Since July 2026, the GREENSMARTMED project has officially been in its Transfer Phase under the Interreg Euro-MED Programme, extending its validated methodology and tools to four new Mediterranean countries: Portugal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Slovenia. The project is now focusing on transferring and adapting its approach to new regional contexts, supporting sustainable innovation and competitiveness in the agri-food, plastics and textile sectors.
The first activities are already underway, with a strong focus on building capacities, sharing knowledge and engaging local innovation ecosystems.
Building capacities and sharing knowledge: the first steps of the Transfer Phase
On Monday, 12 October, GREENSMARTMED partners met for a dedicated training session focused on the project’s methodology, marking an important step in preparing the new partners for the activities ahead.
The session provided an opportunity to exchange experiences, share insights and discuss practical tips for implementing the different steps of the GREENSMARTMED methodology in the four new Transfer Regions: Alentejo (Portugal), Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Skopje (North Macedonia) and Eastern Slovenia.
Beyond introducing the methodology and its tools, the training encouraged dialogue among partners on how to adapt the approach to different regional contexts, taking into account local characteristics, innovation priorities and the specific needs of SMEs.
Building a shared understanding of the methodology is essential to ensure its effective implementation and to create the conditions for meaningful cooperation among regional stakeholders. By combining the experience gained during the Test Phase with the knowledge of new partners, GREENSMARTMED aims to turn validated solutions into practical approaches that can be applied and further developed across the Mediterranean.
Mapping regional ecosystems and identifying opportunities for innovation
Following this initial capacity-building activity, the partnership will focus on understanding the specific characteristics of each Transfer Region and identifying the actors, resources and opportunities that can support sustainable innovation.
The next steps will include:
- Mapping regional innovation actors to identify relevant stakeholders and establish a network of contacts to be engaged at the local level.
- Exploring regional strengths and strategic priorities to identify opportunities for innovation and growth across the agri-food, plastics and textile sectors.
- Identifying financial instruments that can support regional development, business innovation and the green transition.
- Adapting GREENSMARTMED’s sustainability assessment tools for SMEs to the specific needs and characteristics of the new regional contexts.
These activities will help partners develop a clearer understanding of regional innovation ecosystems, identify potential synergies and tailor the project’s tools to the realities faced by local businesses.
Particular attention will be given to SMEs and their capacity to adopt more sustainable production processes, strengthen their competitiveness and respond to the evolving challenges of the green transition.
Regional Core Groups: turning local priorities into collaborative actions
A key step in this process will be the establishment of new Regional Core Groups, bringing together relevant actors from across the four Transfer Regions. These groups will provide a space for dialogue and knowledge exchange, allowing regional stakeholders to discuss local needs, identify shared priorities and explore opportunities for collaboration.
By connecting SMEs, research organisations, business support organisations and public authorities, the Regional Core Groups will help bridge the gap between regional strategies and the practical challenges faced by businesses. Their contribution will be essential to ensure that GREENSMARTMED activities are grounded in local needs and that the solutions developed through the project can generate tangible benefits for both SMEs and the wider innovation ecosystem.
