Developing innovative solutions for Mediterranean smart cities: launching of the SME4SMARTCITIES project
CEEIM, the business innovation centre of the region of Murcia (Spain), has recently launched the Euro-Mediterranean initiative where experts in entrepreneurship from five countries will help a group of SMEs to position themselves with innovative solutions in the international market of smart cities.
The support will be provided within the EU-funded project "SMEs of the Mediterranean working together to make cities smarter" (SME4SMARTCITIES) which was presented by the Minister of Enterprise and Industry, Ana Martínez Vidal, in the event held on October 30th. `The participating technology companies will be placed in the global market with the value of having developed innovative and technological services or products in an emerging sector worldwide, such as smart cities. And even more, to do it through transnational business cooperation´, she said in the presentation.
The participating technology companies will be placed in the global market with the value of having developed innovative and technological services or products in an emerging sector worldwide, such as smart cities. And even more, to do it through transnational business cooperation.
During the event, a number of start-ups and innovative technology-based companies (EIBTs) from the region of Murcia were informed of new business opportunities in the framework of the transformation of cities into connected and sustainable smart cities at the economic, social and environmental level.
The SME4SMARTCITIES project is a great opportunity for the EIBTs of the Mediterranean region to get expert support in developing and marketing innovative services and products for smart cities at an international level.
In addition, a group of SMEs will be supported through an open call and receive up to 60,000€ in financial, support. The design pilot solutions will be eventually tested in Mediterranean cities.
SME4SMARTCITIES (http://www.enicbcmed.eu/projects/sme4smartcities) has a budget of 2.5 million euros and co-financed by the European Union, through the ENI CBC MED Programme, the largest initiative for the Cross-Border Cooperation in the Mediterranean implemented under the European Neighbourhood Instrument.
The project will take place over the next 3 years and allow cities to promote more intelligent, sustainable and efficient urban spaces for the people and the environment.