Author: administrador

Galicia will host the first Spain-Portugal cross-border cooperation workshop for the promotion of the Atlantic Diet

Representatives of expert entities in the field will meet to define long-term work strategies in the framework of the Atlantic Diet Observatory
The event takes place in the framework of the European project DIETAT which, led by the Galician Agency for Food Quality, is under evaluation by the POCTEP program

24/11/2023, Brussels. Next Tuesday, November 28th at 9:30 am, in the Rectoral Hall of the University of Santiago de Compostela, will be held the first Spain-Portugal cross-border cooperation workshop for the promotion of the Atlantic Diet, in the framework of the DIETAT project, led by the Xunta de Galicia through the Galician Agency for Food Quality (AGACAL) and composed of a partnership of seven entities from Galicia and northern Portugal.

The workshop, which will be held from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, seeks to promote the concept of the Atlantic Diet and bring together a group of expert entities in the field to define long-term work strategies within the framework of the Atlantic Diet Observatory. Also, through Finnova Foundation, the conference will address the analysis of various European funding opportunities to promote the actions arising from the Atlantic Diet Observatory.

The Finnova Foundation, through its delegation in Galicia, is one of the driving entities of the DIETAT project proposal, leading actions of communication, dissemination and exploitation of results. It also provides expertise in thematic areas such as sustainable tourism, business development and access to European funding sources.

Agustín Quesada, Finnova’s delegate in Galicia, has pointed out that the Foundation’s commitment to participate in DIETAT is focused on the priorities; promoting the enogastro-tourism sector through local endogenous products, and the search for innovative solutions for waste in the HORECA sector on the road to sustainability.

DIETAT (Atlantic Diet Observatory R&D&I: boosting healthy lifestyle habits and the development of the cross-border bioeconomy; inclusive improvement of rural territories) is a project submitted under the 4th call of the Interreg VI-A Spain-Portugal Cross-Border Cooperation Program 2021-2027 (POCTEP) that is now in the evaluation phase by the program. The project proposal aims to promote the Atlantic Diet and its benefits for health and sustainable economic development in the Galicia-North Portugal Euroregion, in line with the creation of new markets and opportunities for access to employment.

To this end, DIETAT addresses various lines of action, such as the creation of the Observatory of the Atlantic Diet R+D+I, the establishment of a quality seal for the products that integrate it and the promotion of healthy habits, gastronomic and cultural tourism.

The DIETAT project is led by the Galician Agency for Food Quality (AGACAL), with the participation of the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), the Finnova Foundation and the Galician Confederation of Entrepreneurs (CEG) as beneficiaries on the Spanish side, and the Intermunicipal Community of Alto Minho, the Portuguese Business Association (AEP), the Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo (IPVC) and the University of Tras-os-Montes for Portugal.

In addition, the Galician Tourism Agency, the Health Research Institute Foundation of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), the University of Vigo, the Atlantic Diet Foundation, the Directorate General of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Technological Innovation of the Xunta de Galicia and the Galician Health Service (SERGAS) collaborate as unfunded partners.

About Finnova Foundation

The Finnova Foundation is a Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation working for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship at EU level. Based in Brussels, it operates through collaborations and partnerships in all countries of the European Union. Finnova’s experience in leading European project communication and dissemination activities is combined with a strong proven track record in start-ups and business support programs, such as accelerators, incubators and ceremonial event selection and awarding.

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The Finnova Foundation presents itself as a reference for the promotion of young talent at the “Internship Fair Brussels” at the KU Leuven

The Foundation was present at the fair to make itself known among the students of the Flemish university
Finnova has been committed to young talent for more than a decade

23/11/2023, Brussels. The Finnova Foundation was present at the “Internship Fair Brussels” organised by the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven) at its Faculty of Economics and Business Administration in Brussels on Tuesday 21 November. The bachelor and master students of the Flemish university had the opportunity to talk to part of our team in Brussels to learn about Finnova’s activity and to know first-hand their personal experiences.

The Internship Fair Brussels was a space for KU Leuven students to learn about the internship opportunities offered by the university in fields such as consulting, banking, or IT, among others. The Finnova Foundation shared space with leading companies in their respective sectors such as Deloitte, BNP Paribas, Ferrero or Henkel, another proof that Finnova is aligned with renowned companies when it comes to promoting young talent. This space has served for the foundation to present to those young people interested in the different internship options that Finnova has.

The Finnova Foundation, committed to the creation of talent

Participation in this fair is a further sign of the foundation’s strong commitment to the creation and dissemination of talent. For more than a decade, Finnova has trained more than 550 young people in its offices in Brussels and Spain, with the aim of addressing the lack of professionals in European affairs. The foundation is aware of the importance of supporting young people, giving them a first job opportunity that allows them to start their professional career and, at the same time, to develop the skills they have acquired during their studies.

This commitment to young talent is reinforced thanks to the more than 50 collaboration agreements between Finnova and various European entities for the reception of young talents. In addition, Finnova also works hand in hand with different mobility programmes promoted by regional and autonomous governments to offer opportunities to young people from as many territories as possible. Examples of this are the GENIUS programme of the Tarragona Provincial Council, the TALENTIUM programme of the Jaén Provincial Council and the Talent Factory programme, which allow young people from these territories to specialise in European issues.

Among these agreements with national bodies, we can highlight the links with the National Youth Guarantee System, which offers stays abroad through the Chambers of Commerce and the Mobility Plan of the PICE Programme. In addition, the Finnova Foundation hosts entrepreneurs from the Erasmus + Young Entrepreneurs programme, a transnational exchange programme that offers new entrepreneurs and people wishing to set up a business the opportunity to learn from experienced entrepreneurs running small businesses in other participating countries. Finally, Finnova also offers employment opportunities through the NextTalentGeneration platform.

About the Finnova Foundation

Finnova is a foundation working for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship at EU level. Based in Brussels, it operates through collaborations and partnerships in all EU countries. Finnova’s expertise in leading European project communication and dissemination activities is combined with a strong proven track record in start-ups and business support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and ceremonial event selection and awarding.

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The Finnova Foundation presents the European project FU-TOURISM at the Sun&Blue Congress on blue tourism held in Almeria.

The Finnova Foundation, as a partner of the project, presented the initiative within a round table focused on the challenges and opportunities of island territories.
FU-TOURISM, which supports the transition of European tourism SMEs towards a green, digital and inclusive economy, is a project committed to the circular economy and sustainable tourism.

20/11/2023, Brussels. Last Friday 17 November, the Finnova Foundation presented the European project FU-TOURISM (of which it is a partner) at the Sun&Blue Congress in Almeria (Spain), an event that brought together blue tourism initiatives and agents. This congress, which lasted three days (15-17 November), is a pioneering space on the blue economy applied to tourism at European level, and FU-TOURISM, as a project that reflects the importance of supporting this sector, participated in the last day.

Juanma Revuelta, Director General of the Finnova Foundation, presented the initiative at the “Smart Blue Islands” round table focused on the challenges and opportunities of island territories. Topics such as the perspective of islands as smart territories, the problem of insularity, the management of natural disasters and water management in those destinations most prone to suffer it and the use of European funds in island projects were discussed. The round table was moderated by Adolfo Borrero, senior advisor of Sun&Blue, and was formed by Robert Tabone, representative of the Ministry of National Heritage, Arts and Local Government of Malta, Gustavo Ventura, Secretary of Tourism of the Municipality of Ushuaia (Argentina), Carlos D. Gutiérrez, coordinator of the Fuerteventura Smart Island and Paola Plasencia, CEO of HECANSA.

The European project FU-TOURISM is an initiative that aims to support the transition of European tourism SMEs towards a green, digital and inclusive economy. FU-TOURISM represents an opportunity for European tourism SMEs, and is a pilot program that will focus its activity in Dubrovnik (Croatia) and Menorca (Spain).

FU-TOURISM has a budget of 4 million euros, is funded by the European Commission through the COSME program (Program for the Competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises), has a duration of 36 months and involves eight partners from seven European countries. The project is coordinated by Eupolis (Croatia), and has as partners Dubrovnik City (Croatia), Consell Insular de Menorca (Spain), Finnova Foundation (Belgium), Envolve (Greece), SYNYO (Austria), Vestbee (Poland) and Open Impact (Italy).

About Finnova Foundation

Finnova is a Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation working for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship at EU level. Based in Brussels, it operates through collaborations and partnerships in all EU countries. Finnova’s expertise in leading European project communication and dissemination activities is combined with a strong proven track record in start-ups and business support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and ceremonial event selection and awarding.

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Finnova Foundation talks about sustainable development, water management, tourism and European funds at the Sun & Blue Congress on innovation in blue tourism

The congress, held in Almeria from 15 to 17 November, is a pioneering space on the blue economy applied to tourism at European level.
Finnova presented the European projects FU-TOURISM, LIFE COSTADAPTA, CulturalDeTour and LIFE ECODigestion 2.0, in which it is a partner.

17/11/2023, Brussels. Today, Friday 17 November, Juanma Revuelta, CEO of the Finnova Foundation, participated in the Sun & Blue Congress, an event held in Almeria focused on innovation in blue tourism. Sustainable development, water management, tourism and European funds were the main topics of his presentation at a congress that aims to position itself as a benchmark meeting at European level in the field of blue tourism, providing an opportunity to learn about successful initiatives in various destinations and with presentations by renowned experts related to tourism and marine conservation.

Juanma Revuelta took part in the round table “Smart Blue Islands”, a space in which the speakers discussed issues such as the perspective of islands as smart territories, the problem of insularity, the management of natural disasters and water management in those destinations most prone to suffer it and the use of European funds in island projects. The panel, moderated by Adolfo Borrero, senior advisor of Sun&Blue, also included Robert Tabone, representative of the Ministry of National Heritage, Arts and Local Government of Malta, Gustavo Ventura, secretary of tourism of the municipality of Ushuaia (Argentina), Carlos D. Gutiérrez, coordinator of the Fuerteventura Smart Island Project and Paola Plasencia, CEO of HECANSA.

Revuelta took advantage of this space to highlight the Foundation’s commitment to sustainable development, water management, tourism and the promotion of the financing of European projects through European funds such as LIFE, INTERREG, HORIZON and ERASMUS +.

The CEO of the Finnova Foundation explained Finnova’s role in projects related to these issues and also those that focus on island territories.

He presented the FU-TOURISM project, which supports European tourism SMEs in their transition to a green, digital and inclusive economy. The Consell Insular de Menorca is one of the partners in this project, budgeted at €4 million and funded by the SMP-COSME programme.

He also spoke about LIFE COSTAdapta, a project coordinated by the Energy Council of Gran Canaria whose objective focuses on the adaptation of the Gran Canarian coast to sea level rise by means of a Tidal pool-reef construction system. LIFE COSTAdapta is a 7-year project funded through the @LIFE Programme, with a budget of €3.4 million.

Another of the projects he explained was CulturaldeTour, which aims to boost collaboration and entrepreneurship in the cultural tourism sector, and has a 6-month Acceleration Programme to help startups and SMEs to expand their business, explore new models and improve sustainability practices. This programme is funded by Creative Europe and has a budget of €200,000.

Finally, Revuelta presented the success story of LIFE ECODigestion2.0, which focuses on the production of biogas from slurry, agri-food and organic waste from the HORECA sector. The project, led by Global Omnium, is funded by the LIFE programme and has a budget of €970,000.

About Finnova Foundation

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RES4CITY Startup Europe Accelerathon boosts green solutions for smart cities and provides access to European funds

RES4CITY Startup Europe Accelerathon is an open innovation competition composed by three challenges that bring together the circular economy ecosystem.
Accelerathon winners will have the opportunity to apply for European funds to make their proposals a reality.
RES4CITY Startup Europe Accelerathon utilises a Startup Europe methodology of innovative project acceleration, led by Finnova Foundation.
Sign up on this link https://form.jotform.com/233112688186056

RES4CITY is delighted to launch the RES4CITY Startup Europe Accelerathon, a project that aims to encourage the development of innovative solutions to challenges related to renewable energy and fuel technologies in urban environments. The accelerathon is open to students, SMEs, entrepreneurs, researchers, start-ups, organizations, and entities in general that wish to contribute to sustainable development in urban environments.

Finnova Foundation, as a RES4CITY consortium partner, leads a Startup Europe methodology of innovative project acceleration that will be used in the RES4CITY Startup Europe Accelerathon. This Accelerathon aims to find solutions and funding through a competition of applied open innovation that brings together the circular economy sector and accelerates ideas and concepts related to clean energies in cities, and which integrate circularity. In this regard, an online competition methodology is established with training, mentors, jury, and a European Acceleration Ticket prize with the aim of presenting the project to European funding programmes.

The European Acceleration Ticket consists of a prize offered to the winners that will help that project to apply for European funds. In this case, the Finnova Foundation will advise the winning teams to turn their winning projects into a pilot program eligible for funding. On the other hand, they will also attend events related to the topic of their idea to gain visibility and meet other interested parties. In addition, all RES4CITY Startup Europe Accelerathon participants will have access to the Finnova European Funds online platform, with information on the various EU funding programs.

CHALLENGES

RES4CITY Startup Europe Accelerathon is looking for ideas, projects or proposals that provide solutions to the following challenges:

Challenge 1: Utilize smart energy storage to improve the availability and reliability of electric vehicles charging infrastructure.

Studies have shown that the transition to EVs will result in a 25% increase in electricity demand over current levels by 2040. As the vehicle fleet electrifies, one of the major challenges is the availability and reliability of charging infrastructure. This is where smart energy storage solutions step in to revolutionize EV charging. The solutions required to this challenge are focused on smart energy storage solutions to optimize energy flow, ensuring efficient and cost-effective EV charging, reduce grid strain during peak demand and stabilize the power grid and the integration of existing infrastructure.

Challenge 2: Realize efficient soil and land management through shifting business operations in line with the principles of the circular economy.

Land degradation costs an estimated EUR 36 billion annually worldwide, without considering the hidden costs of increased fertilizer use, loss of biodiversity, and unique landscapes. Returning biological material back into the soil will reduce the need for replenishment with additional nutrients. The solutions required to this challenge are focused on alternatives that address efficient soil and land management through shifting operations in line with the principles of the circular economy.

Challenge 3: Design green hydrogen production projects.

Green hydrogen produced from renewable energy is being considered as one of the promising solutions to achieve Net Zero plans. However, Green hydrogen projects requires significant amounts of renewable energy and water as inputs for electrolysers, and this will likely put pressure on land allocation for hydrogen production and water supplies. The solutions of this challenge are required to focus on the design of thoughtful green hydrogen production projects which properly manage impacts on water supply and land used.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

The RES4CITY Startup Europe Accelerathon is open to participants globally – students, entrepreneurs, researchers, start-ups, universities, public sector organizations and entities in general (public and private) on the condition that they are committed to have an idea or project on one of the proposed challenges.

Participation in the Accelerathon can be both individual or by 3-5 people teams. It may be noted that those who are accepted as individual participants may be allocated to a team.

REQUIREMENTS

Eligible participants must have a minimum of a B2 level in English, as this will be the working language of the Accelerathon. In addition, participants should consider that the Accelerathon will be conducted online, so participants must have a computer and internet connectivity to participate.

TIMELINE OF THE ACCELERATHON:

Registration: 15 November to February 2024
Info Session: January 2024
Team building: February 2024 – March 2024
Competition: March 2024 – June 2024
Semifinal: June 2024 (online)
Grand Final: First half of October 2024 (on-site event in Brussels)

If you think you have innovative ideas related to the challenges that are posed, you may register for the Accelerathon through this form: https://form.jotform.com/233112688186056

About the RES4CITY project

RES4CITY is a 36-month project with a budget of 2.5 million euros, fully funded by the European Commission through the Horizon Europe Program. It aims to enhance the development of sustainable renewable energy and fuel technologies in cities by co-designing an innovative educational program with stakeholders and promoting sustainability and circularity, filling knowledge and skills gaps for a successful energy transition.

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The European LivAI Project launches its Handbook for Understanding Ethics in the Field of Data and AI

Post author By administrador
Post date November 15, 2023
No Comments on The European LivAI Project launches its Handbook for Understanding Ethics in the Field of Data and AI

The European LivAI Project Handbook serves as a guide to understanding ethics in the field of data and artificial intelligence.

15/11/2023, Brussels. The Handbook for Understanding Ethics in the field of data and AI of the Erasmus+ LivAI project, Making Adult Education Lively Through Artificial Intelligence, of which Finnova Foundation is a partner, is now available. This is an important milestone in the first phase of the project, which aims to address technology and data from an ethical perspective, within a certification framework that ensures standards for all types of learning and work.

It has been created by the education and emerging technologies experts of the LivAI project consortium with the aim of identifying limitations in adult education on artificial intelligence and data ethics and offering practical ideas for their responsible use.

The handbook is addressed to adult educators, students and those interested in AI and data ethics. It is also aimed at educational institutions, teacher training centres and other organisations with a growing interest in AI.

Furthermore, the purpose of this handbook is aligned with the objectives of the project, which are the following: to increase institutional commitment to the implementation of the EU guidelines on ethics in artificial intelligence, to create Open Educational Resources (OER) that provide and validate competences in the field of data and AI, and to promote the ethical use of data in education at all levels.

The Finnova Foundation, as an entity specialised in areas such as development and innovation, promotes projects within the Erasmus+ programme related to these fields, as is the case of LivAI.

About LivAI

LivAI is an Erasmus+ project funded within the framework of the Adult Education Cooperation Partnership action. The two main objectives of the LivAI project are to promote the creation of educational resources, such as a handbook to understand ethics in the field of data and artificial intelligence, and the implementation of an e-learning platform with the possibility to validate or certify the acquired competences. The project has a budget of 250,000 euros and is led by the Universitat Jaume I (Spain) in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium), Konnektable Technologies Ltd (Ireland), EFCoCert (Switzerland), Project Consult (Italy) and UBITECH (Greece).

About Finnova Foundation

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Finnova participates in the FU-TOURISM project for the transformation of SMEs towards a green, digital and inclusive economy

Funded with €4 million by the European COSME program and with a duration of 36 months, FU-TOURISM seeks to establish a robust ecosystem that will provide a lasting impact on the tourism sector, promoting its resilience to future challenges and aligning with the objectives of the EU’s European Green Pact

An acceleration program will identify and support a total of 102 tourism SMEs from the seven European countries that are part of the project: Croatia, Spain, Belgium, Greece, Austria, Poland and Italy.

13/11/2023 Brussels. Juanma Revuelta, CEO of Finnova Foundation, has participated in Split (Croatia), in the official launch (kick off meeting) of the European project FU-TOURISM. This project, funded by the European Commission through the COSME program (Program for the Competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises), aims to support the transition of European tourism SMEs towards a green, digital and inclusive economy.

FU-TOURISM has a budget of 4 million euros, has a duration of 36 months (3 years) and involves eight partners from seven European countries. The project is coordinated by Eupolis (Croatia), and has as partners Dubrovnik City (Croatia), Consell Insular de Menorca (Spain), Finnova Foundation (Belgium), Envolve (Greece), SYNYO (Austria), Vestbee (Poland) and Open Impact (Italy).

The circular economy and sustainable tourism are a priority for the Finnova Foundation, as explained by the CEO of the entity. “This project is a recognition of the public-private partnership methodology promoted by Finnova to achieve sustainability in the tourism sector,” said Revuelta.

Finnova has extensive experience working on innovative solutions to achieve environmental sustainability in tourism. The Foundation has promoted projects such as LIFE ECOBUS, focused on the reuse of oils from the horeca sector for use in transport in Valencia (European Green Capital 2024), an initiative that, more than 20 years after its launch, is still ongoing. Finnova has also been part of other tourism projects such as the Interreg POCTEP NAPOCTEP (to convert the heritage of the French invasion period into a quality and sustainable tourism product that can create wealth and employment in areas of Castilla-Leon and central Portugal threatened by depopulation and aging), and currently participates in CulturalDeTour, to promote innovation, sustainability and business creation in the tourism sector through a design-driven process.

FU-TOURISM is the second project belonging to the COSME program in which Finnova participates. It has recently been a partner in the CircularInnoBooster Fashion and Textile (F&T) project, a project aimed at transforming textile and fashion companies into sustainable, circular and regenerative enterprises.

STARTUP EUROPE ACCELERATION PROGRAMME

FU-TOURISM supports European tourism SMEs in their transition towards a green, digital and inclusive economy, with a focus on applying the principles of the regenerative economy. FU-TOURISM will develop a supportive ecosystem for tourism SMEs, promoting greater cooperation on innovation between these companies and incubators and accelerators in the sector. To this end, it will launch an acceleration program that will identify and support a total of 102 tourism SMEs from the six European countries that are part of the project through support services for sustainability, digitalization, inclusive business models and direct financial assistance.

During the acceleration program, 10 SMEs from each country will be selected in a transparent and open manner to receive a 5-month support and a grant of €20,000. In addition, the Scaling Up program will select 42 SME consortia (7 per country) to receive a grant of 30,000 euros and corresponding business support.

LIVING LABS FOR TOURISM SME TRANSITION

In the context of the European Union, the COSME Program has proven to be an engine of development for businesses and SMEs in Europe. FU-TOURISM is part of the list of projects funded by COSME between 2021 and 2027, standing out as a joint effort to boost economic growth, job creation and foster business competitiveness on the continent.

One of the key pillars of the FU-TOURISM project is the development of a platform and network of collaborative 4-Helix Clusters, known as Tourism SME Transition Living Labs. These clusters will enable SMEs to be placed at the center of the tourism ecosystem, adopting a multi-stakeholder approach that takes into account the broader needs of the destination, visitors and local citizens.

UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO TRANSFORM THE TOURISM SECTOR

FU-TOURISM not only represents an opportunity for European tourism SMEs, but also for the unique UNESCO tourist destinations; the city of DUBROVNIK, UNESCO Heritage City (inscribed in 1979), and the island of MENORCA, Biosphere Reserve (inscribed in 1993); which will be part of the pilot projects of the program.

These destinations will test the overall Destination Management Organizations (DMO) strategy and support for tourism SMEs, with the help of EUPOLIS, which will integrate the Tourism Impact Model (TIM) and the Digital Readiness Index (DRI) to measure and report on the sustainable and digital transition of SMEs and destinations.

The FU-TOURISM project, aligned with the objectives of the European Green Pact and the EU Digital Single Market, is presented as a unique opportunity to transform the tourism sector towards a greener, more resilient and digitized model.

PARTNERS:

About EUPOLIS GROUP LTD.

Eupolis Group is an innovation co-creation advisory, training, and development company. We promote wise, agile, integrated, collaborative design, investment, ecosystems, programs, projects, products and services that create value for people, economy and the planet. Our partners are businesses, public and civic organizations, innovators, experts, leaders and change makers passionate to explore disruptively innovative, regenerative, shared wealth business and governance models and value chains.

About ENVOLVE

Envolve Entrepreneurship is a business support organization that has been at the forefront of global entrepreneurial support since its establishment in 2012. The organization champions founders and ignites innovation through an open startup ecosystem founded on efficiency, transparency, and growth. Envolve acts as a talent and knowledge hub, offering cutting-edge upskilling, valuable resources, support for founders, and impactful services and programs to the global community.

Nurturing the next generation of global disruptors, Envolve re-introduces its flagship program, Envolve Accelerator, building upon the proven track record of the former Envolve Awards, in Greece and in the USA. In Greece, the program has fuelled the growth of 37 businesses and has injected over €6,000,000 into the economy, while fostering job creation and economic welfare.

About FINNOVA FOUNDATION

Finnova is a foundation that works for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship at the EU level. With headquarters in Brussels, it operates through collaborations and partnerships across EU countries. Finnova’s expertise in leading communication and dissemination activities for EU projects is coupled with strong proven experience in setting up businesses and entrepreneurial support programmes, like accelerators, incubators and selection and award/ceremonial events.

About VESTBEE

Vestbee is a leading online matchmaking platform in Europe, connecting VC funds, accelerators, business angels, and corporates with innovative startups and scaleups. Serving as a catalyst for the startup and VC community, Vestbee provides an extensive toolkit, infrastructure and community. Furthermore, it offers startups software to manage fundraising, and investors, corporates, and accelerators a streamlined method for managing deal flow, applications, innovation programs, and demo days. Collaborating with esteemed global partners like Amazon Web Services, Hubspot and Zendesk, Vestbee brings startups the best deals, exclusive perks, and complimentary access to business tools that bolster their growth and development

About SYNYO

SYNYO is a Vienna-based enterprise that develops novel methods, technologies and solutions for various domains and challenges. SYNYO analyses the impact of emerging technologies from an interdisciplinary perspective. The team at SYNYO has diverse expertise in fields like Social Sciences, ICT & Technology, Safety & Security,

Energy & Sustainability, Urban Future, Smart Health Digital Systems and Smart Technologies.

About DUBROVNIK CITY

The City of Dubrovnik, Croatia, serves its residents through various departments, focusing on population, social services, culture, sports, and infrastructure development. It actively supports tourism and promotes equal opportunities for people with disabilities. Additionally, it implements projects with European Union funds, especially in the areas of social welfare and heritage preservation.

About CONSELL MENORCA

The Council of Menorca is the self-governing institution of the island. It corresponds to the Council the government, administration and representation of the island and has a fundamental role in the coordination of the local’s administrations. It has competences in different matters, such as territorial planning, management and inspection of tourism sector, management of historical-artistic heritage, waste treatment, care and social assistance of disabled groups, child protection, along with other tasks.

About OPEN IMPACT

Open Impact is an innovative start-up and accredited spin-off of the University of Milano-Bicocca that provides services and develops digital products for the measurement, enhancement and management of impacts in a perspective of integrated sustainability. Open Impact (OI) was founded in 2019 thanks to the meeting of a mix of experiences and skills coming from the world of academic research, social innovation and digital development. By collecting and systematising a huge amount of internationally validated open-source impact assessments, Open Impact has managed to create the first database in Italy for impact benchmarking. The Open Impact Database is designed to support organisations in identifying the impact they generate, linking it to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other sustainability taxonomies, such as BES and ESG

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The Finnova Foundation presents some European projects to councillors and mayors of Valencian municipalities in the office of the delegation of the Comunitat Valenciana in Brussels

The Finnova Foundation organised a meeting in collaboration with the Benaguasil Town Council at the headquarters of the Comunitat Valenciana in Brussels
The aim of the event was to strengthen the knowledge of the municipalities of Camp de Túria about European funds and to promote possible public-private partnerships that can be developed into new projects.
Finnova Foundation presented the European projects Res4City, SETOFF, LivAI and LIFE ECOdigestion 2.0

10/11/2023, Brussels. On Thursday 9th November an institutional visit was held at the offices of the delegation of the Comunitat Valenciana in Brussels led by the City Council of Benaguasil in the framework of its commitment to the development of municipalities through European funds. The event was attended by 19 mayors and councillors from municipalities in the Camp de Túria region, accompanied by Stephane Soriano, Director General for Diversity of the Department of Social Services, Equality and Housing of the Generalitat Valenciana. In addition to informing about European funds, Finnova Foundation presented four European projects in which it is a partner.

The introductory speech was given by Leticia Casañ Jensen, coordinator of the Delegation of the Comunitat Valenciana in Brussels, who presented the mission and functions of the Delegation of the Comunitat Valenciana in Brussels.

This was followed by José Alberto López Moreno, Head of Policy at the Fundación Comunidad Valencia Región Europea in Brussels and responsible for relations with the Committee of the Regions, who spoke about the opportunities offered by the Committee of the Regions (CoR) to municipalities and provinces and the mechanisms for political participation available.

Patricia Tejada, responsible for vocational training, Erasmus+ and training and youth at Finnova, introduced the European funds, highlighting the Multiannual Financial Framework and NextGeneration and the different programmes offered by the EU, such as the Horizon, LIFE and Interreg programmes, among others.

The next speaker was Laura Velasco, European Project Manager at Finnova, who explained the European project Res4City, whose main objective is to address the skills shortage in the EU in the renewable energy sector, accelerating the energy transition. Res4City has a budget of 2.5 million euros and brings together 17 partners from eight countries, including the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

Velasco went on to present the Erasmus+ SETOFF project, which aims to improve the preparedness and occupational safety of civil protection and security personnel, both from the public and private sectors, for future crises and emergencies through the development of an innovative online training curriculum based on a proven and successfully implemented simulation model. SETOFF has a budget of 312,307 euros and brings together 8 partners from four countries, including the International Hellenic University.

Elroy Arancibia, European Project manager at Finnova, presented the European project LivAI, which focuses on how technology and data in particular should be approached from an ethical perspective, within a certification framework that guarantees standards for any learning and working environment. It is an Erasmus+ project with a budget of 250,000 euros and is led by the Universitat Jaume I (Spain in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium), Konnektable Technologies Ltd (Ireland), EFCoCert (Switzerland), Project Consult (Italy) y UBITECH (Greece).

Finally, Ester Mbomio, from Finnova’s communication department, presented the LIFE ECOdigestion 2.0 project, a project funded by the European LIFE programme that, through its technology, generates renewable energy (biogas) in water treatment plant digesters by mixing putrescible organic waste. This project has a budget of more than 970,000 euros and is led by Global Omnium (Spain) in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Aguas do Centro Litoral (Portugal).

About Finnova Foundation

Finnova is a Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation working for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship at EU level. Based in Brussels, it operates through collaborations and partnerships in all EU countries. Finnova’s experience in leading European project communication and dissemination activities is combined with a strong proven track record in start-ups and business support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and selection and award ceremonial events.

About the Delegation of the Valencian Community in Brussels

The Delegation of the Comunitat Valenciana in Brussels is an administrative body that represents, defends and promotes the multi-sectoral interests of the Valencian Community before the institutions and bodies of the European Union.

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CulturalDeTour extends the deadline to apply for its Acceleration Program until November 19, 2023

Post author By administrador
Post date November 3, 2023
No Comments on CulturalDeTour extends the deadline to apply for its Acceleration Program until November 19, 2023

This extension is an opportunity for those entrepreneurs who have not yet been able to apply
The program will help selected startups get off the ground, scale their business, explore new models and improve sustainability practices starting in January 2024

02/11/2023, Brussels. The CulturalDeTour project is extending the application deadline to be part of the CulturalDeTour Acceleration Program (CDTA), aimed at small or early-stage sustainable cultural tourism companies in Greece, Spain or Slovenia to scale and thrive in a constantly evolving market. The new deadline to participate in the program runs until Sunday, November 19, and interested parties can register through this link.

Europa Creativa presents this Program in the framework of the CulturalDeTour project, a 6-month initiative that will start in January 2024. The objective is to provide an opportunity for sustainable cultural tourism businesses to gain valuable insights and develop essential skills to grow and expand their businesses through digitization, technology and sustainability using the Earth-Centered Design Methodology. The CDTA Program seeks to drive innovation, sustainability and business creation in the tourism sector through a design-driven process. To this end, it will select 30 innovative teams, SMEs and early-stage sustainable cultural tourism companies based in Greece, Spain and Slovenia, operating within the cultural tourism sector, to grow and learn, expand their business, explore new models and improve sustainability practices. Emphasizing new business models, the program will provide participants with the necessary competencies to thrive in the sustainable cultural tourism industry.

Resources, guidance, networking

Between January and June 2024, participants will be able to benefit from four national workshops in the language of each participating country, two transnational workshops for cross-border understanding and collaboration; five hours of one-on-one mentoring on sustainability business modeling, access to industry experts for customized guidance and advice, thematic courses and webinars from partner organizations, and networking opportunities to share best practices.

During the 6-month duration of the CulturalDeTour Acceleration Program, those selected will have benefits such as:

Four national workshops in the language of each participating country and two transnational workshops.
Five hours of one-on-one mentoring on sustainable business models.
Access to industry experts
Thematic courses and webinars
Networking to share best practices

Who can apply?

The CulturalDeTour Accelerator Program welcomes startups, SMEs or early stage companies based in Spain, Greece or Slovenia, operating within the cultural tourism sector.

Program schedule and phases of support:

The CulturalDeTour Accelerator Program offers an unprecedented opportunity for sustainable cultural tourism businesses to gain valuable knowledge, develop critical skills and form strategic partnerships. Together, let’s revolutionize the future of cultural tourism.

Scope and Selection: September 2023
Application period: September 2023 – November 19, 2023
Selection of 30 companies
Announcement to applicants: December 10, 2023
Launch of CDT Accelerator Program: January 2024
End of CDT Acceleration Program: June 2024

Link to the project call on the website: https://www.culturaldetour.eu/en/take-part/culturaldetour-accelerator/

About Cultural DeTour:

Creative Europe’s CulturalDeTour project, aims to use design-driven innovation and sustainability integration to drive collaboration and entrepreneurship in the cultural tourism sector, and create a strong cross-sector and transnational innovation network to enhance economic resilience during the recovery phase of COVID-19.

CulturalDeTour is the product of a unique collaboration between three heterogeneous but complementary partners from across the European Union – Envolve Entrepreneurship (Greece), Finnova (Spain) and Arctur (Slovenia).

About Finnova:

Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian foundation based in Brussels and Spain (headquartered in Valencia), working for the promotion and development of innovation and entrepreneurship in the EU. Finnova’s experience in leading communication and dissemination activities of European projects is combined with a solid proven track record in business creation and entrepreneurship support programs, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people.

News

Finnova Foundation joins in the celebration of World Ecology Day

Post author By administrador
Post date November 2, 2023
No Comments on Finnova Foundation joins in the celebration of World Ecology Day

It is a date that tries to raise awareness and sensitise people about the need to conserve the environment.
The Finnova Foundation is an environmentally conscious organisation and a partner in LIFE projects and the HORIZON RES4City project.

02/11/2023, Brussels. Yesterday, Wednesday 1 November, was World Ecology Day, a very significant event that seeks to raise awareness and sensitise people to the need to conserve the environment and encourage the practice of ecological actions that contribute to the biodiversity of the planet. The celebration of this world day pays tribute to ecology as a scientific discipline and recognises the work of professional ecologists.

Ecology studies the relationships between living beings and the environment that surrounds them, although it does not focus exclusively on the study of green areas. It carries out activities and actions that contribute to the sustainability of the environment and the planet, aimed at improving the quality of life for human beings and their environment.

Ecology promotes the importance of developing actions in harmony with the environment that favour the planet’s biodiversity. Some of these examples are the optimisation of production, consumption and services under ecological criteria, the management of waste generated, and the conservation of water, among other actions.

The Finnova Foundation, as an entity committed to sustainable development and water and waste management, joins the commemoration of this day in which it is intended to remember the importance and application of ecology in our daily lives to combat climate change. As part of this commitment, Finnova is currently a partner in three LIFE projects, the European Union’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action, and in a HORIZON projecto, the EU’s funding programme for financing and innovation.

LIFE ECOdigestión 2.0, with a budget of €970,000, aims to use biogas as a reliable and green energy source to meet industrial energy demand. The initiative, which will run until February 2024, is a consortium led by Global Omnium (Spain), in partnership with Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal) and the Finnova Foundation (Belgium).

LIFE NextFUMIGREEN develops natural fumigants from plant extracts to control pests in intensive horticultural crops under glass. The project has a budget of €2,758,921.01, and is led by the Spanish company FumiHogar, with five other partners: the Foundation for Agricultural Auxiliary Technologies (TECNOVA); the Finnova Foundation; B&B Asesores Auditores Ambientales; Comercial Quimica Masso; and BrioAgro Tech.

The main objective of LIFE COSTAdapta is to address the adaptation of the coast of Gran Canaria to sea level rise by designing a tidal pool-reef system. The project, which has a duration of 7 years and a total budget of 3,409,864 €, is coordinated by the Gran Canaria Island Energy Council (CIEGC) of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria with the support of 7 partners: University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC); University of Cantabria (UC); INGECID S. L.; Raley Estudios Costeros S.C.P.; ECOncrete AQUA; Fundación Canaria para el Reciclaje y Desarrollo Sostenible (FCR) and Fundación Finnova.

RES4CITY is an innovative €2.5 million educational project 100% funded by the European Commission through the Horizon Europe programme. The RES4CITY education programme has the main objective of bridging the skills gap that is slowing down the transition to sustainable energy. The programme will be designed by a multidisciplinary group of partners from academia, industry and European NGOs with expertise in energy management, renewable energy systems, renewable fuel technologies and the development and implementation of sustainability strategy design.

About the Finnova Foundation