IT 
GREENSMARTMED supports the transition towards greener manufacturing by strengthening innovation ecosystems and fostering cooperation among quadruple helix stakeholders across the Mediterranean area.
Building on the outcomes of the Interreg MED projects GREENOMED and finMED, GREENSMARTMED developed and tested a transferable methodology and toolkit designed to support SMEs in turning sustainability challenges into innovation and business opportunities.
During the Testing Phase (LINK ALLA PAGINA ORIGINARIA DEL PROGETTO SUL SITO DI CUEIM), 10 organisations from five Mediterranean countries — Italy, Greece, Spain, France and Bulgaria — worked together to apply, test and validate the methodology and its related toolkit, focusing on key industrial sectors including plastics, textiles, agri-food, machinery, mobility and batteries.
During the Transfer Phase, the project primarily targets partner organisations in the newly involved territories — Portugal, North Macedonia, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina — and, through them, regional stakeholders and SMEs in the sectors concerned.
Duration: 51 months (01/01/2024 – 31/03/2028)
From testing to transfer
Following the successful implementation of the Testing Phase, GREENSMARTMED was selected through the 6th Call of the Interreg Euro-MED Programme – Test to Transfer – Fast Lane to adapt and transfer its methodology and results to new Mediterranean territories.
Partners
The University of Bergamo, CUEIM, AFIL and CERTH, partners in the previous phase, will support the transfer process through training, methodological guidance and knowledge-sharing activities dedicated to the new partner organisations:
- Technopolis Group Portugal – Portugal
- Textile Trade Association – Textile Cluster – North Macedonia
- E-institute – Institute for Comprehensive Development Solutions (E-ZAVOD) – Slovenia
- Sarajevo Economic Region Development Agency (SERDA) – Bosnia and Herzegovina
Objectives
GREENSMARTMED’s transfer approach is structured around three main actions:
- Establishment of Regional Core Groups, bringing together key stakeholders around regional Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) priorities;
- Assessment of SME needs and challenges, identifying opportunities for sustainable innovation and business development;
- Identification of Mediterranean-level synergies, fostering cooperation, knowledge exchange and new connections among regions.
Target Groups
GREENSMARTMED brings together key actors from regional innovation ecosystems, including SMEs, policymakers, business support organisations, innovation intermediaries, universities and research centres. During the Transfer Phase, the project primarily targets partner organisations in the newly involved territories and, through them, regional stakeholders and SMEs in the plastics, textile and agri-food sectors.
Connecting these stakeholders facilitates the exchange of knowledge and expertise, supports SMEs in their green transition and contributes to the promotion of sustainable policies and strategies in the manufacturing sectors involved.
Project Outputs
Through its transfer activities, GREENSMARTMED aims to:
- Support the adaptation of the GREENSMARTMED Methodology and Toolkit to the new territories involved;
- Strengthen partner organisations’ capacities through training activities, methodological support and knowledge sharing;
- Establish Regional Core Groups to connect regional stakeholders around regional S3 priorities;
- Identify SMEs’ needs and challenges, together with related opportunities for sustainable innovation and business development;
- Create new connections and synergies between regions, fostering knowledge exchange and cooperation across the Mediterranean;
- Strengthen the capacity of regional innovation ecosystems to support SMEs in their green transition.
Official references
For further information and updates, visit the official GREENSMARTMED communication channels:
- Website: https://greensmartmed.interreg-euro-med.eu/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559093074006
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/greensmartmed-project/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVTLp-C0nS-zoSqxOcGugdSjrEZFRAmc
The GREENSMARTMED project, co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg Euro-MED Programme, 6th Call for Thematic Projects (Test Projects) – Test to Transfer – Fast Lane, officially entered the Transfer Phase on 1 July 2026. Transfer activities will run until 31 December 2027, followed by a three-month period dedicated to project closure and final reporting. The project is scheduled to officially end on 31 March 2028. Its total duration is 51 months.
The project has a total budget of €3.6 million, 80% of which (€2.9 million) is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg Euro-MED Programme. For the Italian partners, including CUEIM, national co-funding is provided through the CIPESS Revolving Fund (Fondo di Rotazione).