Category: Seua

• The event is part of the European project FU-TOURISM, funded with 4 million euros, in which Finnova is a partner.

• The Finnova Foundation is organising this workshop as a side event at Transfiere on Thursday 21 March from 11.30am to 1.30pm.

• This workshop is part of the Startup Europe Week SEW, an initiative in which Finnova participates as co-organiser.

• Those interested in attending can register at this link: https://bit.ly/WORKSHOPESPAÑA

The Transfiere Forum, which will be held in FYCMA from 20 to 22 March, will host the event “FU-TOURISM STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP: €4M for Sustainable Innovation and Green Entrepreneurship in the Spanish tourism ecosystem” on Thursday 21 March from 11:30 to 13:30. Organised by the Finnova Foundation, the event is part of the European project FU-TOURISM and will bring together experts and stakeholders from the Spanish tourism sector to address the future of a sector in the midst of a race towards innovation, and the double green and digital transition.

The workshop aims to explore the potential and challenges of the Spanish tourism sector, sharing best practices focused on sustainability and digitisation of the ecosystem. It will be a hybrid webinar, broadcast from the TRANSFIERE fair in FYCMA, Malaga, with the participation of speakers and attendees in person and online.  Speakers will share their projects and best practices on digitalisation and/or sustainability in tourism, highlighting the potentials and challenges they face. The presentations will be followed by a round table that will allow all the speakers to generate a dialogue on the challenges of sustainability and digitisation from different tourism sectors.

This event is also part of Startup Europe Week (SEW), an initiative in which Finnova participates as co-organiser, which is present in more than 300 cities in almost 50 countries and is the largest regional entrepreneurship event in the world. 

Support ecosystem for tourism SMEs

The workshop is part of the European project FU-TOURISM, which supports European tourism SMEs in their transition towards a green, digital and inclusive economy, with a focus on the application of the principles of the regenerative economy.

Funded with €4 million by the COSME programme and with a duration of 36 months (2023-2026), the European project FU-TOURISM is led by EUPOLIS Group and integrated by a partnership of eight entities from Croatia, Belgium, Spain, Greece, Austria, Poland and Italy.

The Finnova Foundation, partner of the project, leads the transferability, replication and communication of the project at European level, taking into account the innovation processes implemented through Startup Europe Awards (SEUA), a methodology promoted by Startup Europe and with the institutional support of the European Commission.

The SEUAs are a tool for identifying disruptive SMEs and startups that promotes public-private collaboration and raises awareness of the importance of self-entrepreneurship as a driver of employment. It also generates alliances that help to meet the United Nations SDGs and the actions of the European Green Pact, thus contributing to the challenges of the tourism sector. FU-TOURISM will develop a support ecosystem for tourism SMEs, promoting greater cooperation in innovation between these companies and the sector’s incubators and accelerators. To this end, it will launch an acceleration programme 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, digitalisation, inclusive business models and direct financial support. During the acceleration programme, 10 SMEs from each country will be selected in a transparent and open way to receive a 5-month support and a grant of 20,000 euros each. In addition, the Scaling Up programme will select 42 SME consortia (7 per country) to receive a grant of €30,000 each and related business support.

“One of the objectives of the programme is to try to ensure that the accelerated SMEs can access European funds through programmes such as Interreg, LIFE, Digital Europe and Horizon so that their project can count on additional funding of up to 2 million euros through these programmes”, says Juan Manuel Revuelta, CEO of Finnova, from Brussels. Revuelta also recalls that TRANSFIERE, in Malaga, “is an ideal place to identify DMOs and technology transfer entities that can join the project as partners or participants and include the know-how of this project”. “There are many European funds available at the moment and you just have to know how to use them and present a project in due time and form,” he concludes.

TOURISM SME TRANSITION LIVING LABS

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 heart of the tourism ecosystem, adopting a multi-stakeholder approach that takes into account the wider needs of the destination, visitors and local citizens. “This objective of living labs is strategic as it seeks to generate local actions that can be replicated and have an impact at European and global level,” Revuelta stresses.

For more information, please contact

Manuela Granada – Finnova’s Communication Department

manuela.granada@finnova.eu

• The Finnova Foundation has organized a hybrid webinar to present the Accelerathon’s rules and the challenges of decarbonization in cities that participants will have to solve.  

• The registration period for the RES4CITY Startup Europe Accelerathon will remain open until Wednesday, March 6th, coinciding with the last day of WEX Global.

21/02/2024, Brussels. Finnova Foundation presented yesterday, Tuesday 20th February at the European Parliament in Brussels (Belgium) the RES4CITY STARTUP EUROPE ACCELERATHON, an initiative that is part of the European project RES4CITY. Finnova, as a partner of the project and leader of the Accelerathon, was in charge of detailing the bases of the Accelerathon and the challenges to which the participants will have to respond. The webinar was held as part of the event “Innovate4Change: Transforming Societal Challenges through Social Entrepreneurship”, organized by the European project LADESE, under the invitation of MEP Eleni Stavrou.

The CEO of Finnova Foundation, Juanma Revuelta, explained the objectives of RES4CITY Startup Europe Accelerathon, an open innovation methodology designed to promote ideas related to sustainability and circularity in urban environments and where other entities are invited to collaborate with the development. “Sustainability, water and waste management, renewable energies and the fight against climate change are one of Finnova’s big bets, which are reflected in Next Water Generation, the foundation’s initiative to spread information on water management and protection, and in its participation in several European projects focused on these issues,” Revuelta explained. The foundation’s CEO encouraged entries for this competition, which seeks innovative ideas to boost energy efficiency. “The deadline to participate is March 6 and will coincide with our presence at Wex Global, one of the most important events in the international water and energy sector,” he said.

The Accelerathon revolves around four challenges to which participants must offer solutions that are in line with the values of sustainability and circularity projected by RES4CITY. The Foundation’s European projects and sustainable cities manager, Patricia Tejada, and the European projects assistant, Laura Velasco, presented the challenges and the different stages of the Accelerathon. These are the challenges of the RES4CITY Startup Europe Accelerathon:  

• The first challenge, “Optimizing electric vehicle charging efficiency through smart energy solutions”, is looking for smart energy storage proposals to optimize energy flow, ensuring efficient and cost-effective charging of electric vehicles, reducing grid stress during peak demand and stabilizing the power grid and integration of existing infrastructure. In addition, it will also consider ideas that integrate information and communication technology to improve renewable energy efficiency, and those that propose solutions to establish a legal framework that accelerates the adoption of more efficient energy mobility practices. The selected participants with the best ideas will be presented at the S-MOVING fair to be held on September 20 and 21 in Malaga (FYCMA).
• The second challenge, “Achieving efficient soil and land management by changing business operations in line with circular economy principles” calls for alternatives that address efficient soil and land management by changing operations in line with circular economy principles. In addition, it will also value those ideas that include the revaluation of household organic waste to generate compost for the creation of vertical gardens.

• The third challenge, “Designing green hydrogen production projects”, focuses on the design of well thought-out green hydrogen production projects that adequately manage impacts on water supply and soil use. 

• The fourth challenge, “Revaluation of greywater in the urban environment”. The citizen challenge is to convert wastewater – rainwater, air-conditioning, shower, washing machine and dishwasher water from domestic use to save water in drought by reusing it for toilets, watering gardens and urban orchards, or street sweeping. The solutions will mitigate the impact of climate change by saving drinking water and water purification processes.

The selected ideas will be presented at the Greencities fair to be held on September 20 and 21 in Malaga (FYCMA). Participants will be able to attend specialized forums on the current challenges of the urban environment and will be eligible for a grant of 2 million euros from the EU. 

Stages of the RES4CITY STARTUP EUROPE ACCELERATHON 

Those interested with innovative ideas related to the above-mentioned challenges can register for the Accelerathon until Wednesday, March 6 at 23:00 (CET), coinciding with the last day of the WEX Global event, which will bring together multiple projects and stakeholders advocating for sustainable water management. Registration can be done through this link.. 

Once the registration period is closed, the Accelerathon groups will be created during the month of March and the competition will take place between April and June. Participants will have access to the RES4CITY community’s network of contacts and develop ideas that can have an impact in the field of urban greening. In July, a semi-final will be held to select the best developing ideas. The award ceremony will take place between October 9 and 12, during the European Week of Regions and Cities. The winner will receive a European Acceleration Ticket, allowing them to access funds from various European programs to materialize their project.

About the RES4CITY project 

RES4CITY is a project funded by the European Commission through the Horizon Europe Program, with a duration of 36 months and a budget of 2.5 million euros. It aims to promote the development of renewable energy and sustainable fuel technologies in urban environments, through collaboration with stakeholders and the promotion of sustainability and circular economy. 

About the Finnova Foundation 

Finnova is a Spanish-Belgian non-profit foundation based in Brussels, which focuses on promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in the European Union. The foundation works in collaboration with various organizations and partners in the member countries to communicate and spread European projects. In addition, it offers support to start-ups and businesses through programs such as accelerators and incubators, and selection and award ceremonial events.

• The registration period will remain open until Wednesday, March 6
• The European Parliament headquarters in Brussels will host, on Tuesday, February 20, a hybrid webinar to present the Accelerathon and answer questions about it
• A new challenge that will be launched, focus on the reuse of domestic wastewater

13/02/2024, Brussels. The European RES4CITY project announces new developments regarding the RES4CITY STARTUP EUROPE ACCELERATHON, the acceleration program that seeks to boost ideas related to sustainability and circularity in urban environments. The Accelerathon is framed within the RES4CITY project, which offers inclusive opportunities for all students to develop skills in renewable energy systems, fuel technologies and sustainability. 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. These changes were announced at the 5th Mediterranean Water Forum, which brought together more than 1,000 people in Tunis.

March 6, new deadline for registration

The first of the changes is the extension of the registration deadline to participate in the RES4CITY STARTUP EUROPE ACCELERATHON, which will be extended for three more weeks, until Wednesday, March 6th. This date will coincide with the participation of the Finnova Foundation in the WEX Global event, which will bring together multiple projects and stakeholders advocating for sustainable water management. The Foundation will take advantage of its participation to present the accelerator and recruit interested parties who want to be part of it.

February 20, hybrid webinar

Two weeks before the call closes, on Tuesday 20 February at 12:40 pm (CET), a hybrid webinar (face-to-face and online) will be held at the headquarters of the European Parliament in Brussels (Belgium) to present the Accelerathon and resolve any doubts that may arise. The webinar will be part of the event “Innovate4Change: Transforming Societal Challenges through Social Entrepreneurship, organized by the European project LADESE. Anyone interested in attending or following the webinar can sign up through this link.

New challenge: reuse of greywater

Finally, the RES4CITY STARTUP EUROPE ACCELERATHON opens its range of challenges and includes a fourth one related to the reuse of domestic wastewater, also known as gray water. The challenge lies precisely in developing innovative ideas that optimize the reuse of this water as it can be used in activities such as watering gardens or flushing toilets. The aim of this initiative is not only to mitigate the effect of climate change processes such as the impact of heat waves, but also to highlight the environmental benefits of taking advantage of these treated water resources.

Four challenges to find green solutions for smart cities

This fourth challenge is in addition to the three challenges that were already announced: optimizing electric vehicle charging efficiency through smart energy solutions; achieving efficient land and soil management by changing business operations in line with circular economy principles; and designing green hydrogen production projects.

The first challenge, “Optimizing electric vehicle charging efficiency through smart energy solutions,” seeks smart energy storage proposals to optimize energy flow, ensuring efficient and cost-effective charging of EVs, reducing grid stress during peak demand, and stabilizing the power grid and integration of existing infrastructure. In addition, it will also consider ideas that integrate information and communication technology to improve renewable energy efficiency, and those that propose solutions to establish a legal framework that accelerates the adoption of more efficient energy mobility practices.

The second challenge, “Achieving efficient land and soil management by changing business operations in line with circular economy principles,” calls for alternatives that address efficient land and soil management by changing operations in line with circular economy principles. In addition, it will also value ideas that include the revaluation of organic waste and the creation of vertical gardens.

Finally, solutions to the third challenge, “Designing green hydrogen production projects, should focus on designing well-thought-out green hydrogen production projects that adequately manage impacts on water supply and land use.

What do you need to know about the RES4CITY STARTUP EUROPE ACCELERATHON?

The Accelerathon is an online competition designed to seek innovative solutions for ideas or projects that are transforming cities towards a more sustainable future. It is open to participants from all over the world: students, entrepreneurs, researchers, SMEs, start-ups, universities, public sector organizations and entities in general (registration can be individual or in groups of 3 to 5 people), who respond to one of the four challenges posed in the Accelerathon.

Participants will benefit from training focused on the use of European funds, access to the RES4CITY community network, and development of ideas that can have a global impact in the field of urban greening. The winner of the Accelerathon will be able to enjoy a European Acceleration Ticket, a prize that will allow him/her to apply for European funds from various programs (INTERREG, HORIZON, LIFE, PRIMA,…) to bring his/her idea to reality.

In case you want to know more about the Accelerathon, how it works, its challenges, and to access the registration form, you can click here to solve your doubts.

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.

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.

• The challenges encompass smart energy storage, efficient land management, and green hydrogen.

• Aimed at students, SMEs, entrepreneurs, researchers, startups, organizations, and entities in general, the call is open until February 15, 2024.

• Winners will benefit from a European Acceleration ticket, aiding them in accessing European funds.

• Registrations are open via: https://form.jotform.com/233112688186056I
Encouraging the development of innovative solutions to challenges related to renewable energies and fuel technologies in urban environments is the goal of the Res4City Startup Europe Awards Accelerathon, an initiative aimed at students, SMEs, entrepreneurs, researchers, startups, organizations, and entities in general, open until February 15, 2024.
The Accelerathon aims to find solutions and funding through an applied open innovation contest that brings together the circular economy sector and accelerates ideas and concepts related to clean energies in cities, integrating circularity as well.
Open to participants worldwide
The RES4CITY Startup Europe Accelerathon is open to participants worldwide: students, entrepreneurs, researchers, startups, universities, public sector organizations, and entities in general (both public and private), provided they have an idea, proposal, or project on one of the proposed challenges. Participation in the Accelerathon can be individual or in teams of 3 to 5 people. It should be noted that those accepted as individual participants may be assigned to a team.
Eligible participants must be proficient in English, as this will be the working language of the RES4CITY Startup Europe Accelerathon. Additionally, participants should be aware that the Accelerathon will take place online, so they will need a computer and internet connection to participate.
Three challenges
The RES4CITY Startup Europe Accelerathon seeks ideas, projects, or proposals that provide solutions to the following challenges:
Challenge 1: Use smart energy storage to improve the availability and reliability of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Studies have shown that the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) will result in a 25% increase in electricity demand compared to current levels by 2040. As the vehicle fleet electrifies, one of the main challenges is the availability and reliability of charging infrastructure. This is where smart energy storage solutions come into play to revolutionize EV charging. Solutions for this challenge focus on intelligent energy storage proposals to optimize energy flow, ensure efficient and cost-effective EV charging, reduce grid stress during demand peaks, and stabilize the electric grid and 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.
Soil degradation costs an estimated 36 million euros annually worldwide, not accounting for the hidden costs of increased fertilizer use, loss of biodiversity, and unique landscapes. Returning biological material to the soil will reduce the need to replenish it with additional nutrients. Solutions needed for this challenge focus on alternatives that address efficient land and soil management by changing operations in line with circular economy principles.
Challenge 3: Design green hydrogen production projects.
Green hydrogen produced from renewable energies is considered one of the promising solutions to achieve Net Zero plans. However, green hydrogen projects require significant amounts of renewable energy and water as inputs for electrolyzers, likely putting pressure on land allocation for hydrogen production and water supply. Solutions to this challenge should focus on designing well-thought-out green hydrogen production projects that properly manage impacts on water supply and land use.
European acceleration ticket
The Finnova Foundation, as a partner of the RES4CITY consortium, leads a Startup Europe methodology for accelerating innovative projects to be used in the RES4CITY Startup Europe Accelerathon. An online competition methodology is established with training, mentors, juries, and a European Acceleration Ticket, consisting of a prize offered to winning teams to aid them in accessing European funds. In this case, the Finnova Foundation will advise the three winning teams to turn their proposals into an eligible pilot program for funding. They will also could attend events related to the theme of their idea to gain visibility and meet other stakeholders. Additionally, all participants of the RES4CITY Startup Europe Accelerathon will have access to the Finnova European Funds online platform, providing information on various EU funding programs.
Roadmap
• Registration: until February 15, 2024
• Information Session: January 2024
• Team Formation: February 2024 to March 2024
• Competition: March 2024 to June 2024
• Semifinal: June 2024
• Grand Final: October 2024 (in-person event in Brussels)
If you believe you have innovative ideas related to the challenges presented, you can register for the RES4CITY Startup Europe Accelerathon via 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. Its goal is to promote the development of sustainable renewable energies and fuel technologies in cities by jointly designing an innovative educational program with stakeholders and promoting sustainability and circularity, bridging knowledge and skills gaps for a successful energy transition.

• The Finnova Foundation has once again shown its commitment to tolerance, diversity and inclusion
• The DESTINE MOOC online platform will remain available for all those interested in accessing its contents

11/12/2023, Brussels. The Erasmus + DESTINE project concludes after two years of existence. During this time, the partners of this European project, including Finnova Foundation, have collaborated to preserve values such as tolerance, diversity and inclusion in virtual classroom spaces. This ambitious initiative comes to an end after the successful launch of the open online platform DESTINE MOOC, the spearhead of this transnational initiative.

The Finnova Foundation welcomes the success of DESTINE and the launch of this platform, oriented to Personal Development professionals and teachers. With this initiative, Finnova Foundation positions itself as an entity committed to the preservation of tolerance, diversity and inclusion, having jointly developed this tool that will allow professionals to more efficiently implement these values in virtual classrooms. In addition, Finnova reminds that this platform is open to anyone interested in the project’s subject matter, and will continue to operate despite the end of DESTINE.

Promoting inclusion and diversity

Since its launch in 2021, the main objective of the DESTINE project has been to address the challenge of raising the issues of inclusion, diversity and tolerance in the online and distance learning environment. The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst for many changes globally, bringing the digital transition to the forefront. This transition has driven other processes already underway, such as shifts in global economic power, accelerating urbanization and demographic changes, and has aligned with the process of strengthening values such as inclusion and diversity at all levels.

Taking into account the confluence of all these phenomena, the project identified one point to accomplish: the promotion of inclusion and diversity through the development of vocational teachers’ skills and competencies applied to e-learning. In addition, DESTINE also targets vocational training students, and in particular students with fewer opportunities, who need a diversity-friendly learning environment.

DESTINE MOOC, the spearhead of DESTINE

The work carried out over the past two years has resulted in the creation of a platform with courses available in several languages: DESTINE MOOC. It is an online learning platform that contains material focused on tolerance and diversity methods applied in traditional classrooms and their transition to the online classroom environment. In addition, toolkits containing all the material developed in relation to diversity tolerance methods and techniques in the virtual classroom can also be found on the platform.

DESTINE MOOC is available in 6 languages (English, French, Spanish, German, Greek and Romanian) and is divided into 7 modules. The modules are presented as a virtual classroom to enable and empower vocational training professionals (teachers, trainers, educators, other key actors) to promote diversity, tolerance and thus inclusion within an online and distance learning environment.

At the end of each e-module, there is a questionnaire that can be completed to test the knowledge acquired after each module. Teachers can share the quizzes with their students to test their knowledge on these topics, before introducing the blended learning activities in the classroom, in order to further develop students’ knowledge and skills in relation to diversity and tolerance.

The first consists of an introductory module on diversity, tolerance and equity and their importance in fostering a safe, inclusive and democratic society. The second, “Diversity and Tolerance in the Classroom,” explains the various aspects of student diversity, highlighting the benefits of a tolerant and diverse learning environment. Next, the third module, entitled “Exploring Ourselves and Others,” examines perceptions of ourselves and the ways in which we see “others” and how others see us, focusing on the role of stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination.

The fourth module, “The Inclusive Educator,” outlines the characteristics and behaviors of teachers and educators who are considered inclusive, encouraging students from diverse backgrounds to achieve their personal best. Next, “Teaching and Learning: From Traditional to Blended and Online Courses” examines the pros and cons of the proliferation of technology in education (VET), helping tutors view digital literacies, e-learning platforms and digital tools as “friends.”

The sixth lesson, “Searching, Presenting, and Sharing Knowledge Online,” outlines strategies and tools on creating digital content in a diverse classroom. And finally, the last module, “Using Digital Tools to Engage in Learning and Assess Outcomes,” presents strategies for engaging students and assessing online courses, helping educators critically reflect on assessment processes in a diversified learning environment.

All modules include a video focused on each module, all embedded in a Video Library also available on the platform. In addition, the DESTINE MOOC features a Student Activities Manual, which presents student activities that have been developed to be delivered in hybrid/blended or face-to-face learning, in order to actively engage students in the process of learning about diversity and inclusion in education, and in supporting more inclusive and diverse educational environments.

The DESTINE partners (Osengo, Symplexis, AKMI, BK Consult, Future in perspective, Centrul pentru promovarea invitarii permanente & Fundación Finnova) close the project proud of the creation of this open platform that will allow to fulfill the objective of this Erasmus + project: the preservation of tolerance, diversity and inclusion in virtual classrooms.

About DESTINE

The Erasmus + project DESTINE (DivErSity and Tolerance IN E-Environment) was born with the aim of promoting an online professional 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. DESTINE focuses especially on those vocational training students who need a 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.

• The projects of the EU COSME programme were present at the event “Next4Fashion, Unlocking New Sustainable Pathways”.
• Laura Velasco, project coordinator at the Finnova Foundation, presented the Circular Innobooster project.

6/12/2023 Brussels. The event “Next4Fashion, Unlocking New Sustainable Pathways”, organised by the S4Fashion consortium with the support of the Circular Innobooster, Fashion for Change and Small but Perfect projects of the COSME programme of the European Union, was held in Brussels on Wednesday 6 December.

“Next4Fashion, Unlocking New Sustainable Pathways” brought together experts in fashion, policy making, sustainability, business, culture, innovation and emerging sustainable and circular fashion initiatives. The event provided insight into the integration of circularity and sustainability principles into policies, sectors and innovation funding schemes within the fashion industry.

The day started with a welcome from Teresa Moroder, founder of Lottozero Creative Hub; Cecilia Nilsson-Bottka, DG GROW responsible for policy and legal affairs at the European Commission; and Igor Kalinic Head of Sector EISMEA (European Innovation Council and SME Executive Agency), which brings together in one agency all activities of the European Innovation Council (EIC) and programmes related to small and medium-sized enterprises.

After the introduction, the results and knowledge gained during the 3-year life cycle of the four COSME projects were presented. Anais Roussou S4Fashion project coordinator of the European Creative Hubs Network, Michael Laermann, communications leader of the Fashion for Change project of Ecopreneur, Laura Velasco Circular Innobooster project coordinator of the Finnova Foundation and Eleni Mavrogeni Small But Perfect Fashion Revolution Greece project coordinator were in charge of presenting the respective projects.

The day continued with a panel discussion on European support programmes for sustainable fashion. A panel of experts analysed the successes and choices of past initiatives and discussed the necessary evolution of the sector and the integration of certain knowledge into future support structures.

EISMEA Circular Fashion Accelerators

As part of the event programme, the EISMEA Circular Fashion Accelerators acted as partners to fashion startups and SMEs to help them develop sustainable fashion business ideas and explore ways to launch and expand to new countries. Projects such as Cloto Circular, Loop Look and Junkle, which are part of the S4Fashion project, participated in the panel discussion to share their experience and learning throughout their entrepreneurial journey.

The event concluded with a guided policy dialogue with the aim of critically examining fashion challenges and proposing innovative and sustainable policy solutions. A comprehensive understanding of the issues, existing frameworks and possible solutions towards a sustainable future was sought.

About S4fashion

S4Fashion, a project co-funded by the European Union’s COSME programme, is enabling small and medium-sized enterprises to introduce new circular economy and sustainable products, services, methods, tools and business models for the fashion industry.

One of the main objectives is to identify and scale up the best and most up-to-date practices for a greener fashion sector, as well as to support, connect and empower 25 transnational partnerships to work collaboratively for the creation of sustainability solutions for the fashion industry. The 25 successful pilot projects will benefit from a customised programme including mentoring, networking opportunities and financial support.

Since 2021 S4Fashion has focused on the task of empowering small and medium-sized enterprises to introduce new products, services, methods, tools and business models of circular and sustainable economy for the fashion industry. One of the main objectives it has promoted during these three years has been to identify and scale up the best and most up-to-date practices for a greener fashion sector. For three years S4Fashion has been promoting sustainable practices in fashion, overseen by the European Innovation Council and the SME Executive Agency (EISMEA) on behalf of the European Commission.

S4Fashion’s vision is to influence the European fashion community to change perspectives and redefine the fashion sector by responding to the needs of our time for ethical, inclusive and responsible production and consumption.

About Circular InnoBooster

Circular InnoBooster Fashion and Textile (F&T) is a project funded by the European Union’s Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Programme (COSME).

The Circular InnoBooster project aims to transform companies in the textile and fashion industry into sustainable, circular and regenerative enterprises. With a duration of 2 years, it has a budget of 1,128,000 euros, 75% co-financed by the European Commission. The project is composed of an international consortium led by the European Institute of Design (IED), together with Texfor, Circulab, Finnova and The Circular Project with HumanNation.

About COSME

COSME is the Competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises programme of the European Commission’s Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME). Through this programme, assistance is provided to SMEs to help them develop their business models, access finance and internationalise. It also supports public administrations in improving the business environment and facilitating economic growth in the European Union. During the 2014-2020 funding period, this programme earmarked €2.3 billion to support SMEs.

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 for European projects is combined with a 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.

One of the areas in which the Foundation is heavily involved is the textile sector, the second most polluting industry in the world. For this reason, it has launched the Next Textile Generation platform, which aims to give visibility to and promote innovative ideas on sustainable practices in fashion and textiles. Through this platform, Finnova disseminates relevant information related to the industry with information on other European projects.

• The institutional and business visit takes place within the framework of the European project 100 WOMEN PLUS, co-financed by the Erasmus+ programme.
• A total of 11 female entrepreneurs and managers accompanied by María del Carmen Alonso, CEO of IT Accessibility and New Technologies.

Next Tuesday 28th and Wednesday 29th November, the 100 Women Plus EU Brussels Visitors Programme will be held in the heart of the European Union.

This meeting organised by the Finnova Foundation (EU) and the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, with the support of PROEXCA is focused on a training activity and exchange of experiences aimed at businesswomen and women entrepreneurs of Fuerteventura in the framework of the European project 100 Women Plus, co-financed by the Erasmus+ programme.

A total of 11 businesswomen and female managers from Fuerteventura, accompanied by María del Carmen Alonso Saavedra, Island Councillor for Accessibility, IT, new technologies, planning and strategic projects of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, will attend this conference, which will combine experience exchange sessions and institutional visits.

100 Women Plus EU BRUSSELS VISITORS PROGRAMME aims to bring female entrepreneurs and managers from Fuerteventura closer to the European institutions and the functioning of the Union, in particular to funding opportunities. The visit aims, therefore, to strengthen the ecosystem of women entrepreneurs by promoting ways of participation and collaboration.

Among the activities that will take place during these two days are a meeting at the Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations (CEOE) with Isabel Yglesias, head of European affairs and CEOE’s permanent delegate to the European Union; and a visit to the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), an EU consultative body made up of representatives of workers’ and employers’ organisations and other interest groups.

About the 100 Women Plus project

100 Women Plus: Cooperation and understanding to promote women’s entrepreneurship and leadership, co-funded by the EU Erasmus+ programme and led by Finnova, in collaboration with the Cabildo de Fuerteventura and the Fundadoras Association, is a project in favour of cooperation and understanding to promote women’s entrepreneurship and leadership.

100 Women Plus, which has been designed to improve the channels of collaboration and dialogue, proposes a series of learning activities, exchange of experiences and transfer of results that will contribute to establish new mechanisms for female participation, strengthen the ecosystem of women entrepreneurs in the participating countries and create networks and generate alliances between institutions.

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 the management of communication and dissemination activities of European projects is combined with a 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.

• 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.