INNOBIOVC – Innovation Express for Circular Bioeconomy Value Chains

Funded by: Interreg Alpine Space, co-funded by European Union

Total eligible costs: 520.675 EUR; ERDF grants: 390.506 EUR

Project duration: 18 months

Circular bioeconomy value chains (CB-VC) are becoming more prevalent but are challenging to support due to their cross-regional nature. Typically, the circular input material is generated in one region, while manufacturing or processing takes place in another. As a result, clusters and regional agencies have limited insight into viable models and opportunities for CB-VCs, and financial institutions lack an overview of new circular value chains. INNOBIOVC addresses these issues by rolling out the Innovation Express Call Scheme (IECS) for CB-VCs in a transnational network of six Alpine regions and five countries.

The project will implement the IECS approach in regions that are interested in jointly supporting CB-VCs. It addresses previous bottlenecks like the challenge of finding appropriate partners for mutual product or solution development using the Value Chain Generator (VCG.AI). The project will also develop a sustainability assessment tool (SAT) to measure sustainability gains in functioning CB-VCs, empowering funding agencies, program owners, and investors to better measure sustainability gains induced by funding programs and investments.

The project has four main activities:

  1. Analyzing the current state of sustainability measurement approaches within value chains and on the company level.
  2. Rolling out an improved IECS with a focus on cross-regional value chains, key resources, and sectors such as agriculture, food and beverages, chemistry, polymers, and energy.
  3. Adapting the VCG.AI for better partner matching and exploitation.
  4. Developing a sustainability assessment tool (SAT) to better quantify the social, economic, and ecological sustainability gains.

To achieve success, several regions need to bundle their competencies and capacities to jointly develop cooperation leading to the creation of new biocircular value chains (BC-VC). None of the regions or single project partners can cover all items needed to build a complete BC-VC, and business models or value chains are not bound by regional or international borders. Therefore, all three core items of INNOBIOVC (IECS, SAT, VCG.AI) will be offered transnationally to all interested entities to ensure that the best possible partners will match. This approach will generate relevant new products and solutions through INNOBIOVC, leading to the establishment of new BC-VCs that are expected to grow substantially. These new BC-VCs will play a significant role in promoting a carbon-neutral and resource-sensitive Alpine Space.

Partners: Economic Development Agency Heilbronn Region (Lead partner), Business Upper Austria, Lombardy Green Chemistry Association, Chemistry Cluster Bavaria, and Anteja ECG

Project’s website: https://www.alpine-space.eu/project/innobiovc/

Mobility Platform Development in Tunisia

Anteja is committed to sustaining economic progress in the MENA region and is expanding its efforts to Tunisia. This March, we launched the “Mobility Platform Development in Tunisia” project with an important focus on the sustainable development of the aviation and automotive industries. The project will achieve a number of objectives, but in particular it will focus on creating additional employment opportunities in the sectors concerned, promoting the growth and improvement of connected clusters and their ecosystems, and improving factors related to gender and diversity.

Anteja leads the project and the international team that wants to help both sectors transform into a competitive mobility industry. The project is executed by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. 

Project duration: March 2023 – March 2024

The client: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

AgriTrace platform for generating and managing green value chains

Funder: The European Union – NextGenerationEU and is part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, funded by the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism within the framework of European funds.

Duration: 2022 – 2024

Budget: Total value of the project is 499,549.42 euros, and the value of EU funding is 299,729.63 euros.

The AgriTrace platform for generation and management of green value chains is the first solution on the market that will address the control and management of the entire product life cycle, and not just the supply chain. It will enable transparent capture, monitoring and reporting of environmental (and social) impacts in all processes along the value chain. The AgriTrace platform will be based on the latest technology, like cloud processing, blockchain and smart contracts, Internet of Things – and techniques to adapt to the number of processes and stakeholders in the chain, allowing it to be used for a wide range of use cases in different industries.

Platforma AgriTrace za generiranje in upravljanje zelenih vrednostnih verig

Platforma AgriTrace za generiranje in upravljanje zelenih vrednostnih verig je prva rešitev na trgu, ki bo naslovila nadzor in upravljanje celotnega življenjskega cikla produktov, in ne zgolj dobavne verige. Omogočala bo transparenten zajem, spremljanje ter poročanje okoljskih (in socialnih) vplivov v vseh procesih vzdolž verige vrednosti. Platforma AgriTrace bo temeljila na najnovejši tehnologiji – procesiranje na robu, v megli in v oblaku, blockchain in pametne pogodbe, Internet stvari – in tehnikah za prilagajanje številu procesov in deležnikov v verigi, kar bo omogočalo njeno uporabo za širok spekter uporabniških primerov v različnih industrijah.

Improving Egyptian industrial innovation system

The objective of the project is to facilitate the improvement of the industrial innovation system in Egypt, leading to increased competitiveness and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the industrial sector, and promoting their presence in local and global markets while creating sustainable employment opportunities. Anteja ECG, under the leadership of the Egyptian Ministry of Trade and Industry and collaboration with the stakeholders from government, public and private sectors, academia, and non-governmental organizations, will develop an Action Plan aimed at enhancing innovation within the manufacturing sector. Anteja will support the task force in prioritizing measures from the Action Plan for prompt implementation and provide recommendations to the government for the advancement of Egypt’s innovation ecosystem over the next two years. To achieve these objectives, the project will organize a series of workshops to facilitate productive discussions among stakeholders.

Partner: Ministry of Trade and Industry of Egypt

Client: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

Date: November 2022 – June 2023

Enabling sustainable development in Kosovo as a potential for job creation and SME empowerment

The aim of the programme is to improve the employment opportunities of the Kosovar population and the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through sustainable development. 

As part of this programme, Anteja ECG conducted a series of Value Chain Mapping Analyses in the Kosovar key sectors. These Value Chain Mapping Reports were intended to provide deep insights into four key industrial sectors and recommendations for the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade (MIET) to design more tailor-made support schemes. Supported by the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, these support schemes aim to improve the overall competitiveness of the metal manufacturing, ICT, food and beverage as well as the chemical sector in Kosovo. More than 250 stakeholders were involved in these exercises by means of various interactive engagements. Anteja ECG was in charge of the design and implementation of the four value chain analyses.  

Partners: Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade (MIET), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD) of Republic of Kosovo

Client: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

Date: July 2021 – October  2021

EU Horizon RIS4DANU

Sustainable Smart Specialisation for the re-opening of industrial sites in the Danube Region

Funder: European Commission

Call for proposal: HORIZON-CL4-2021-RESILIENCE-01

Duration: 24 months (2022 – 2024)

Overall budget and funding source: EUR 1 million

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 101058457.

The goal of the RIS4DANU project is to elaborate strategic business development plans for the reopening of 21 disused industrial sites in the Danube Macro-Region, an area that stretches from the Black Forest to the Black Sea. The project aims to apply an evidence-based Smart Specialisation (S3) approach to support the transition to a green economy in regions along the Danube River. 

The project directly connects to the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR), a macro-regional strategy to address common economic and societal challenges and create synergies and coordination between existing policies and initiatives. Danube neighboring states share a proud and centuries-old history of manufacturing and industrial production, yet political upheavals, globalization and technological advancements have confronted many Danube regions with the challenges of structural transformation and have triggered the closing down of numerous industrial plants and sites. In many regions, plant closures and the associated displacement of workers caused severe socio-economic effects on workers, local communities and regions. 

At the heart of the RIS4DANU project is the goal of applying an evidence-based Smart Specialisation (S3) approach to support place-based innovation for green/digital and inclusive transitions in regions along the Danube River. This project ties in with current debates and requests to combine smart specialisation with considerations of socio-ecological challenges such as climate change, environmental issues and growing social and territorial inequality: Smart Specialisation Strategies for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth (S4+). We argue that the re-opening of old industrial sites shows the potential to build transformative resilience in less-favoured Danube regions. These sites could serve as innovation anchors, unleashing opportunities for the entire region to strengthen their capacity to develop innovative solutions to place-specific ecological, social and economic challenges. Project activities include cross-regional peer exchange and a transfer of knowledge along the Danube River.

Project’s website

EU Horizon CEE2ACT

Empowering Central and Eastern European countries to develop bioeconomy strategies and action plans


Funder: European Commission
Call for proposal: HORIZON-CL6-2021-Governance-01-10, Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action project
Duration: 36 months (1 September 2022 – 30 September 2025)
Overall budget and funding source: EUR 3.9 million
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 101060280.

The European Green Deal has set Europe on its path to become the first climate neutral continent by 2050. Achieving green transition must be just, fair and inclusive. One of the seven core pathways to deliver on climate neutrality is the bioeconomy. The 2018 updated EU bioeconomy strategy has highlighted the relevance of developing national bioeconomy strategies and action plans to deploy a sustainable and circular bioeconomy across Europe considering economic, social and environmental aspects. 

To date, there are still Member States, including many from Central and Eastern Europe that do not have a national bioeconomy strategy and action plan despite their high biomass resource base and new bioeconomy potential, although there are relevant regional initiatives to develop bioeconomy strategies. 

The objective of CEE2ACT is to empower countries in Central Eastern Europe (Hungary, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia) and beyond (Greece, Republic of Serbia) to develop circular bioeconomy strategies and action plans, through knowledge transfer and innovative governance models, to achieve better-informed decision-making processes, societal engagement, and innovation, building on the practice of experienced countries (Austria, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden). Knowledge transfer and inspiration in creative formats that address the motivations, needs and knowledge gaps of each CEE2ACT target country will be realized through the CEE2ACT National Bioeconomy Hubs. 

A bottom-up approach will be applied throughout the project activities, tackling specific knowledge gaps and shortcomings of the top-down conventional approach, building closer interconnections between actors across public institutions, private sector, industry, energy, SMEs, feedstock providers (e.g., waste, side streams, farmers, foresters, fishermen), academia and research, NGOs, CSOs in the target countries. 

To achieve this, a baseline assessment will be carried out, and stakeholder engagement activities will be implemented ensuring the active participation of all relevant stakeholders. Digital solutions for sustainable governance will be created, supporting the exchange of best practices on technology transfer, and building the capacities of the stakeholders to develop bottom-up bioeconomy strategies. 

Findings will be used and disseminated through practical tools, guidelines, and policy recommendations to support beneficiary countries to develop flexible and inclusive bioeconomy strategies and action plans, boosting societal engagement in the countries’ transition toward a circular bioeconomy. 

Coordinator: María Beatriz Rosell, Senior Project Manager, Geonardo Environmental Technologies Ltd., Email: maria.beatriz.rosell@geonardo.com
Media & Communications: Nathalie Bargues, Project Manager, Greenovate!Europe, Email: n.bargues@greenovate-europe.eu
Upcoming website: www.cee2act.eu
Social media channels: LinkedIn and Twitter

Digitalization of sales channels for promotion on the European and East African markets

Project duration: 01.02.2020 – 30.10.2020

Total eligible funding: 9.940,00 €

The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the fragility of the global trade networks and profoundly disrupted global value chains. Due to travel restrictions, many companies had to rely on their digital sales and communication channels to be able to maintain their business activities. At Anteja, a consultancy firm predominantly based on international trade, our daily business was significantly affected by the disruptions caused by the pandemic. The aim of this project was to implement new digital solutions to increase sales and gain new customers on the European and East African markets.

The project results are:

  1. Our promotional and educational video for our digital solution phy2app (video link) supports our clients using phy2app and has so far 250 views. It supports our sales activities and we use it to demonstrate the tool at webinars, conferences and client meetings. The video was shared more than 2000 times.
    With knowledge gained through the project, we have expanded the series of educational phy2app videos and have integrated them in our solution. They have so far reached more than 1500 views.
  2. Our Anteja Africa webpage helps us to generate new sales leads for phy2app, promotes our articles and our clients. So far, it has more than 25.000 views. Through the webpage we have gained interest from more than 200 potential clients and found 2 new project partners, with whom we have gained a significant sales increase. 

The operation has been selected for co-financing under the Call for proposals for co-financing digitisation of sales channels and presentation and marketing materials for promotion on foreign markets.

The investment is co-funded by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). 

https://www.eu-skladi.si/

E-business to support the creation of sustainable and transparent value chains between Europe and Africa

                              

Project duration: 27.09.2021 – 31.8.2022 

Total eligible funding: 30.000,00 €

The upcoming European Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive will require large EU companies to identify and prevent, eliminate or mitigate adverse impacts of their activities on human rights and environment in their entire global value chains. Within the project “E-business to support the creation of sustainable and transparent value chains between Europe and Africa” we aim to further digitalize our company, launch the phy2app platform and support EU businesses in the creation of sustainable and transparent value chains between Europe and Africa in light of the upcoming legislation.

The aim of the project is to upgrade our digitalisation processes in order to speed up the interactions with our international customers and partners and to elaborate a digital marketing and sales approach within the following activities:

  • electronic exchanges between partners
  • creation of digital marketing materials for trade fairs
  • website upgrades
  • product-sales video
  • competence training.

This project will enable us to offer highly competitive services to our existing customers, to expand our business in Europe in food, natural cosmetics and natural pharmaceutical sectors, to strengthen our presence in the African markets and increase our global reach. Some expected project results are:

  • a portal to enable login via secure connection
  • successful participation at the Biofach digital trade fair
  • improved website in German and English
  • product-sales video in English
  • increased skills of the management and staff.

The investment is co-funded by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). 

https://www.eu-skladi.si/

Developing circular economy in Rwanda as a potential for job creation

The aim of this project was to support private sector companies in their adoption of circular economy business opportunities in Rwanda for sustainable economic development and to stimulate job creation in Rwanda.

The project was commissioned in the context of two initiatives: Invest for Jobs and CE4A initiative.

The Invest for Jobs initiative was created by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), among other partners. It supports German, European and African companies who invest and expand their business activities in Africa. Offering advice, contacts, and financial support, the initiative aims to create 100,000 jobs and 30,000 training places in seven African countries, including Rwanda, to improve local working conditions and promote sustainable economic development.

To support circular economic development in Africa, Invest for Jobs co-initiated the Circular Economy for Africa e.V. (CE4A) initiative. CE4A is a demand-driven and results-oriented consortium of multi-stakeholder actors who share the aim of contributing to the global transition towards a circular economy through joint action in Africa. It focuses on the development of circular thinking, waste management and recycling, and the creation of sustainable, inclusive, quality, and green jobs.

Our tasks included:

  1. Creation of a report on the status and development of the circular economy in Rwanda.
  2. Development of 10 project ideas and 5 concrete project concept notes, indicating how Invest for Jobs can concretely support business or cluster opportunities in the circular economy for more and better jobs in Rwanda, through financing agreements or technical assistance measures. 
  3. Based on the most promising concept notes, development of two Terms of References and cost estimates for the tendering of circular economy support services by the GIZ Invest for Jobs programme. 

Client: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

Date: November 2021 – March 2022