Interreg Euro-MED GreenSmartMed project:

The “Green and Resilient European Excellence Network for Smart MED SMEs” (GREENSMARTMED) project promotes the green and sustainable transition of SMEs in strategic sectors through a cooperative model, involving industries, universities, research organizations, associations, and institutions from different European regions (Italy, Spain, Greece, Bulgaria, France, Portugal, North Macedonia, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina).

Funded under the Interreg Euro-MED Programme, which aims to make the Mediterranean region more efficient and green, the project is coordinated by the University of Bergamo in collaboration with partners from other European regions.

Partners:

• *University of Bergamo – Italy

• *CUEIM– Italy

• *Associazione Fabbrica Intelligente Lombardia (AFIL) – Italy

• *Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH) – Greece

• e-ZAVOD – Slovenia

• Textile Trade Association – Textile cluster – North Macedonia

• Sarajevo Economic Region Development Agency – SERDA – Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Technopolis Group Portugal – Portugal

Associated Partners:

• *Eurecat – Technology Centre – Spain

• *TEXFOR – Confederación de la Industria Textil – Spain

• *Regional Development Fund West Macedonia – Greece

• *Stara Zagora Regional Economic Development Agency  – Bulgaria

• *POLYMERIS – France

• *Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1  – France

*Previously a partner during the project testing phase (1 January 2024 – 30 September 2026)

The project develops, tests, and transfers a structured methodology to enhance cooperation among innovation ecosystem actors (industries, universities, research organizations, associations, and institutions) in different European regions.This effort supports the green transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises in alignment with the regions’ Research and Innovation Smart Specialization Strategies (RIS3).

The project builds on results from previous Interreg MED initiatives, GREENOMED and FinMED, focusing on five strategic sectors: machinery, textiles, plastics, agri-food, and mobility & batteries.

Official References:

• Website https://greensmartmed.interreg-euro-med.eu/

• Social Media: 

  • 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

Goals

The goal is to enhance collaboration among innovation ecosystem actors across European regions—industries, universities, research organizations, associations, and institutions—to support the green transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises in line with regional specialization policies.

GREENSMARTMED fosters the creation of a European community capable of adopting innovations and solutions tailored to regional Smart Specialization Strategies. It aims to facilitate technology transfer in key areas, focusing on the development of sustainable materials and products, energy and resource optimization, and emission reduction.

By identifying and sharing best practices and innovative solutions at an interregional level, the project encourages the formation of new partnerships and initiatives supporting the strategic sectors identified.

Intended for

• SMEs in the identified strategic sectors, with a focus on those located in the regions involved.

• Innovation ecosystem actors, including industries, universities, research organizations, and institutions.

 Project Outputs

• Development of methodologies to support SMEs in their green transition.

• Creation of a regional excellence network to foster interregional cooperation.

• Promotion of sustainable policies and strategies within the involved productive sectors.

The project stands out for its ability to engage diverse territorial realities, enhancing collaboration between research and industry to achieve sustainable and resilient growth.

The GREENSMARTMED project, co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg Euro-MED Programme, aims to promote sustainable innovation across the green manufacturing sector, with a particular focus on SMEs in the Mediterranean region. 

Through the 6th Call of the Interreg Euro-MED Programme for Thematic Projects (Test Projects) – Test to Transfer – Fast Lane, GREENSMARTMED was officially selected to adapt and transfer its results in four new Mediterranean territories: Portugal, North Macedonia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

The transfer phase officially started on 1 July 2026 and will run until 31 December 2027. This will be followed by a three-month project closure and final reporting period, bringing the official project end date to 31 March 2028. Overall, the project has a total duration of 54 months.

The project has a total budget of €3.6 million, with an EU contribution of 80%, amounting to €2.9 million.