GREET CE:

GREET CE Final Conference in Brussels: Interregional Innovation for a Greener and More Competitive Europe

Feb 19, 2026

GREET CE Final Conference in Brussels: Interregional Innovation for a Greener and More Competitive Europe

Feb 19, 2026

On 18 February 2026, one day before the official completion of the GREET CE project, the partnership gathered in Brussels for the GREET CE Final Conference – “Strategy to Scale: Interregional Innovation Investments for a Resilient Europe.”

The hybrid event took place at the prestigious University Foundation (Fondation Universitaire), Rue d’Egmont 11, bringing together nearly 100 participants onsite and additional stakeholders online from across Europe. The historic wood-panelled meeting hall — a venue that hosted Albert Einstein, one of the greatest scientific minds in human history, during his visits to Brussels in the 1920s — provided a symbolic setting for reflecting on Europe’s long tradition of knowledge, innovation and cooperation.

27 months of interregional cooperation and innovation

After 27 months (Nov 2023 – Feb 2026), GREET CE successfully demonstrated how interregional ecosystems, SMEs and innovation actors can collaborate to advance the green transition across Central Europe.

The conference highlighted results from GREET CE 4 pilots and investment pathways.

Strong EU policy and innovation dialogue

High-level speakers from EU institutions and European networks addressed the role of interregional cooperation and investment instruments, including:

  • Maja Ferlinc (EISMEA) — Supporting circular supply chains with I3
  • Agne Kazlauskaitė (DG REGIO) — Financing innovation at scale, S3 & STEP
  • Davila Diaz (DG AGRI) — Sustainable agriculture and resilience
  • Daniel Ács (BEC) — Bio-based value chains
  • Mickael Bianchin (FEDARENE) — EU policy perspectives

They were joined by regional agencies and cluster representatives including KSSENA, CCIS, EIHP, EGEC, DELFY and others.

SMEs and pilots driving real innovation

The programme featured several SMEs and innovation actors involved in GREET CE pilots and value chains, including:

  • MYCOPOR / Rutena (SI) – mycelium-based composites
  • CELIQUM (RO) – cellulose insulation
  • SADDAR (PL) – recycled plastic anchoring systems
  • Indeloop (HR) – circular composite recycling
  • Biograda (SK) – bio-waste valorisation
  • VoltVert (RO) – renewable energy communities
  • Sewergy (HU) – wastewater heat recovery
  • NON TOX HUB (SI) – bio based building materials

These examples illustrated how GREET CE supported market-ready circular solutions across sectors from construction to energy and materials.

Supporting I3 cascade funding: DEREMCO

A dedicated session presented results of the DEREMCO I3 project, including cascade funding to SMEs.
Slovenian company MYCOPOR (Rutena d.o.o.), part of the GREET CE eco-construction pilot, was among funded innovators developing mycelium-based circular composite materials.

Lasting legacy beyond the project

Although the GREET CE project formally concludes on 19 February 2026, its impact continues.

Its legacy remains preserved on the project platform:
👉 www.greetce.eu

and will live on through:

  • new interregional innovation partnerships
  • collaboration between SMEs and support organisations
  • investment-ready circular value chains
  • continued cooperation among regional intermediaries

GREET CE has demonstrated that interregional cooperation can turn green innovation into scalable business reality across Europe.

Presentations: