About

Detailed Project Description

The Greet CE project focuses on the green transition in Central Europe, aiming to increase the capacity of regional innovation ecosystems, especially SMEs, in less developed Central European regions. The project is funded under the Interregional Innovation Investments Instrument and focuses primarily on green transition within the bioeconomy sector. Key objectives include fostering bioeconomy investments, facilitating interoperation in EU value chains, and enhancing interactive training and education opportunities. The project aims to unlock innovation potential, facilitate SME participation in I3 calls, and increase innovation investment.

The project will provide support for building, structuring, and connecting innovation ecosystems, focusing on circular economy opportunities and value chains in the soil-water-food-energy-wood nexus. This will involve fostering natural science, digitalization, and social and business innovation. Policies, action plans, and roadmaps will be produced with appropriate methodology and documentation, while communication activities will develop a professional identity for the project, enhance networking, external communication, visibility, and coherent communications. Results will be disseminated, and awareness of the project will be raised to ensure its long-term impact and continuation.

Project Overview

Project Title: Green Transition in Central Europe (Greet CE)
Acronym: Greet CE
Project ID: 101133227
Duration: 24 months
Start date: 20 November 2023 – End date: 19 November 2025
Programme: Interregional Innovation Investments Instrument (I3)
Topic: I3-2022-CAP2b
Type of action: I3 Project Grants
Project on EC Funding-tenders Portal: Funding & tender opportunities
Official web site: www.greetce.eu

Background and Context

The GREET CE project aims to boost the innovation ecosystem’s capacity within Central Europe’s less developed regions, focusing on the Green Transition. Targeting SMEs in Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Portugal’s outermost regions, the project emphasizes bioeconomy, energy, and niche pilots like Eco-construction, Digital (sustainable) energy, Regenerative Farming, and Renewable gases. With a consortium of experts across various domains, the project fosters EU value chain integration, interregional partnerships, and crowdfunding opportunities, leveraging ERDF Interreg and other EU funding mechanisms. Through collaborative efforts, GREET CE sets out to create sustainable development pathways, enhancing regional innovation capabilities and contributing to the EU’s environmental and economic objectives.

By integrating these regions into EU outlined value chains, the project not only addresses the specific needs of these regions but also contributes to the broader European goal of transitioning to a circular economy. This transition is vital in 2024, as Europe continues to navigate the challenges of climate change, resource scarcity, and the need for sustainable growth, positioning the GREET CE project as a key player in fostering innovation, sustainability, and interregional cooperation within the EU.

Project Goals and Objectives

Empowering Innovation for a Sustainable Future

The GREET CE project is designed with the primary objective of enhancing the innovation capacity of SMEs across less developed regions in Central Europe and outermost regions of Portugal. Our mission is to drive the Green Transition forward, focusing on the pivotal areas of bioeconomy, energy, and eco-construction. By fostering a collaborative ecosystem, we aim to achieve the following goals:

Strengthen Regional Innovation Networks: Facilitate the integration of Central European regions into European Union value chains, encouraging interregional partnerships and leveraging opportunities such as crowdfunding and ERDF Interreg.
Pilot Innovative Solutions: Implement four niche pilot activities in Eco-construction, Digital (sustainable) energy, Regenerative Farming, and Renewable gases. These pilots are crafted to address specific regional needs and contribute to the development of sustainable solutions.
Promote Bioeconomy Advancement: Aligning with the EU’s ambitions for a thriving bioeconomy, GREET CE targets the enhancement of bioeconomic practices within the participating regions. This initiative supports the EU’s strategy to reduce reliance on non-renewable resources, foster food security, and promote environmental sustainability.
Foster SME Participation: Unlock the innovation potential among SMEs by facilitating their active participation in EU calls for proposals, including I3 Strand 1 and Strand 2a, and assisting in the creation of ERDF Interreg & crowdfunding opportunities.
Develop Sustainable Value Chains: Through the project’s activities, we aim to establish new or modified value chains within the eco-construction sector, thereby supporting the EU’s transition towards a more sustainable and circular economy.
Enhance Knowledge Transfer and Capacity Building: Provide targeted regions with access to cutting-edge knowledge, innovative practices, and financial opportunities. This will be achieved through expert-led workshops, training sessions, and networking events designed to build a robust innovation ecosystem.
Contribute to European Green Goals: By advancing the objectives of the Green Transition, GREET CE directly contributes to the European Union’s goals for environmental sustainability, economic resilience, and social well-being.

The GREET CE project is a testament to our commitment to fostering innovation, sustainability, and regional development. Through collaborative efforts, we aim to create a lasting impact that not only benefits the participating regions but also contributes to the broader objectives of the European Union’s green agenda.

Target audience

7 EU countries (Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Slovakia + Portugal – subcontractor).

The GREET CE project will follow a targeted communication and dissemination strategy for each identified target group based on the needs and characteristics of each group. Thus, it will be possible to achieve the maximum impact at every dissemination activity that will be implemented throughout the project.

The target audience is a specific, defined group of prospects identified as the recipients of a particular marketing message.

The primary GREET CE target audience (groups) includes:

Innovative SMEs and start-ups operating in green transition sectors.

The secondary GREET CE target audience (groups) includes:

Innovation intermediaries and support organizations: Clusters, platforms, and industry associations.
Policymakers at regional, national, and EU levels and public authorities.
EASME, EU bodies, programs providing innovation funding.
Organisations, private persons providing private funding (specialized investors interested in bioeconomy and sustainability initiatives).
Universities, Research and Technology Organisations - RTOs
Other relevant EU projects, initiatives, cluster, etc
Media representatives and
General public (End-users, citizens)

By engaging your target audience through awareness campaigns, you can effectively communicate the value and benefits of your products or services. Successful examples include social media campaigns, working with influencers and personalised content tailored to the interests and needs of your target audience.

Competitive advantage

Holistic Innovative approach for green transition: GREET CE stands out for its holistic approach to green transition and innovation in Central Europe’s bioeconomy sector. By integrating natural science, digitalization, social innovation, and business strategies, the project tackles complex challenges in the soil-water-food-energy-wood nexus. Its multidisciplinary approach fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange, creating a dynamic environment for sustainable growth. With evidence-based policies and clear roadmaps, GREET CE offers a unique pathway to prosperity, making it a pioneering force in unlocking the region’s bioeconomy potential.

Innovative Methodology Integration: GREET CE sets itself apart through its innovative integration of methodologies across disciplines. By blending cutting-edge natural science, digitalization, and social innovation practices, the project pioneers a holistic approach to addressing bioeconomy challenges. This unique methodology integration fosters synergies, accelerates innovation, and drives sustainable development, positioning GREET CE as a trailblazer in the green transition landscape.

Strategic Partnerships and Expertise: GREET CE leverages strategic partnerships and unparalleled expertise to gain a competitive edge in advancing green transition objectives. With access to a network of leading experts, institutions, and stakeholders, the project harnesses collective knowledge and resources to drive impactful change. By fostering collaborative efforts and tapping into diverse perspectives, GREET CE maximizes its capacity to develop innovative solutions and propel Central Europe towards a more sustainable future.

Value proposition

Catalyzing Regional Green Transition: The GREET CE project serves as a catalyst for the green transition in Central Europe, particularly in less developed regions. By focusing on enhancing the capacity of regional innovation ecosystems, especially SMEs, the project empowers local businesses to embrace sustainable practices and technologies. Through targeted interventions and collaborative initiatives, GREET CE drives economic growth while mitigating environmental impacts, fostering a more resilient and competitive regional economy.

Unlocking Innovation Potential in the Bioeconomy Sector: GREET CE is dedicated to unlocking the untapped innovation potential within the bioeconomy sector. By providing support for building, structuring, and connecting innovation ecosystems, the project creates fertile ground for transformative advancements. From fostering natural science to promoting digitalization and social innovation, GREET CE paves the way for novel solutions that address complex challenges in the soil-water-food-energy-wood nexus. Through robust policies, action plans, and roadmaps, the project cultivates a fertile innovation landscape that drives sustainable growth and prosperity.

Empowering SMEs for Sustainable Growth: At the heart of the GREET CE project lies a commitment to empowering SMEs for sustainable growth and prosperity. By facilitating access to resources, knowledge, and networking opportunities, the project equips small and medium-sized enterprises with the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving green economy. Through interactive training, education initiatives, and collaborative partnerships, GREET CE enables SMEs to harness innovation, seize market opportunities, and drive positive change within their communities. By fostering a culture of sustainability and innovation, the project empowers SMEs to become drivers of economic development and environmental stewardship in Central Europe.