Green Manufacturing Stories brings together the voices of the organisations and people who have contributed to shaping greener and more innovative manufacturing ecosystems across the Mediterranean. Throughout this series, we explore regional experiences, success factors, and lessons learned from the implementation of this approach, highlighting the value of cooperation in accelerating the transition towards more sustainable production models.
In this interview, we explore the experience of our partner CERTH and the key lessons learned throughout the GREENSMARTMED project. We will do this through the perspective of Agapi Teftiki, Research Associate at CERTH.
In this article you will find insights into stakeholder engagement, industrial transition, and the role of transnational cooperation in supporting more sustainable manufacturing ecosystems.
About CERTH and their role in GREENSMARTMED
Could you briefly introduce your organisation and explain why participating in GREENSMARTMED was strategically important for you?
The Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH) is one of Greece’s leading research organisations, with significant scientific and technological expertise across interdisciplinary fields. Within GREENSMARTMED, the Chemical Process & Energy Resources Institute (CPERI), one of CERTH’s five institutes, contributed its experience in environmental technologies, alternative fuels, energy efficiency, circular economy, industrial symbiosis and smart energy systems.
Participating in GREENSMARTMED was strategically important because it allowed CERTH to build on its existing expertise in the finMED methodology while translating research into practical solutions for SMEs. As leader of Work Package 2, CERTH took a strategic role in testing and assessing pilot activities to validate innovative green methodologies in real-world regional contexts.
The project also strengthened transregional collaboration, enabling us to connect regional innovation ecosystems and support SMEs in overcoming organisational and financial barriers to innovation. By combining scientific expertise with practical implementation, GREENSMARTMED contributed directly to our mission of supporting businesses in their transition towards a more resilient, competitive and circular economy.
“GREENSMARTMED enabled us to transform research into practical solutions that help SMEs turn sustainability challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth.”
What are the main characteristics and strengths of your local manufacturing ecosystem?
Western Macedonia has historically been Greece’s main energy-producing region, with an economy strongly linked to lignite mining and coal-fired power generation. For decades, the region hosted the majority of the country’s lignite reserves and associated power plants, shaping its industrial identity.
Today, Western Macedonia is undergoing a profound economic transformation as Greece advances its energy transition. The gradual phase-out of lignite is driving the region towards new development pathways centred on renewable energy, energy storage, hydrogen technologies, sustainable agriculture and innovative entrepreneurship. Nowadays, the transition effort is pushing the region towards green energy investments such as RES, energy storage and hydrogen, sustainable agriculture, as well as innovative forms of entrepreneurship.
Why did you consider the GREENSMARTMED methodology particularly relevant for your territory?
The GREENSMARTMED methodology proved particularly relevant because it addressed one of the main challenges facing our regional innovation ecosystem: fragmentation among its different actors.
Although Western Macedonia hosts active research organisations, businesses and public institutions, opportunities for structured collaboration between SMEs and the wider quadruple-helix ecosystem remain limited. Smaller companies often lack the organisational capacity and financial resources required to invest in research and innovation, while also needing guidance to identify and access available funding opportunities.
The methodology provided a practical framework for strengthening collaboration between businesses, universities, research organisations and public authorities. Its strong emphasis on transnational cooperation was equally valuable, encouraging local SMEs to establish connections beyond regional boundaries and become part of wider Mediterranean innovation networks.
Building an Agri-food Innovation Community
How was your local Core Group formed?
The Regional Core Group established in Western Macedonia focused on the agri-food sector and was organised around two thematic sub-groups, one of which — dedicated to wine production — was coordinated by CERTH.
The decision to focus on agri-food reflected the sector’s strategic importance for the region. It is one of the priorities identified in Western Macedonia’s Smart Specialisation Strategy (RIS3) and represents a key pillar of the Territorial Just Transition Plan, supporting the region’s economic diversification following the gradual transition away from coal.
The sector has also demonstrated a strong capacity for innovation, attracting a significant share of regional research and innovation investments. In addition, the presence of an active cluster ecosystem created favourable conditions for collaboration between businesses, researchers and institutions. The wine-making activities particularly benefited from the existing regional wine cluster, which supports local wineries while promoting Western Macedonia’s wines both nationally and internationally.
Following the GREENSMARTMED quadruple-helix approach, the Core Group brought together SMEs, universities, research organisations and business-support organisations. Fourteen wineries actively participated in the testing activities, contributing their experience and helping shape the innovation process.
Key Figures
- Regional Core Group focused on the agri-food sector
- Two thematic sub-groups, including one dedicated to wine production
- 14 wineries involved in the testing phase
- SMEs, universities, research organisations and business-support organisations actively engaged
- Activities aligned with the regional Smart Specialisation Strategy (RIS3) and the Territorial Just Transition Plan
These figures reflect the strong participation of the regional innovation ecosystem in the GREENSMARTMED activities.
What main activities did you carry out with the Core Group?
The Core Group organised a series of in-person and online meetings with SMEs, collaborative workshops, Living Labs and stakeholder discussions involving representatives from across the quadruple helix.
These activities focused on identifying the needs of local businesses, assessing SMEs’ innovation capabilities and creating opportunities for dialogue between companies, researchers and public institutions. The collaborative process also helped participants explore funding opportunities, exchange knowledge and identify concrete pathways to strengthen innovation within the regional agri-food ecosystem.
How was the methodology initially received by participants?
The methodology was initially met with some hesitation, particularly regarding participation in the Regional Core Group. Many SMEs perceived the process as potentially time-consuming or overly academic and were uncertain about the immediate benefits for their businesses.
To address these concerns, CERTH adopted a more personalised approach, organising one-to-one meetings with participating companies and placing particular emphasis on assessing their innovation capabilities and specific business needs. This helped demonstrate that the GREENSMARTMED methodology was not a theoretical exercise but a practical framework capable of responding to real operational challenges.
Another important challenge concerned the limited knowledge of ESG principles and innovation management among many local SMEs. To bridge this gap, targeted capacity-building activities were organised in close collaboration with universities, research organisations and other quadruple-helix partners, further strengthening participants’ engagement throughout the project.
Video Interview: Engaging SMEs and Building Collaboration
In this video, Afroditi Stergiou, owner of Stergiou Estate, is interviewed by Agapi Teftiki as part of the Core Group process. Stergiou Estate is a family-owned winery located in the Kastoria region of northwestern Greece. Dedicated to expressing the character of its land and vineyards, the estate produces distinctive wines that reflect the identity of the local territory, combining tradition, sustainability, and modern winemaking techniques. In this video, Afroditi reflects on the key challenges and opportunities shaping the sustainable transition.
Topics covered
- The need of incentives for reuse and recycling
- The challenge of reducing transport-related CO₂ emissions
- The importance of collaboration among stakeholders to generate ideas and drive change
The added value of transnation cooperation
Was there a practice from another partner country that inspired you?
Rather than a single practice, we found the different regional adaptations of the GREENSMARTMED methodology particularly inspiring. Seeing how partners from regions with different levels of industrial development applied the methodology to their own Smart Specialisation Strategy (RIS3) priorities provided valuable insights for our work in Western Macedonia.
The exchange demonstrated that, despite differences in regional contexts, many SMEs across the Mediterranean face similar challenges in accessing innovation, financing and international cooperation. This confirmed the flexibility of the GREENSMARTMED methodology and highlighted its potential to support green manufacturing across a wide range of regional ecosystems.
The opportunity to exchange experiences with partners working in different economic and industrial contexts also encouraged us to reflect on our own approach and identify new ways of supporting SMEs throughout their green transition.
What is the main added value of participating in an Interreg Euro-MED project?
The greatest added value lies in the opportunity to move beyond regional or national perspectives by collaborating with partners facing similar challenges across the Mediterranean.
For CERTH, participating in an Interreg Euro-MED project made it possible to test and validate methodologies in different territorial contexts, ensuring that the tools developed are robust, transferable and adaptable to a variety of manufacturing ecosystems. At the same time, the project strengthened opportunities for local SMEs to become part of international innovation networks, increasing their visibility and facilitating their integration into emerging European value chains.
This transnational dimension significantly enhanced the project’s impact by combining local experimentation with shared learning and cooperation among regions committed to accelerating the green transition.
Looking back at the experience, was there a key moment in the process that you consider particularly significant?
One of the most significant moments was when the wine-making Core Group identified and prioritised a specific innovation idea for further development.
This marked an important transition from discussion to action. By agreeing on a common project with clear potential, participants were able to focus their efforts on developing a concrete roadmap while benefiting from tailored technical guidance and innovation support.
The experience demonstrated the value of collaborative decision-making and reinforced the confidence of participating SMEs in the co-creation process promoted by GREENSMARTMED.
What concrete outcomes do you expect after the project?
One of the most important outcomes will be the continuation of the Regional Core Group as a permanent platform for collaboration between businesses, research organisations and public institutions.
The innovation project identified by the wine-making subgroup also represents a tangible legacy of the project. CERTH hopes to support its further development and implementation, providing a practical example of how collaboration can accelerate green innovation within the regional agri-food sector.
Another significant result is the increased awareness among SMEs of funding opportunities and innovation support mechanisms. Companies that previously had limited knowledge of available financial instruments are now better equipped to identify suitable funding schemes, navigate application procedures and engage more confidently with research and innovation initiatives.
Together, these outcomes provide a solid foundation for strengthening the long-term resilience and competitiveness of Western Macedonia’s manufacturing ecosystem.
What recommendation would you give to other territories interested in replicating the approach?
Our main recommendation is to invest time in building trust and engaging stakeholders through personalised dialogue rather than relying solely on general meetings or communication activities.
The GREENSMARTMED methodology is most effective when businesses clearly understand how the process responds to their own challenges and development priorities. One-to-one discussions, combined with collaborative workshops, proved essential in encouraging active participation and transforming initial scepticism into genuine engagement.
We also recommend identifying a well-defined strategic sector around which stakeholders can collaborate. In our case, focusing on the wine-making value chain helped translate broad sustainability objectives into concrete innovation projects with clear benefits for participating SMEs.
Looking ahead, CERTH will continue promoting the project’s methodology and results through dissemination and transfer activities, further supporting the adoption of GREENSMARTMED tools by new organisations and territories interested in accelerating the green transition.
Key Takeaways
- GREENSMARTMED strengthened collaboration between SMEs, research organisations, universities and business-support actors in Western Macedonia.
- The Regional Core Group focused on the agri-food sector, engaging 14 wineries in collaborative innovation activities.
- The methodology helped SMEs better understand innovation opportunities, ESG principles and available funding mechanisms.
- Transnational cooperation enabled CERTH to exchange knowledge with Mediterranean partners and validate the GREENSMARTMED methodology across different regional contexts.
- The project established a strong foundation for future collaboration, supporting the long-term green transition of Western Macedonia’s manufacturing ecosystem.
