As GIMED is coming to an end, project partners met in Alexandria, Egypt on 17 and 18 July 2023 for the GIMED Closing Ceremony and the final Steering Committee. The event was the occasion to review the project’s impact and success, while evidencing the gaps and way forward for green entrepreneurship in the Mediterranean.

The Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, as well as the European Union Ambassador, Christian Berger, attended the event which was hosted and organised by  Alexandria Business Association.

From 2019 to 2023, GIMED has provided training and coaching to 450 entrepreneurs across its partner countries: Egypt, Lebanon, Italy, Palestine, Spain and Tunisia. The project also provided direct support to 28 start-ups and contributed to the creation of more than 80 jobs in the green and circular economy sector.

Watch the video to learn more about GIMED’s impact

During the event, Minister Dr. Rania Al-Mashat extended her thanks to all the partners and emphasized the importance of Egypt's participation in the upcoming phase of the ENI CBC Med program. Ambassador Christian Berger emphasized the significance of entrepreneurs' involvement in raising consumer awareness and offering them cost-effective green solutions and products.

The closure ceremony provided an opportunity to celebrate the program's achievements but also to understand the challenges of green innovation and entrepreneurship in Mediterranean countries. In fact, entrepreneurs whom participated in GIMED activities shared their experiences to the audience. In the following panel, experts and project partners gave their take on the key success factors of green innovation programs in the region. Finally, panellists and participants had an open discussion on financing options in the green and circular economy.

While the project in itself is ending, all six partners are committed to keep working towards a greener Mediterranean future.

See the Closing Ceremony agenda