Our story

What makes GREENSMARTMED special is the people and organisations behind it. Universities, research centres, technology clusters, development agencies, business organisations and local stakeholders are joining forces to bring different ideas, skills and experiences to the table.

Our partnership consists of organisations that place sustainability at the core of their work and actively contribute to the development and implementation of Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3).

Together, we connect research with real business needs, turning knowledge and innovation into practical solutions for businesses and communities. By working across sectors and borders, the GREENSMARTMED partnership is helping build a greener, more innovative and competitive future for the Mediterranean.

Partners

The testing and transfer phases have helped the project grow, bringing together existing partners, new expertise and fostering a wider community.

Part of the original partners continue to support the project as associated partners (EURECAT, TEXFOR, POLYMERIS, Stara Zagora Economic Development Agency, Regional Development Fund of Western Macedonia, University Claude Bernarde Lyon), while new partners joined us bringing expertise in agriculture, plastics, textiles and innovation across the Mediterranean (E-ZAVOD, SERDA, Technopolis Group Portugal, TTA-TC).

The project can also count on a growing community of organisations and stakeholders, helping to share knowledge, connect different perspectives and extend its reach.

University of Bergamo

The Lead Partner, University of Bergamo is an Italian university located in Lombardy, a key industrial region. It collaborates with numerous industries including machinery, textile, plastics, food, and automotive sectors. UNIBG offers diverse courses, laboratories, and research centers and has extensive experience in regional, national, and European funded projects focused on sustainability in manufacturing.

CUEIM

CUEIM has extensive experience in international projects, both as Lead Partner and Partner. It has played a key role in the Interreg Med Green Growth Community since 2016. Through multiple projects, CUEIM has deepened its expertise in circular economy, green growth, and sustainability. It has facilitated cooperation initiatives at various levels, aligning with the EU Green Deal goals. CUEIM also manages the Green Growth Community platform (GGCP).

AFIL Lombardia

AFIL is Lombardy’s regional technological cluster for Advanced Manufacturing, consisting of companies, universities, research institutions, and associations. Its mission includes fostering a stable community for cooperation, identifying and implementing strategies, and positioning Lombardy in inter-regional and European networks. AFIL focuses on the green transition, particularly through its “De- and Remanufacturing for Circular Economy” Strategic Community.

CERTH

CERTH, a top research center in Greece, ranks among the top 20 EU institutions for competitive research grants. It excels in Energy, Environment, Industry, Mechatronics, Information & Communication, Transportation & Sustainable Mobility, Agro-biotechnology, and Smart farming. CERTH has extensive industry and academic collaborations and participates in various national and European associations.

SERDA

Sarajevo Economic Region Development Agency (SERDA) is a regional development agency based in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, working to foster sustainable economic and territorial development. It brings together expertise in innovation, entrepreneurship, SME development, green and circular economy, digitalisation, tourism and regional cooperation.

TECHNOPOLIS

Technopolis Group Portugal is part of Technopolis Group, a leading international consultancy specialising in science, technology, innovation and public policy. It support public authorities, research organisations, businesses and innovation ecosystems in the design, implementation and evaluation of policies and programmes related to innovation, regional development, sustainability, competitiveness and the green transition.

E-ZAVOD

E-institute, Institute for Comprehensive Development Solutions promotes sustainable development by improving quality of life through environmental protection, social welfare, and innovative economic solutions in Slovenia and at the transnational scale. The organisation works both on national and international projects, translating European and global trends into practical solutions. Its expertise covers sustainable development, energy efficiency, renewable energy, innovation, technology transfer, and entrepreneurial support.

TTA-TC

Textile Trade Association – Textile Cluster (TTA-TC) was established in 2003 as a non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO). The primary goal of TTA-TC is to help Macedonian textile and garment producers improve their global presence, competitiveness, and sales. TTA-TC represents one of the most significant industrial branches in the Republic of North Macedonia and provides essential information and support to its members, contributing to their future development at both national and international level.

Associated Partners

Eurecat Foundation

Eurecat is Catalonia’s main Technology Center and the second largest in Spain, participating in over 60 EU-funded projects, including 16 as the coordinator. It is involved in various international programs like Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, and others. Recognized by the European Commission as a Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) Technology Centre, Eurecat collaborates with SMEs on market-ready research and innovation.

POLYMERIS

Polymeris is France’s leading competitiveness cluster for plastics, rubber, and composite materials, supporting SMEs, ETIs, and large companies in innovation with R&D partners. With a 380-member network, Polymeris offers 15 years of expertise and a full range of services from idea emergence to market deployment. It focuses on accelerating synergies between industry and academia to address circular economy challenges and the future of industry.

TEXFOR

Texfor has extensive experience managing European projects across various programs, both as a leader and partner. Notable projects include the Erasmus+ EcoTex (2017-2020), the Horizon 2020 ENI CBC MED StandUp! (2020-2023), COSME Circular Innobooster (2021-2023), the Horizon Europe CISUTAC.

University Claude Bernard Lyon 1

The University Claude Bernard Lyon 1 is a multidisciplinary institution excelling in fundamental and applied research, with over 5,000 international publications and 40 patents annually. It educates 47,000 students in science, technology, health, and sport. As part of Université de Lyon, it boasts 65 laboratories and contributes significantly to various scientific fields.

Stare Zagora Regional Economic Development Agency

The Stara Zagora Regional Economic Development Agency focuses on enhancing SME competitiveness in the Stara Zagora region, addressing economic and policy improvements, and fostering synergies among sectors, financial institutions, and academia. With over 25 years of experience, SZ REDA is a member of the Bulgarian Association of Regional Development Agencies and supports sustainable development and circular economy policies.

SUPPORTERS

  • Confindustria Lombardia (Italy) – The regional representation of Confindustria that brings together the 9 Lombardy Territorial Associations and ANCE Lombardia
  • Regione Lombardia (Italy) – Supports R&I in emerging strategic sectors, facilitates the transfer of research results to industry and fosters innovation throughout the territory to increase the socio-economic competitiveness and the well-being of citizens
  • Federterziario (Italy) – Non-political and non-profit organisation that has been operating for over 25 years alongside small and medium-sized enterprises in the tertiary sector
  • Associazione delle Camere di Commercio Italiane all’Estero (Italy) – Association of the Italian Chambers of Commerce abroad (ICCA), established to develop and enhance their activities, to disseminate their knowledge of the network to Italian institutions, international and business organisations
  • Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Entreprises (France) – The regional economic development agency of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, which aims to assist the industrial companies, in particular SMEs, in their economic development
  • Just Transition Institute Greece (Greece) – Non-profit civil partnership with the main goal of implementing scientific activities in support of the effort of the affected areas to the developmental transformation during the period of lignite phase out
  • Ministry of Economy and Finance, Catalan Government (Spain) – The unit engaged in the project, the Economic Strategic Area, is responsible for the coordination of Catalonia’s Smart Specialisation Strategy
  • Forest Bioengineering Solutions (FBS) (Spain) – A spin-off of the CTFC (Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia) aiming at valuing the knowledge generated in the CTFC and transferring it to the sector, to the market through the creation of innovative products and/or services of high quality linked to scientific expertise
  • European Digital Innovation Hub Zagore (Bulgaria) – Part of the network of the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), initially established with Digital Europe Programme funding and involving more than 150 EDIHs.