Projekti

Projects

Regional open innovation hubs for green growth through digital transformation

Vodeći partner: Barleti Institute for Research and Development, Albania
Ukupan budžet projekta: 1.037.322,05 EUR
Budžet Tehnopolisa: 158.766,30 EUR
Trajanje projekta: 07/ 01/ 2025 - 12/ 31/ 2027

Projektni partneri

  • CETMA – European Research Center for Technologies, Design and Materials, Italy
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (IEC) Technopolis, Montenegro
  • Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation, Albania
  • ECO Fund – Environmental Protection Fund, Montenegro
  • Regional Agency for Rural Development of Agriculture and Fisheries, Italy

Cilj projekta

  • The EVOLVE project addresses the regional challenge of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in the IPA CBC area, offering digital transformation as a key driver of green growth and thereby overcoming the traditional trade-off between environmental protection and economic development. Although digital solutions exist, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and public sector actors connected to biodiversity-related value chains in Albania, Montenegro, and Molise face difficulties in adopting and scaling them in a coherent way.
  • The goal of the EVOLVE project is to create a cross-border strategic framework – the EVOLVE Biodiversity Strategy – which will guide SMEs, public authorities, and innovation ecosystems in using digital technologies to conserve biodiversity and foster green growth. The project is inspired by the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) model and adapts the “test before invest, skills development support, and financing advice” logic to the biodiversity sectors, ensuring that digitalization directly serves biodiversity protection goals.
  • Within the project, a series of activities will be carried out to strengthen digital transformation and innovation in the biodiversity sector in Albania, Montenegro, and Italy. Key activities include identifying and networking relevant stakeholders, developing and adapting the EDIH model for digital innovation hubs tailored to biodiversity needs, establishing and equipping two digital hubs (in Albania and Montenegro) with modern infrastructure and digital tools, and supporting the testing and prototyping of innovative solutions. The project also includes organizing cross-border workshops and exchanges of best practices, supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises through the testing of digital solutions, developing training and education programs, as well as activities aimed at assessing the potential of hubs to provide public services and raising awareness of the importance of digitalization in biodiversity conservation. Special attention will be given to informing users about available funds, calls, and investment opportunities that can contribute to innovation development in this field.

Ključni rezultati projekta

  • The EVOLVE Biodiversity Strategy has been developed, adapting the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) model specifically for biodiversity sectors in the Southern Adriatic region.
  • Two digital biodiversity hubs (Open Innovation Hubs) have been established in Albania and Montenegro, providing access to digital tools, best practices, and services for innovation resilience in the biodiversity field.
  • Enhanced digital services and cross-border cooperation opportunities for users, including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, public institutions, NGOs, researchers, and local communities.

Link do sajta projekta

Lead partner: Barleti Institute for Research and Development, Albania
Total project budget: 1.037.322,05 EUR
IEC Tehnopolis budget: 158.766,30 EUR
Project duration: 07/ 01/ 2025 - 12/ 31/ 2027

Project partners

  • CETMA – European Research Center for Technologies, Design and Materials, Italy
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (IEC) Technopolis, Montenegro
  • Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation, Albania
  • ECO Fund – Environmental Protection Fund, Montenegro
  • Regional Agency for Rural Development of Agriculture and Fisheries, Italy

The goal of the project

  • The EVOLVE project addresses the regional challenge of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in the IPA CBC area, offering digital transformation as a key driver of green growth and thereby overcoming the traditional trade-off between environmental protection and economic development. Although digital solutions exist, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and public sector actors connected to biodiversity-related value chains in Albania, Montenegro, and Molise face difficulties in adopting and scaling them in a coherent way.
  • The goal of the EVOLVE project is to create a cross-border strategic framework – the EVOLVE Biodiversity Strategy – which will guide SMEs, public authorities, and innovation ecosystems in using digital technologies to conserve biodiversity and foster green growth. The project is inspired by the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) model and adapts the “test before invest, skills development support, and financing advice” logic to the biodiversity sectors, ensuring that digitalization directly serves biodiversity protection goals.
  • Within the project, a series of activities will be carried out to strengthen digital transformation and innovation in the biodiversity sector in Albania, Montenegro, and Italy. Key activities include identifying and networking relevant stakeholders, developing and adapting the EDIH model for digital innovation hubs tailored to biodiversity needs, establishing and equipping two digital hubs (in Albania and Montenegro) with modern infrastructure and digital tools, and supporting the testing and prototyping of innovative solutions. The project also includes organizing cross-border workshops and exchanges of best practices, supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises through the testing of digital solutions, developing training and education programs, as well as activities aimed at assessing the potential of hubs to provide public services and raising awareness of the importance of digitalization in biodiversity conservation. Special attention will be given to informing users about available funds, calls, and investment opportunities that can contribute to innovation development in this field.

Key results of the project

  • The EVOLVE Biodiversity Strategy has been developed, adapting the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) model specifically for biodiversity sectors in the Southern Adriatic region.
  • Two digital biodiversity hubs (Open Innovation Hubs) have been established in Albania and Montenegro, providing access to digital tools, best practices, and services for innovation resilience in the biodiversity field.
  • Enhanced digital services and cross-border cooperation opportunities for users, including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, public institutions, NGOs, researchers, and local communities.

Link to the project website