBANDNA Lead of Hubs and co-creation UDNA UK
- URBAN LAB City Angel ULAB Italy
- ENERGY CITIES City Angel ENEC France
- EZAVOD Lead of lending/fundraising EZAVOD Slovenia
- CITY of SOFIA City leader SOFIA Bulgaria
- CITY of TURIN City leader TORO Italy
- CITY of IOANNINA City leader IOA Greece
- CITY of MARIBOR City leader MARI Slovenia
- ZUM d.o.o. urbanizem, planiranje, projektiranje Affiliated to City of Maribor ZUM Slovenia
- CITY of ATHENS (DAEM) City leader ATH Greece
- CITY of CASCAIS City leader CAS Portugal
- CITY of DIFFERDANGE City leader DIFF Luxembourg
- GRENOBLE ALPES-METROPOLE City leader GAM France
- CITY of KRK City Follower KRK Croatia
- CITY of KATOWICE City Follower KATO Poland
- CITY of PILSEN (SITMP) City Follower PILS Czech Rep.
- CITY of PRIJEDOR City Follower PRI BiH
- Development Agency „PREDA“ Prijedor Affiliated to City of Prijedor PREDA, BiH
Timeline: 48 months (01.1.2023-31.12.2026).
Web site: https://climaborough.eu/
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
BAUHAUS4MED
Project information
Project Title: Testing New European Bauhaus Solutions for Deep Green Transformation of Cities and Regions in the Euro-MED Area
Project Acronym: Bauhaus4MED
Programme Priority: Greener MED
About the project
Project Summary
Bauhaus4MED aims to reshape the perception of ecology and green transformation from a necessity to a desired goal through the New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative, which emphasizes aesthetics and citizen participation in urban green transformation. The project will develop a novel "CROWDVOCACY" tool, integrating crowdfunding, crowdsourcing, participative democracy principles with aesthetic green architecture design to create citizen-tailored solutions for better living. Pilot projects in five regions/cities will focus on circular building materials, regenerated green urban spaces, green products, and lifestyle, supported by a transferable toolbox, green transformation action plans, and high-level policy conferences to mainstream NEB principles and ensure long-term sustainability. This project represents a groundbreaking approach to urban and regional development, promoting sustainability, inclusion, and aesthetic enhancement as core values for the future of our cities and regions.
Project Goal
To implement innovative NEB solutions for the sustainable and aesthetic enhancement of green living areas, integrating citizen participation in decision-making processes.
Project Specific Objectives
- To foster a balanced urban development by engaging citizens in the transformation of their living spaces through aesthetic and sustainable solutions.
- To promote the principles of the New European Bauhaus initiative as a model for future urban and rural development projects.
- To enhance the capacity of cities and regions for green transformation through participative methods and innovative tools.
Key Project Activities
- Developing and testing the "CROWDVOCACY" tool for participatory green transformation.
- Implementing pilot projects in five regions/cities to showcase sustainable and aesthetic urban renewal.
- Developing green transformation action plans for partner cities and regions.
- Organizing regional and EU-level events to disseminate project outcomes and mainstream NEB principles.
Project Duration: 33 months (1.1.2024 – 30.9.2025)
List of Project Partners
- E-institute (Lead Partner) – Slovenia
- Region of Central Macedonia – Greece
- Sviluppo Europa Marche S.r.l. – Italy
- Platoniq Foundation – Spain
- CROWDPOLICY DIGITAL PARTICIPATORY SERVICES PCC – Greece
- Regional Government of Tuscany – Italy
- Faculty of Architecture University of Zagreb – Croatia
- City of Sarajevo - Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Burgas Municipality – Bulgaria
- IFLA EUROPE – the European Region of the International Federation of Landscape Architects - Belgium
Project Funding
- Total Project Budget: €2,350,140
- Total EU Contribution: €1,880,112
DECA
Project information
PROJECT TITLE: Danube Energy Communities Accelerator
Acronym: DECA
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Danube Energy Communities Accelerator (DECA) project is aimed at supporting the Danube Region's transition to higher renewable energy use, energy independence, climate neutrality, and prosperity.
DECA's mission is to accelerate citizen-led renewable energy initiatives, address common needs in the region, and support the Interreg Danube programme's priority. By testing solutions that can enable decentralised renewable energy production and empower renewable energy self-consumers and communities, DECA aims to unlock the potential of underutilised renewable energy resources in the region.
Why is this important? The underdevelopment and inadequate support of community energy action in the Danube Region are challenges that need overcoming. Accelerating renewable energy is crucial for reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels and enhancing the resilience of Danube Region communities. DECA recognises the untapped opportunities for increased energy security, local prosperity, and a move towards renewable energy and climate neutrality within the region.
Citizen-owned energy systems take centre stage in DECA's approach as they emerge as key drivers for a just energy transition. Community energy action not only promotes decentralised renewable energy production but also ensures equitable local sharing of value generated from renewable energy sources. The ripple effects include cost-savings, job opportunities, enhanced energy security, community reinvestment, skills development, improved social connections, resilience, and better living conditions.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The DECA project aims to address these common challenges through jointly developed solutions, pilots, and a joint strategy to accelerate community energy across the region. Through the pooling of knowledge, experiences, skills, networks and expertise, this transnational collaboration and co-creation process will enable our 12 diverse and experienced project partners to jointly develop, promote and adopt the following common solutions to shared challenges:
- Community Energy Capacity Development Solution (Output 1.1): Training covering the fundamentals of community energy initiatives and social enterprise skills will be jointly developed, tested (Output 1.2), and refined for adoption and ongoing use.
- Community Energy Project Pipelines Toolkit (Output 2.1) - a practical resource that includes a core methodology for robust community energy action development and a set of replicable, innovative community energy action concepts that can be adopted and tailored to local applications.
These solutions will have been tested through application in local pilot projects (Output 2.2) and then refined for adoption and ongoing use.
These outputs will benefit the whole community energy ecosystem in the region, which comprises of citizens and community groups, support organisations (sectoral agencies, NGOs, utilities, education institutions), policymakers and strategic bodies (local, regional, national authorities and territorial institutions) and private sector (business support organisations and SME’s that are technology, service and product providers for renewable energy systems).
Potential solutions will be tested through piloting in 9 countries of the Danube programme area: Slovenia, Croatia, Slovakia, Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Hungary, Romania and Serbia.
Ultimately, we will use learnings from this work to develop a Danube Community Energy Acceleration Strategy (Output 3.1) - for a network of community energy acceleration hubs that will sustain and expand support for community renewable energy action across the Danube Region, into the future.
Together, the developed solutions and strategy will provide a powerful common platform to accelerate innovation and action on community energy across the region and make a meaningful impact on the region’s clean energy transition.
LEAD PARTNER: E-zavod, SI
PROJECT PARTNERS:
- Goriška Local Energy Agency, Nova Gorica, SI
- Korimako, SI
- KLIK, energy cooperative, HR
- Island Development Agency, HR
- Technical University of Kosice, SK
- EGTC Alpine Pearls ltd, AT
- Regional Education and Information Centre for sustainable development in South East Europe, BA
- Agency for development and business support, ME
- National Society of Conservationists, HU
- Center for Sustainable Energy Development Ilc, RS
- Agency of Brasov for the Management of Energy and Environment, RO
PROJECT BUDGET: Total 2.045.335,00; Interreg Funds 1.636.268,00
E-ZAVOD’S ERDF BUDGET: 198.388,00 EUR
PROJECT DURATION: 1.1.2024 – 30.6.2026
Link to the project page: https://interreg-danube.eu/projects/deca
BURNOUT PREVENT
Project information
Project Title: Enhancing Skills, Developing Innovative Service Solutions and Policy Recommendations for Burnout Prevention, in CE Smart Specialization Sectors
Project Acronym: BURNOUT PREVENT
Programme Priority: Cooperating for a smarter central Europe - Strengthening skills for smart specialisation, industrial transition and entrepreneurship in central Europe
About the project
Project Summary
BURNOUT PREVENT project will strengthen entrepreneurial skills and set up organizational model for burnout syndrome resilience in the SMEs from 3 smart specialisation fields: Industry 4.0, Smart Health and Sustainable Food. It will provide managers and employees new knowledge and skills for implementing burnout preventive measures in the work and outside work environment. Project will achieve main change by enhancing knowledge and skills and providing comprehensive solutions to prevent burnout syndrome in SMEs. Consequently, the working environment will be improved, resulting in higher productivity and creativeness of SMEs, in selected Smart Specialization sectors: Industry 4.0, Smart Health and Sustainable Food. Key outputs include training for 420 stakeholders, a "Capacity Building Management Model" for workplace redesign, a "Personal Guide for Burnout Prevention," and a CE-wide digital detox initiative.
Project activities
In the first work package, the project will develop burnout prevention training material and 420 stakeholders will be trained. Transnational Burnout syndrome prevention measures testing will be done by SMEs in 7 CE countries resulting in the "Capacity building management model for the organisational redesign" of the working environment. The model will be taken up by 21 SMEs coming from selected Smart Specialisation Fields: Industry 4.0, Smart Health and Sustainable Food.
Second work package will improve knowledge of general public for prevention of burnout syndrome and decrease negative consequences of digital overuse. The pilot testing in 7 CE countries will translate into the "Personal guide for prevention and successful overcoming of burnout syndrome" and will be taken up by 70 employees.
Third work package will develop CE strategy and policy recommendations for improvement of occupational mental health, which will be taken up by at least 2 national public health institutes. Work package will initiate "CE Digital detox week" and improve knowledge of latest occupational mental health trends.
Project Duration: 30 months (1.7.2024 – 31.12.2026)
List of Project Partners
- E-institute (Lead Partner) – Slovenia
- Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine - Poland
- Comenius University Bratislava - Slovakia
- Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Hungary
- Padova Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Crafts and Agriculture – Italy
- Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia – Chamber of Agricultural and Food Enterprises - Slovenia
- Croatian Chamber of Economy – Croatia
- Mazovia Development Agency Plc – Poland
- Bwcon GmbH – Germany
- National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy – Hungary
- Croatian Institute of Public Health - Croatia
Project Funding
- Total Project Budget: 2.084.155 €
- Total EU Contribution: 1.667.324 €
REVIVE
Project information
PROJECT TITLE: Developing community based innovative business models for the revival of the internal areas in the Mediterranean
Project Acronym: REVIVE
Programme Priority: Smarter MED
About the project
Project Summary
In the last decades, the internal territories of the Mediterranean have been affected by steady
depopulation processes that have led people to move to urban and coastal areas with a higher concentration of economic activities. Low economic dynamism, scarce public services, lack of job opportunities, poor digitalization and accessibility are the main challenges that make the internal areas more vulnerable.
REVIVE project fits into this context, by building on participatory and capacity building approaches to reinforce the collaboration among quadruple helix stakeholders, strengthen the cohesion of communities and co-design innovative and integrated solutions to common challenges. Through a transnational cooperation and coordination project partners will develop and test collaborative economic models through the creation of Innovative Community Cooperatives with the aim of developing interconnected products and services for the supply chains of existing economic sectors. In parallel, the project will co-design a set of digital services and test the application of advanced technologies through the creation of Mediterranean Digital Innovation Hubs. The MDIHs will then be integrated in the REVIVE transnational cluster of Innovative Community Cooperatives that will jointly provide concrete solutions for creating new business opportunities, encourage people to live and invest in these areas.
In its final phase the project will provide a transferring framework that will set the basis for upscaling of results, strengthen the cohesion and promote the transition towards competitive,
innovative and resilient ecosystems of the internal territories of the transnational cooperation area.
Project Goal
The main objective of the project is to implement innovative solutions for a sustainable economy with the aim of accelerating the transition towards competitive, sustainable and resilient ecosystems in the internal areas of the Mediterranean Regions.
Project Specific Objectives
Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies.
Key Project Activities
- Pilot framework set up: analysis of existing policies, innovation ecosystems and economic models in pilot areas, existing GP assessment and previous experiences output integration, stakeholders group set up (SG), methodology set up.
- Collaborative economy business models innovation: engagement and community participation, local pilots action plans co-design, transnational pilot exchange, pilot testing, pilot evaluation,
- Mediterranean Digital Innovation Hubs: MED Digital innovation hubs (MDIHs) set up and digital laboratories for improving skills, building immersive experiences, data integration.
- Scaling out and sustainability: coordination with the mission’s governance projects (TCP & IDP) and JS, carbon footprint monitoring and offsetting, scaling out of project results, project closure.
Project Duration: 33 months (1.1.2024 – 30.9.2026)
List of Project Partners
- Larnaca and Famagusta Districts Development Agency (Cyprus) - LEADING PARTNER
- National Research Council – CNR (Italy)
- Institute of Agriculture and Tourism - IPTPO (Croatia)
- Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Services and Navigation of Mallorca - MCC (Spain)
- National Association of Italian Municipalities - Tuscany - ANCI Toscana (Italy)
- Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group in South East Europe - SWG RRD (North Macedonia)
- Development Agency of South Aegean Region - READ S.A. (Greece)
- Balearic Islands Agency for Tourism - AETIB (Spain)
- E-institute (Lead Partner) – Slovenia
Project Funding
- Total Project Budget: €2,380,000
- Total EU Contribution: €1,904,000
CROWDFUNDMATCH
Project information
PROJECT TITLE: Unlocking the Crowdfunding Potential for the European Structural and Investment Funds
ACRONYM: CROWDFUNDMATCH
ABOUT THE PROJECT
CROWDFUNDMATCH project builds on recent DG Regio's recognition of crowdfunding as innovative digital tool for combining with ESIF funds. Cohesion policy needs to become more inventive, flexible and quickly reacting to changing market conditions. Digital transition can only be successfull with development of digital user-oriented services and crowdfunding is one of them. Benefits of crowd-fund-matching are not just more efficient spending of public funds, but also greater citizens engagement, end-user verification of products/services and improved digitalisation of public and private sector.The project will improve implementation of 8 policy instruments by combining ESIF and digital crowdfunding. Improvement will be result of transnational learning process composed of market readines verification, regional and transnational stakeholder meetings, exchange of existing good practices, piloting and peer-to-peer learning. Improved policy instruments will facilitate mainstreaming of fund-matching, resulting in better innovative digital public services and contributing to EU Digital Transition.Policy improvement will mainly focus on new projects supporting SME access to finance, foster socio-economic development, job creation and transition to green and inclusive economy. Consortium is composed of lead partner, Region of Marche, advisory partner, four regional authorities, two regional development agencies and one national public investment agency. Project will support testing of five pilot actions leading to interregional peet-to-peer learnings resulting in improvement of eight policy instruments. Project has strong innovative character being the first one in EU focusing on combination of ESIF with digital crowdfunding campaigns. Improved policy instruments could inspire other EU regions to follow examples of CROWDFUNDMATCH project.
LEAD PARTNER: Marche Region
PROJECT PARTNERS:
- Public Investment Development Agency, Lithuania
- Directorate General for Entreprise - Regional Ministry for Economy, Science and Digital Agenda - Reg. Government of Extremadura - Spain
- North-West Regional Development Agency (Agenţia de Dezvoltare Regională Nord-Vest) - Romania
- Region of Central Macedonia - Greece
- Westpomeranian Region - Poland
- Province of Antwerp - Belgium
- Regional Development Agency Utrecht region - Netherland
- E-zavod, Slovenia
PROJECT BUDGET: 1.876.520 €
Project duration: 03.2023 – 02.2027
Contact
Contact person:
Anja Prislan
Tel.: +386 2 749 32 24
Fax: +386 2 749 32 17
E-mail:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CROWDFUNDMATCH
Twitter: https://twitter.com/crowdfundmatch
LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crowd-fund-match/
MEDDIET GO
Project information
Project Title: Med Diet identities - from territorial networking to cluster organization
Project Acronym: MedDiet Go
Programme Priority: Smarter MED
About the project
Project Goal
The overarching goal of MedDiet Go is to combat the dualism of urban congestion and rural depopulation/desertification in the Mediterranean, a region experiencing significant climate change impacts. By leveraging the Mediterranean Diet's (MD) model of resilience, the project seeks to promote a more balanced approach to tourism destinations, focusing on rural areas and sustainability.
Project Specific Objectives:
- To preserve and promote the Mediterranean Diet's traditions through technological innovation and networking.
- To expand adherence to Mediterranean Diet values across both existing MD.net communities and new partner territories.
- To strengthen the Med Diet Euro-Cluster network, supporting rural economies and enhancing their competitiveness in the global market.
- To establish MD territories and products as niche international tourism destinations, fostering sustainable tourism development.
Key Project Activities:
- Raising awareness of the MDG strategy and MD branding in partner regions.
- Promoting the capitalization of MD.net's high-quality results, including the MD Declaration and MD Euro-Cluster.
- Enhancing cooperation between multi-level, transnational actors based on MD knowledge, experience, and results.
- Engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including technical and business networks, and facilitating collaboration between micro and small entrepreneurs and research bodies.
Project Duration: 27 months, 01.2024 - 03.2026
List of Project Partners
- Official Chamber of Commerce Industry Services and Navigation of Seville (Lead Partner) – Spain
- Mediterranean Diet Foundation – Spain
- Institute for Comprehensive Development Solutions – Slovenia
- Puglia Region – Italy
- Company for Research Education Innovation and Development of the North Aegean Region S.A. – Greece
- Alentejo Regional Development Agency – Portugal
- Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vratsa - Bulgaria
Project Budget:
Total project budget: €999.628,40
Total EU funds: €799.702,72
Project website: https://meddietgo.interreg-euro-med.eu