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Finnova will present the final results of the European project DESTINE at Entrenaranjos International School

Next Monday, 30th October, at 11.15am CEST

  • DESTINE advocates for diversity and inclusion in distance education.
  • The DESTINE MOOC platform, a virtual classroom to empower vocational training professionals to promote diversity, tolerance and inclusion within an online and distance learning environment, will be unveiled.
  • Entrenaranjos International School leads the promotion of diversity, tolerance and inclusion in virtual spaces in Valencia.

Entrenaranjos International School will host on Monday 30th October at 11h15 (CEST) the final event of the European project DESTINE. The event will present the results of this ERASMUS+ project which has been running for two years and has addressed the need to preserve the values of inclusion, tolerance and diversity in virtual classrooms.

DESTINE aims to equip all professionals and students with the essential tools to adapt effectively to an e-learning approach. To this end, it specifically prioritises the creation of a learning environment that is adapted to the needs of vocational training students. In this sense, the central action of the project has been the creation of an online platform designed for teachers, students and staff of educational institutions: DESTINE MOOC.

DESTINE MOOC is a tool for public use, available in 6 languages (Spanish, French, English, German, Greek and Romanian) and divided into 7 e-modules. The modules are presented as a virtual classroom to enable and empower vocational training professionals to promote diversity, tolerance and therefore inclusion within an online and distance learning environment.

The Finnovaregio Foundation, one of the partners of this project, has chosen Entrenaranjos International School to host this event, as a reference in the Valencian Community in terms of preserving diversity and tolerance in education. The CEO of the Foundation, Juanma Revuelta, emphasises the school’s commitment to aligning itself with quality education and being proactive in building inclusive spaces. “The trajectory of Entrenaranjos International School, which has almost half a century of history, makes clear its commitment to a personalised education, which puts the student at the centre of its activity, and which is committed to the use of an inclusive pedagogy in its daily life”, concludes Revuelta.

For María Arias Guardiola, director of Entrenaranjos International School, hosting this event “reaffirms our commitment to educational and inclusive innovation through new technologies”. “We live in a society that is immersed in technological development, where the advance of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has changed our way of life. The speed with which ICTs have burst into our lives means that, if we are not part of their universe, the gap between parents and children widens. And our sons and daughters are already born with this knowledge as an everyday thing, something that does not require them to make an effort to learn. In fact, it is an additional (and more attractive) tool for their daily education,” says the headmistress. Moreover, one of the basic pillars of the school is education in values. “Education should not be restricted to the preparation of certain knowledge, but should above all be understood as the process of forming a culture. To educate in values is to form capable and competent individuals. The purpose of our school is to educate in the construction of a fairer and more tolerant world, aimed at the future,” she concludes.

Erasmus +

DESTINE is led by a consortium formed by the Finnova Foundation, Osengo (France), AKMI (Greece), BK CON (Germany), Centrul Pentru Promovarea Invatarii Permanente – CPIP (Romania), Symplexis (Greece) and Future in Perspective (Ireland). The success of this project has been based on the good understanding and synergies that have been created during these two years between the different international partners, another aspect of Entrenaranjos International School that Revuelta has also highlighted. “Anyone who has had the slightest contact with the school’s activity knows first-hand the excellent work it has done in giving its students the tools to adapt to an increasingly global world. The work of Entrenaranjos in terms of internationalisation is impeccable,” says Revuelta.

In this event, beyond the presentation of the DESTINE MOOC platform, the scope of the European funds Erasmus + and the opportunities that arise through these funds in the field of education will be discussed. Erasmus + is the EU programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe.

About DESTINE

The Erasmus + DESTINE project (DivErSity and Tolerance IN E-Environment) was created with the aim of promoting an online professional training online vocational training that ensures support for diversity, inclusion, and tolerance, providing the necessary tools for all professionals and students to adapt to the e-learning methodology. students to adapt to the e-learning methodology. DESTINE focuses especially on those vocational students who need a learning environment adapted to their needs. learning environment adapted to their needs.

About FINNOVA

Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, 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.

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Informal EU Environment and Energy ministerial meeting in Valladolid discusses improving water management with progress on wastewater treatment

  • First of the three days of the meeting, with sessions focusing on an in-depth discussion of the soil-water-biodiversity system.
  • The European LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 project is a step forward in the transformation of organic waste.

 

12/07/2023, Brussels. Yesterday, Monday 10 July at 10:00 (CEST), the first day of the informal EU Environment and Energy ministerial meeting was held in Valladolid. One of the topics discussed at this meeting has been the improvement of water management with progress in wastewater treatment, objective of the European project LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0, in which Finnova collaborates.

The working sessions focused on the priorities of the Spanish Presidency within the framework of the objectives of the European green agenda, including the preservation of spaces as a support for the production capacity of the primary sector over the coming decades.

The Environment officers developed the agenda of this first day in three blocks. The first dealt with the integrated management of soil, water, forests and biodiversity. The second part of the day focused on existing alternatives for reducing marine pollution. Finally, the third block explored the need to balance the implementation of renewable energies with territorial management and the protection and conservation of biodiversity.

 

LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0

 

Ministers discussed joint management of the soil-water-biodiversity system, improving water management – with progress in wastewater treatment – reducing pollution and promoting circularity. One example of innovation in water treatment plants is the European LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 project. The project, funded by the LIFE programme and with a budget of more than 970,000 euros, uses innovative technology to transform putrescible organic waste into biogas through anaerobic digestion in the digesters of Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP), LIFE Ecodigestion 2. 0 is committed to making the use of biogas a reliable energy source to cover industrial energy demand as green energy to meet the EU target of at least 27% of energy from renewable sources by 2030. This methodology is particularly interesting in Europe, given that there are 18,000 wastewater treatment plants.

Tomorrow, the conference will continue to analyse the challenges to be presented at the next COP 28 and the improvements that can be made in communicating the opportunities of the energy and climate agenda.

 

About LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0

 

This is a pilot demonstration project, financed by the LIFE programme and with a budget of more than 970,000 euros, which generates biogas in sewage treatment plant digesters by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, horeca, etc.), thus transforming sewage sludge into green energy through technology. The initiative led by Global Omnium, (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal) aims to become the most versatile digestion control tool on the market, achieving environmental and economic benefits through the production of biogas by making optimal use of waste. Thanks to this technology, it favours the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the use of sewage sludge generated in wastewater treatment processes, thus achieving a positive impact on the environment. This programme is easily scalable with other funds such as FEDER, NextGenerationEU or Repower EU.

 

About the Finnova Foundation

 

Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, 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 strong proven track record in business creation and entrepreneurship support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people.

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Finnova launches S-MOVING Startup Europe Awards

  • Last February 17th, at Transfiere Finnova launched a new edition of the Startup Europe Awards in the seminar Synergies towards Technology Transfer
  • In this call of S-Moving Startup Europe Awards, three challenges were launched: “Biogas as an alternative and energy decarbonisation process in tourist mobility”, “Biogas as a decarbonisation process in the public transport system” and “Km 0 or Food Miles for the use of products generated in a sustainable way in each territory”

In the new edition of the S-Moving Startup Europe Awards, the search is on for the best startup with an innovative and market-applicable project proposal to promote the green transition. To this end, at Transfiere, the largest European forum for science, technology and innovation, held at the Trade Fair and Congress Centre of Malaga (FYCMA) from 15 to 17 February, Finnova launched three challenges: “Biogas as an alternative and energy decarbonisation process in tourist mobility“, “Biogas as a decarbonisation process in the public transport system” and “Km 0 or Food Miles for the use of products generated in a sustainable way in each territory“.

In the first challenge, which aims to accelerate the development of renewable energies, promoting circularity and committing to a more resilient energy system, solutions are sought based on the use of clean, green and renewable energies. This challenge is key to phasing out fossil fuels (gas, oil and coal), one of the objectives of the European Commission’s European Green Pact and RePowerEU.

The second challenge aims to find a project or idea that provides an innovative solution to energy decarbonisation in the public transport system in order to improve the environmental efficiency of buses and other public transport services in cities.

Regarding the last challenge of the S-Moving awards, a startup is sought with a project proposal that allows the promotion and use of Km 0 products generated in a sustainable way in each territory. Thanks to this idea, the carbon footprint and emissions caused by the large cross-border journeys of current products will be minimised, as well as combating the inflation of imported products and supporting local agricultural production.

The three challenges posed for this call for prizes are particularly related to two projects in which the Finnova Foundation collaborates: LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0, a technology that automates the digesters of wastewater treatment plants to convert organic waste in landfills into biogas, and Hub Iberia Agrotech (HIBA), of the Interreg Spain – Portugal programme (POCTEP) to promote an ecosystem and Agrodigitalisation based on a Digital Innovation Hubs Network (DIHs).

These challenges were presented at the seminar LIFE EDODIGESTION 2.0 – Synergies towards Technology Transfer on 17 February at Transfiere. As for the awards ceremony, which is an open innovation tool to identify disruptive startups that promote public-private collaboration and the fight against climate change, it will be held in the framework of Greencities and S-Moving in FYCMA on Wednesday, 20 and Thursday, 21 September. It is also worth mentioning that the startups that present themselves will be able to promote European demonstration projects in programmes such as LIFE and Horizon Europe with grants of between 500,000 and 15 million euros.

Register here to participate and know more about the challenges.

About Startup Europe Awards

The Startup Europe Awards (SEUA) is an initiative driven by the European Commission, implemented by the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with StartUp Europe. It is an open innovation tool that allows companies to identify talented startups capable of solving today’s challenges in multiple areas. Its mission is to help Startups and Scaleups become more efficient, smarter and more successful. These awards are a useful tool to promote knowledge sharing, add value to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and help startups to grow and position themselves in the market.

About LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0

It is a demonstration pilot project, funded by the LIFE programme and with a budget of more than 970,000 euros, which generates biogas in water treatment plant digesters by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, horeca, etc.), thus transforming wastewater treatment plant sludge into green energy through technology. The initiative led by Global Omnium, (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal) aims to become the most versatile digestion control tool on the market by achieving environmental and economic benefits through the production of biogas through optimal waste exploitation. Thanks to this technology, it favours the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the exploitation of sewage sludge generated in wastewater treatment processes, thus achieving a positive impact on the environment. This programme is easily scalable with other funds such as ERDF, NextGenerationEU or Repower EU.

About Hub Iberia Agrotech (HIBA)

It is a 5.3 million Euro project of Interreg Spain – Portugal Cross-Border Cooperation (POCTEP) HIBA to promote a Multi-regional ecosystem focused on the digitisation of the agri-food sector in Spain and Portugal through the creation of a network of Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs), which promote initiative, competitiveness and business sustainability, promoting economic recovery post-Covid19. HIBA has 19 beneficiaries, being the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development of the Andalusian Regional Government the main beneficiary.

About Finnova Foundation

Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, 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 entrepreneurial support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people.

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Biogas as an alternative and energy decarbonisation process in tourist mobility.

• Among the challenges presented in this new edition of the S-Moving Startup Europe Awards is the Biogas as an alternative and decarbonisation process in tourist mobility.

This edition of the S-Moving Startup Europe Awards seeks to reward the best startup with innovative solutions to the challenges of the ecological transition, with a project or idea that contributes to energy decarbonisation in tourist mobility. Solutions based on the use of clean, green and renewable energies, such as biogas and the production and use of biofuels, are sought.

The challenge proposal is crucial in achieving the objectives of the European Green Pact, the European Commission’s phase-out plan for fossil fuels (gas, oil and coal), RePowerEU and the diversification of supplies in a sector such as tourism. This challenge aims to accelerate the development of renewable energies, fostering circularity, and committing to a more resilient energy system.  

The three challenges that make up the S-Moving Startup Europe Awards were launched during the Transfiere forum, the largest European forum for science, technology and innovation, held at the Trade Fair and Congress Centre of Malaga (FYCMA). The awards ceremony of this call will be held in the framework of Greencities and S-Moving on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 September 2023, in FYCMA. This edition seeks to promote urban transformation, with a strong focus on smart and sustainable mobility, which is the added value of these awards. 

Finally, this call follows the strategic line of sustainable tourism and entrepreneurship actions in which the Finnova Foundation is involved, as is the case of the “Awake Tourism Challenge” of the UNWTO, second edition of the global competition organised by the UNWTO for startups focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) where participants were evaluated for their contribution to the development of an inclusive, resilient and sustainable tourism sector and with the participation of 2,000 participants from 120 countries around the world.

Register in this link to participate S-MOVING STARTUP EUROPE AWARDS (jotform.com)

About Startup Europe Awards

The Startup Europe Awards (SEUA) is an initiative driven by the European Commission, implemented by the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with StartUp Europe. It is an open innovation tool that allows companies to identify talented startups capable of solving today’s challenges in multiple areas. Its mission is to help Startups and Scaleups become more efficient, smarter and more successful. These awards are a useful tool to promote knowledge sharing, add value to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and help startups to grow and position themselves in the market.

About Finnova Foundation

Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, 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 entrepreneurial support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people.

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Valorisation of organic waste generated by the HORECA sector and its circular implementation.

• Whithin the Transfiere forum, on the 17th of February, the Greencities Startup Europe Awards were launched.

• This new call of Startup Europe Awards presents several challenges, one of them being the valorisation of organic waste generated by the HORECA sector and its circular implementation.

Last week, a new edition of Startup Europe Awards was launched whithin the framework of the Transfiere forum, the largest European forum for science, technology and innovation, held at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga (FYCMA). These SEUAs are the Greencities Startup Europe Awards. This new edition of Startup Europe Awards comes with some new challenges, one of them being the Valorisation of organic waste generated by the HORECA sector and its circular implementation.

With this challenge of the Greencities Startup Europe Awards, we are looking for the best startup with an initiative for efficiency in the recovery of waste from the HORECA sector as a source of supply.  One of the challenges centers around the recovery of organic waste from the HORECA, hotels, restaurants and cafeterias, sector for the self-sufficiency of their own facilities.   

The technology implemented or proposed must be able to propose a waste treatment system (generated by restaurants, hotels and cafeterias) and its transformation into renewable energy sources (such as biogas) in order to generate a “proconsumer” system (produce and consume). Thus establishing a circular system for the reuse and exploitation of waste.

The call for these challenges was launched in on the 17th of February, in the Transfiere Forum. These awards are an open innovation tool to identify disruptive startups that promote public-private collaboration and raise awareness of the importance of self-entrepreneurship as a driver of employment.

The final of this edition of Startup Europe Awards will be held within the framework of Greencities and S-Moving in September of 2023, in FYCMA, and the challenges posed are committed to innovative entrepreneurship in the field of circular economy, energy efficiency and the fight against climate change. The Finnova Foundation is looking for those startups that are providing innovative solutions to the challenges of the ecological transition.

Register in this link to participate https://bit.ly/3Y4WFRm

About Startup Europe Awards

The Startup Europe Awards (SEUA) is an initiative driven by the European Commission, implemented by the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with StartUp Europe. It is an open innovation tool that allows companies to identify talented startups capable of solving today’s challenges in multiple areas. Its mission is to help Startups and Scaleups become more efficient, smarter and more successful. These awards are a useful tool to promote knowledge sharing, add value to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and help startups to grow and position themselves in the market.

About Finnova Foundation

Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, 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 entrepreneurial support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people.

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Valorisation of textile waste generated by the HORECA sector and its circular implementation.

• On the 17th of February, whithin the Transfiere forum the Greencities Startup Europe Awards were launched.

•One of the challenges of this edition of Startup Europe Awards centers Valorisation of textile waste generated by the HORECA sector and its circular implementation.

Last week, a new edition of Startup Europe Awards was launched whithin the framework of the Transfiere forum, the largest European forum for science, technology and innovation, held at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga (FYCMA). These SEUAs are the Greencities Europe Awards and have several challenges. One of those challenges was the Valorisation of textile waste generated by the HORECA sector and its circular implementation.

With this challenge of the Greencities Startup Europe Awards, we are looking for the best startup with an initiative for efficiency in treating, reducing and recycling from the HORECA sector. The objective of the SEUAs is the valorisation of all textile waste from hotels, restaurant and cafeterias for the self-suffieciency of their own facilities. The technology and innovative methodology implemented and proposed must be able to propose a waste treatment system based on a circular system of reuse and exploitation of waste.

The call for these challenges was launched in the Transfiere Forum, on the 17th of February. These awards are an open innovation tool to identify disruptive startups that promote public-private collaboration and raise awareness of the importance of self-entrepreneurship as a driver of employment.

The final of this edition of Startup Europe Awards will be held in September within the framework of Greencities and S-Moving in FYCMA, and the challenges posed are committed to innovative entrepreneurship in the field of circular economy, energy efficiency and the fight against climate change. The Finnova Foundation is looking for those startups that are providing innovative solutions to the challenges of the ecological transition.

Register in this link to participate http://bitly.ws/AotS

About Startup Europe Awards

The Startup Europe Awards (SEUA) is an initiative driven by the European Commission, implemented by the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with StartUp Europe. It is an open innovation tool that allows companies to identify talented startups capable of solving today’s challenges in multiple areas. Its mission is to help Startups and Scaleups become more efficient, smarter and more successful. These awards are a useful tool to promote knowledge sharing, add value to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and help startups to grow and position themselves in the market.

About Finnova Foundation

Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, 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 entrepreneurial support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people.

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Sustainable technology challenge for the valorisation of sludge from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs)

• Last week, a new call for Startup Europe Awards was launched in the seminar Synergies towards a Technology Transfer by LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 held in the Transfiere forum on the 17th of February in 2023.

•One of the challenges of this edition of Startup Europe Awards centers around Sustainable technology for the valorisation of sludge from Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs).

Last week, several challenges were launched for a new edition of LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 – Startup Europe Awards during Transfiere, the largest European forum for science, technology and innovation, held at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga (FYCMA). One of those was the Sustainable technology challenge for the valorisation of sludge from Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs).

Waste Water Treatment Plants, or WWTPs, are used to remove waste, floating grease and oil, sand and all coarse elements that may be contained in the water; to remove settleable materials, both organic and inorganic; and to remove biodegradable organic matter dissolved in water. Because of various stages of wastewater treatment, sludge can be found in WWTPs receiving urban wastewater, in septic tanks and in other wastewater treatment plants treating water of similar composition (mainly from the agri-food industry).

With this challenge of the LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 Startup Europe Awards, we are looking for a project or initiative that provides a sustainable technological solution for the treatment and disposal of sewage sludge and its subsequent valorisation. As a first criterion to be followed, it must be a sustainable technology, as the system currently lacks technological solutions that can be classified as such. In addition, the increase in sludge production from WWTPs is due to population growth, the growth of urbanised areas and industrial activity, constituting an environmental and economic challenge. Therefore, as a second criterion, it must be a technology capable of transforming the limited use of sludge (typically agricultural applications as fertiliser) into ways of generating value and profitability (e.g. co-production of biofuel).

The call for these challenges was launched in the seminar LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 – Synergies towards a Technology Transfer on the 17th of February, within the Transfiere Forum. These awards are an open innovation tool to identify disruptive startups that promote public-private collaboration and raise awareness of the importance of self-entrepreneurship as a driver of employment.

The final of this edition of Startup Europe Awards will be held in September within the framework of Greencities and S-Moving in FYCMA, and the challenges posed are committed to innovative entrepreneurship in the field of circular economy, energy efficiency and the fight against climate change. The Finnova Foundation is looking for those startups that are providing innovative solutions to the challenges of the ecological transition.

About Startup Europe Awards

The Startup Europe Awards (SEUA) is an initiative driven by the European Commission, implemented by the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with StartUp Europe. It is an open innovation tool that allows companies to identify talented startups capable of solving today’s challenges in multiple areas. Its mission is to help Startups and Scaleups become more efficient, smarter and more successful. These awards are a useful tool to promote knowledge sharing, add value to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and help startups to grow and position themselves in the market.

About LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0

It is a demonstration pilot project, funded by the LIFE programme and with a budget of more than 970,000 euros, which generates biogas in water treatment plant digesters by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, horeca, etc.), thus transforming wastewater treatment plant sludge into green energy through technology. The initiative led by Global Omnium, (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal) aims to become the most versatile digestion

control tool on the market by achieving environmental and economic benefits through the production of biogas through optimal waste exploitation. Thanks to this technology, it favours the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the exploitation of sewage sludge generated in wastewater treatment processes, thus achieving a positive impact on the environment. This programme is easily scalable with other funds such as ERDF, NextGenerationEU or Repower EU.

About Finnova Foundation

Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, 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 entrepreneurial support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people.

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Improve biogas generation in Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP) and energy improvement in Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP).

• A new call for Startup Europe Awards was launched in the seminar Synergies towards a Technology Transfer by LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 celebrated in Transfiere on the 17th of February in 2023.

•One of the main challenges focuses on improving the generation of biogas in WWTPs and on the energy improvement in WWTPs

Last week during Transfiere, the largest European forum for science, technology and innovation, held at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga (FYCMA), several challenges were launched for a new edition of LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 – Startup Europe Awards. One of those was a Challenge to improve biogas generation in Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP) and energy improvement in Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP).

Waste Water Treatment Plants, or WWTPs, are used to remove waste, floating grease and oil, sand and all coarse elements that may be contained in the water; to remove settleable materials, both organic and inorganic; and to remove biodegradable organic matter dissolved in water. Even if nowadays theWWTPs in Europe have achieved significant energy savings, it is still a costly and intensive process, which also involves a considerable amount of greenhouse gas emissions. The development of WWTPs in Spain is characterised by its unevenness, due in most cases to the regional policies applied. Therefore, we seek to achieve a first class technology applied to wastewater treatment, which will save energy costs.

Besides that this challenge also soughts companies and entrepreneurs that promote the generation of biogas, improve the efficiency of its production or its subsequent use in services such as public vehicle fleets, which allow them to meet the objectives of circular economy and sustainable mobility.

The call for these challenges was launched in the seminar LIFE EDODIGESTION 2.0 – Synergies towards a Technology Transfer on the 17th of February, within the Transfiere Forum. These awards are an open innovation tool to identify disruptive startups that promotes public-private collaboration and raises awareness of the importance of self-entrepreneurship as a driver of employment.

The final of this call will be held in September within the framework of Greencities and S-Moving in Fycma, and the challenges posed are committed to innovative entrepreneurship in the field of circular economy, energy efficiency and the fight against climate change. The Finnova Foundation is looking for those startups that are providing innovative solutions to the challenges of the ecological transition.

About Startup Europe Awards

The Startup Europe Awards (SEUA) is an initiative driven by the European Commission, implemented by the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with StartUp Europe. It is an open innovation tool that allows companies to identify talented startups capable of solving today’s challenges in multiple areas. Its mission is to help Startups and Scaleups become more efficient, smarter and more successful. These awards are a useful tool to promote knowledge sharing, add value to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and help startups to grow and position themselves in the market.

About LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0

It is a demonstration pilot project, funded by the LIFE programme and with a budget of more than 970,000 euros, which generates biogas in water treatment plant digesters by mixing putrescible organic waste (slurry, poultry, organic fractions, MSW, horeca, etc.), thus transforming wastewater treatment plant sludge into green energy through technology. The initiative led by Global Omnium, (Spain), in collaboration with the Finnova Foundation (Belgium) and Águas do Centro Litoral (Portugal) aims to become the most versatile digestion control tool on the market by achieving environmental and economic benefits through the production of biogas through optimal waste exploitation. Thanks to this technology, it favours the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the exploitation of sewage sludge generated in wastewater treatment processes, thus achieving a positive impact on the environment. This programme is easily scalable with other funds such as ERDF, NextGenerationEU or Repower EU.

About Finnova Foundation

Finnova is the Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels and Spain, 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 entrepreneurial support programmes, such as accelerators, incubators and events, as well as its commitment to training and employability of young people.

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Meeting with European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel to discuss StartUp Europe Awards, GIRLS4TECH challenge LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0

  • Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, welcomed Finnova at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels
  • Juanma Revuelta, CEO of Finnova, took advantage of the meeting to present open innovation tools to contribute to rural development
  • The meeting also explained examples for implementing innovation in rural development: GIRLS4TECH methodology, LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 challenges

02.22.2023, Brussels. Yesterday, Tuesday 21 February, Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner for Innovation, Culture, Education and Youth, received a Finnova delegation at Berlaymont, the headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels. The Commissioner was accompanied by Isidro Laso, an expert from Gabriel’s Cabinet, in a meeting in which open innovation tools to contribute to rural development were presented, the Startup Europe Awards were discussed and also European projects in which the Foundation is actively collaborating.

The meeting began with a presentation by Juanma Revuelta, CEO of Finnova, on the Startup Europe Awards (SEUA) open innovation methodology of public-private partnership, an initiative promoted by Mariya Gabriel herself since 2016 and implemented by the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with Startup Europe to identify disruptive and innovative startups in line with the SDGs.

After this presentation, the need to create innovative European projects in rural areas, as well as LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 CHALLENGE.

The alternative to organic waste

Following with other projects that have become success stories for Finnova by using the same Startup Europe methodology and public-private partnership, we talked about LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0, an innovative project that uses digital tools and offers an alternative for organic waste in landfills. This technology makes it possible to control and automate the digesters of wastewater treatment plants to make biogas a reliable and green energy source that can meet the energy demand.

Women’s entrepreneurship and the promotion of STEM careers in schools

In fact, LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 inspired one of the GIRLS4TECH and TECHNOVATION GIRLS projects in schools. Lola Bordás, president of Fundadoras and director of women’s entrepreneurship projects at Finnova, explained the importance of prioritising STEM careers in girls.

At this point, the Commissioner learned first-hand about an example of a school, where three girls created COMEN 2.0, a good practice with scientific impact in the school environment that was selected to be presented in the Horizon Europe programme and won the Finnova Challenges – Technovation Girls 2021 award. In the framework of the LIFE ECODIGESTION 2.0 project, an app was created by the girls from the Abecé school in Gandía, which put hotels and restaurants in contact with wastewater treatment plants for the reuse of organic waste. The prizes were awarded by the Minister of Science and Innovation Diana Morant, together with the General Director for Research and Innovation of the European Commission Jean-Eric Paquet.

Through this enriching project exchange meeting at the European Commission, Mariya Gabriel thanked all those women’s projects of the Finnova Foundation that help to make female talent and entrepreneurship visible because, she said, “we have to support each other”.

 

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Massimiliano Dragoni talks about European funds and the Res4City project at the London Proptech Show.

  • Real estate technology expert Massimiliano Dragoni recently participated in the London Proptech Show, one of the most important events in the real estate technology industry in Europe.
  • The event took place at the ExCel London Exhibition Centre from 15-16 February 2023 and brought together a large number of real estate technology professionals and experts.

Massimiliano Dragoni, who has been working at the European Commission for more than 25 years on policy formulation and implementation of single market programs, spoke last week at the London Proptech Show, one of the most important events in the European real estate technology industry.  Dragoni, spoke about European funding and the RES4CITY project.

During his speech, Dragoni highlighted some of the challenges facing the industry and how technology can help to overcome them. He also explained the European Res4City project, funded through the Horizon Europe Program, which aims to enhance the development of sustainable renewable energy and fuel technologies in cities by promoting sustainability and deploying an educational Program.

His presentation was followed by a short discussion on the industry and emerging technology trends.

Dragoni’s participation at the London Proptech Show was a great success and his talk was warmly received by the attendees. His experience and expertise in real estate technology is a valuable contribution to the industry and he will undoubtedly continue to be a reference in the implementation of innovative technology solutions in the real estate sector.

The green transition

RES4CITY is a new innovative educational project, with a budget of 2.5 million euros, fully funded by the European Commission through the Horizon Europe Program. Juan Viesca, Director of European Funds at Finnova, explained at the launch meeting that this initiative “aims to address the skills shortage in the EU in the renewable energy sector” through a set of educational programs and tools that enable students to develop skills in renewable energy systems, fuel technologies and sustainability.

About RES4CITY

RES4CITY is an innovative European educational project 100% funded by the European Commission through the Horizon Europe Program. Its main objective is to bridge the skills gap that is slowing down our transition to sustainable energy. It 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. RES4CITY aims to ensure that education systems are at the heart of the ecological transition. The team will co-design a set of micro-master programs aimed at Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) graduates and non-STEM graduates, as well as professionals seeking retraining in a wide variety of sectors and career paths. These micro-masters will respond to the needs and priorities of companies, public institutions and citizens.

About London Proptech Show

The London Proptech Show, held 15-16 February 2023 at the Business Design Centre, is the UK’s leading real estate technology exhibition and conference, serving as the industry’s professional meeting point with a line-up of world-class speakers from across the value chain, including governments, investors, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, real estate agents, technology providers, logistics companies, startups and other key players from around the world.

In addition to the exhibition, the London Proptech Show also featured the most extensive conference in the real estate technology sector, offering exclusive startup pitch programs, investment sessions, multi-disciplinary panels and Q&A sessions.

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