Project information
Project title: Green and Resilient European Excellence Network for Smart MED SMEs
Acronym: GREENSMARTMED
Mission 1: STRENGTHENING AND INNOVATIVE SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY
Programme Priority 1: Smarter MED
RSO1.1: Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies
Test (Thematic) Project
About the project:
The Green and Resilient European Excellence Network for Smart MED SMEs (GREENSMARTMED) project promotes the green and sustainable transition of SMEs in strategic sectors through a cooperative model, involving industries, universities, research organisations, associations, and institutions from different European regions (Italy, Spain, Greece, Bulgaria, France, Portugal, North Macedonia, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina).
Funded under the Interreg Euro-MED Programme, which aims to make the Mediterranean region more efficient and green, the University of Bergamo coordinates the project in collaboration with partners from other European regions.
The goal is to enhance collaboration among innovation ecosystem actors across European regions—industries, universities, research organisations, associations, and institutions—to support the green transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises, in line with regional specialisation policies.
GREENSMARTMED fosters a European community that can adopt innovations and solutions tailored to regional Smart Specialisation Strategies. It aims to facilitate technology transfer in key areas, focusing on sustainable materials and products, energy and resource optimisation, and emission reduction.
By identifying and sharing best practices and innovative solutions at an interregional level, the project encourages new partnerships and initiatives that support the identified strategic sectors.
Intended for:
- SMEs in the identified strategic sectors, with a focus on those located in the regions involved.
- Innovation ecosystem actors, including industries, universities, research organisations, and institutions.
Project Outputs:
- Development of methodologies to support SMEs in their green transition.
- Creation of a regional excellence network to foster interregional cooperation.
- Promotion of sustainable policies and strategies within the involved productive sectors.
The project stands out for its ability to engage diverse territorial realities, enhancing collaboration between research and industry to achieve sustainable and resilient growth.
The project develops, tests, and transfers a structured methodology to enhance cooperation among innovation ecosystem actors (industries, universities, research organisations, associations, and institutions) in different European regions. This effort supports the green transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises, aligned with the regions’ Research and Innovation Smart Specialisation Strategies (RIS3).
The project builds on results from previous Interreg MED initiatives, GREENOMED and FinMED, and focuses on the strategic sectors of textiles, plastics, and agri-food.
LEAD PARTNER: UNIBG, University of Bergamo, Italy
PROJECT PARTNERS:
- CUEIM, University Consortium for Industrial and Managerial Economics, Italy
- AFIL, Associazione Fabbrica Intelligente Lombardia, Italy
- CERTH, Centre for Research & Technology Hellas, Greece
- E-ZAVOD, E-Institute, Institute for Comprehensive Development Solutions, Slovenia
- TTA-TC, Textile Trade Association - Textile cluster, North Macedonia
- SERDA, Sarajevo Economic Region Development Agency, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Technopolis Portugal, Technopolis Group Portugal, Portugal
Project value: 2.948.621,60 EUR
Project duration (only Transfer phase): 18 months
"Project co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund."
The GREENSMARTMED project, co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg Euro-MED Programme, aims to promote sustainable innovation across the green manufacturing sector, with a particular focus on SMEs in the Mediterranean region.
Through the 6th Call of the Interreg Euro-MED Programme for Thematic Projects (Test Projects) – Test to Transfer – Fast Lane, GREENSMARTMED was officially selected to adapt and transfer its results in four new Mediterranean territories: Portugal, North Macedonia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The transfer phase officially started on 1 July 2026 and will run until 31 December 2027. It will be followed by a three-month project closure and final reporting period, bringing the official project end date to 31 March 2028. Overall, the project has a total duration of 51 months.
The project has a total budget of 3.685.777,00 €, with an EU contribution of 80%, amounting to 2.948.621,60 €.
The amount of ERDF funds allocated to E-zavod for the transfer phase is 63.985,60 EUR.
Project website: GREENSMARTMED – Interreg Euro-MED
Facebook: GREENSMARTMED
LinkedIn: GREENSMARTMED Project
