INNOMED-UP project, headed by the National Technical University of Athens, aims to solve one of the biggest problems of the Mediterranean cities, which are increasingly facing the problem of waste production which requires effective and urgent action. Circular economy principles can offer a solution to this problem. Recently a considerable part of the productive activities of the cities is represented by the creative and cultural industries (CCI), that is to say those industries which include advertising, film and video, architecture, music, art etc. Consequently, their involvement in the actions of INNOMED-UP is of great importance, the project in fact proposes to work with this kind of businesses to facilitate the transition towards a more circular consumption, optimizing resources, innovating Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and by transferring the knowledge acquired between Mediterranean cities not only among the project partners, but also among the citizens themselves.

These aims of the project will be achieved through specific points:

• Creation of business networks in the CCI sector among the historic centers of the Mediterranean, in order to promote urban revitalization and social integration;
• Access to new knowledge for cultural and creative SMEs through expert advices on circular economy and targeted training on the use of new technologies and tools to accelerate innovation and competitiveness;
• Promotion of social commitment through the active involvement of businesses and local communities, through the implementation of good circular economy practices, with particular attention to: increasing job opportunities; enhancement of social entrepreneurship, promotion of social inclusion and gender equality policies.

The INNOMED-UP project is implemented within the ENI CBC "Mediterranean Sea Basin Program" (http://www.enicbcmed.eu ).

Partners: National Technical University of Athens; Environmental Planning Engineering and Management; Municipality of Prato; Center for Economic and Social Research for the South of Italy; Municipality of Tunis; Birzeit University; Future Pioneers for Empowering Communities’ Members in the environmental and educational fields, Jordan.

Budget: 3.12 million euros, of which 2.8 million euros financed by the European Union through the European Neighborhood Instrument

Project duration: 1st September 2019 - 31st August 2022
Website: http://www.enicbcmed.eu/projects/innomed-up
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/innomedup/