U-SOLVE
Photo by Daryan Shamkhali on Unsplash
Urban sustainable development SOLutions Valuing Entreprenership

About the project

The implementation of the United Nations ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ in urban areas is of crucial importance to make our cities sustainable, livable and resilient over the long term. Vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems can bring a valuable contribution in designing innovative solutions that have a positive impact against the negative effects of climate change. To ensure potential entrepreneurs, especially young people, can turn ideas into actual businesses, an enabling ecosystem, supported by public authorities, is needed. U-SOLVE intends to enhance support to young entrepreneurs in urban areas with focus on the environment and sustainable development. The project will create experimental pathways for place-based strategies, suitable for the Mediterranean countries, where the entrepreneurial energy is oriented towards sustainable and integrated territorial development.

Key information

U-SOLVE
Urban sustainable development SOLutions Valuing Entreprenership
A.1 Business and SMEs development
A.1.1 Start-ups and recently established enterprises
Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt

Financial data

3.5 million
Total budget
3.2 million
EU contribution
%
10%
Project co-financing

Highlights

Project in numbers

11
Partners
6
Countries
7
Technical outputs

Project duration

Start date
End date

Partnership

News

Events

Library

Deliverables

Documents

Videos

Objective

To create a model of urban development based on innovative entrepreneurship, addressing sustainable development challenges, boosting urban business ecosystems and creating jobs in emerging social and environmental markets

What will be improved?

U-SOLVE will establish a supporting process devoted to young and women innovative entrepreneurs with both local impact and high growth potential, to boost the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in urban contexts. The impact on income generation for start-ups will be substantial, with a minimum of 20 new business contracts signed. As a consequence, the project is expecting to generate at least 40 new jobs in the supported start-ups. Moreover, the network of urban hubs, to be generated by the project, will represent a powerful tool, at Mediterranean level, where local policy-makers, knowledge providers, development agencies, innovators and impact investors will act as a community for change, producing economic value within a sustainable development framework. Over a mid-long term perspective, the project will contribute to the shift to an integrated, impact-oriented approach to entrepreneurship, where the local and global dimensions of new business are connected to the sustainable development paradigm.

Who will benefit?

  • 420 young and women entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs
  • 30 start-ups operating in urban contexts
  • Local urban populations 
     

Expected achievements

  • 7 roadmaps and methodologies to enhance create urban ecosystems 
  • 120 start-uppers trained to strengthen the scaling-up potential of their business ideas
  • 30 start-up companies addressing environmental issues with innovative ideas that can be turned into new services or products
  • 6 urban hubs set up as incubators for entrepreneurs
  • 7 strategic documents on urban entrepreneurial policy for sustainable development in the Mediterranean area 
     

Contribution to policy-making

The interaction with decision-makers during the entrepreneurship ecosystem analysis and when establishing the project urban hubs will foster sustainable results at social, economic and policy levels. A full set of activities of the project is dedicated to produce policy proposals addressed to promote entrepreneurship as a tool for sustainable development in urban areas, with a direct involvement of public institutions throughout their elaboration. Finally, through a series of transnational workshops between responsible institutions in each participating city, a comparison among the strategies will be made in order to define a common policy at Mediterranean level.

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Project news

Meet the final U-SOLVE subgrant winners in Italy

The drive behind these project is to address Sustainable Urban Challenges.

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U-SOLVE: Let’s meet the sub-grantees from Cyprus

Each of the five projects is driven by a resolute commitment to creating positive change and supporting societal progress.

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U-SOLVE presents the grantees´ projects to address urban sustainable development

28 subgrants were awarded to young entrepreneurs and SMEs, about 5 in each participating country covering topics as wide as IT, food management or transport.

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U-SOLVE in Palestine announces its final subgrantees

The selection of the subgrantees was based on a long process of evaluation which included three steps in the U-SOLVE project overall and 4 step in Palestine in particular.

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Egypt: Innovative 5 Teams win the U-SOLVE subgrant

These winning projects tackle blue infrastructure, urban food systems, sustainable energy, and waste management, contributing significantly to sustainable urban development in Egypt.

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U-SOLVE holds its final open workshop on sustainable urban development

The main objective is to promote collaboration among start-uppers and facilitate connections with economic actors, institutions, and the public. Covered topics: Circular Econ…

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U-SOLVE in Egypt concludes its pitching day activities

More than 11 people partcipated in the event which featured an evaluation of seven compelling ideas by a professional committee. 5 awardees will receive a 10 000 €grant each.

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U-SOLVE: capacity building activities for Cyprus concluded

A total of 63 participants took part in these activities, and there was significant representation from 36 women and 42 young individuals.

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U-SOLVE in Greece granted 5 SMEs as a results of the pitching day event

Following a series of impressive pitches, we are delighted to announce that the standout winners of the event are OLIVEEX, VERTLINER, UPIRIA, MECANO, and APOLLO.Most of these …

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U-SOLVE meets to agree on launching entrepreneurs to the ecosystem

Partners met to prepare the final step of sub granting entrepreneurs of sustainable urban development in 6 Mediterranean countries.

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U-SOLVE in Cyprus concludes its pitching event

Out of the 11 teams, 6 dealt with waste management, 3 on green energy and 2 on urban transition. Five awardees will now proceed with the implementation of their proposals. Congratulations!

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U-SOLVE Greek hub hosts event for startups

This event offered valuable insights from industry experts and successful entrepreneurs, but it also provided a platform for budding entrepreneurs to connect and collaborate

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U-SOLVE in Jordan organised the pitching event for urban development solutions

The diverse range of ideas presented spanned critical sectors including water, food, waste management, sustainable tourism, and renewable energy. Entrepreneurs from across Jor…

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U-SOLVE in Greece concludes capacity building programme

U-SOLVE Capacity Building Programme in Greece Supports Sustainable Urban Development

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U-SOLVE Greek hub participated in InnoHealth Forum

By supporting key events and sessions to promote innovation and collaboration.

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U-SOLVE launches step 2 of the call for sub-grants for business ideas for sustainable urban development

This follow-up call is limited only to the pool of 210 selected innovators who have completed capacity building activities.

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U-SOLVE in Egypt completes 11 sessions of the capacity building program

Participants immersed themselves in the intricacies of the Business Model Canvas and Business Revenue Model, enabling them to build strong foundations for their ventures.

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U-SOLVE in Palestine concluded its startups pitching day

10 ideas and projects were presented individually based on a pre-prepared presentation model with the main points to be focused on, namely the aspects of creativity and innovation, the urban development challen…

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U-SOLVE and MED QUAD's Impact on Digitalization and Urban Sustainable Development

This partnership's culmination brought forth groundbreaking projects that exemplified the fusion of digital technologies and sustainable development, exceeding initial ex…

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U-SOLVE in Greece embarks on its capacity building journey to boost sustainable urban development

The U-SOLVE Greece launches its capacity building with 41 applicant teams from 5 thematic areas.

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U-SOLVE selected startups are welcome to apply for step 2 of the subgrant call

This follow-up call is currently open for Jordan and Palestine, until 19/06/23 and is limited for the selected innovators who have successfully completed capacity building act…

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U-SOLVE Partner in Egypt celebrates the opening of the urban development hub in Alexandria

The six selected startups for U-SOLVE project training were invited to exchange knowledge and information with experts and mentors to help them turn their innovative ideas int…

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U-SOLVE project re-opens the deadline for its call for subgrants for Greek applicants only

U-SOLVE project re-opens the deadline for its call for subgrants for Greek applicants only until the 22/05/2023 or to whenever the target of admitted proposals will be achieve…

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U-SOLVE in Jordan concludes comprehensive start-up training

The training covered topics related to the development of a start-up for U-SOLVE startuppers in Jordan.

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U-SOLVE in Palestine concluded the trainings of its capacity building program

41 projects participated in the training sessions preparing them for step 2 of the U-SOLVE subgrant application.

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Announcement of U-SOLVE IT supplies tender

The tender is open to all qualified and reputable IT suppliers who can provide high-quality products and services within the specified timeline

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U-SOLVE in Egypt provides training on pitching to young entrepreneurs

Through a 3-day boot camp which is part of the U-SOLVE project's sub-grant activities to support creative business ideas grow and develop by bringing innovative products …

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U-SOLVE launches its capacity building program in Palestine

The capacity building program will continue for almost a month it will include training, coaching and support for entrepreneurs to reach the final U-SOLVE grant.

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U-SOLVE and PPI4med work together on growing SMEs and businesses

This corporation aims at supporting entrepreneurs and SMEs in the field of environment and sustainable development by connecting them with experts and business owners and supp…

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U-SOLVE in Palestine is looking for a Capacity Building Service Provider

Deadline to submit: 4 February 2023 at 4 p.m Palestine time.

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U-SOLVE in Egypt hosted a session for the sub-grant call for entrepreneurs

The session included clarifications of who is eligible to apply to the call for application, particularly in the field of sustainable development, and a section on how to appl…

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U-SOLVE works on how their urban hubs can collaborate on Mediterranean cities´challenges

Namely on waste management, improving blue infrastructures and urban transport.

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U-SOLVE in Egypt anounces its urban living lab at an investment and entrepreneurship summit

This living lab in Alexandria will support start-ups and entrepreneurs to develop their creative ideas and address Mediterranean urban challenges.

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U-SOLVE call for subgrants has been promoted to the target groups in Greece

U-SOLVE running Call for sub grants was promoted in the International technological-innovation exhibition BEYOND and presented it to 18 the startup groups hosted by THINC incu…

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U-SOLVE in Cyprus showcased 5 innovative sustainable energy projects

The highlight of the conference was the showcase of five entrepreneurial ideas submitted under t U-SOLVE call for subgrants. They were presented and exposed participating youn…

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U-SOLVE in Jordan promotes its call for subgrants to entrepreneurs

Proposals for this call must tackle water resources and management, sustainable energy, waste management, urban food systems, sustainable tourism. Deadline for application: 31…

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U-SOLVE extends the call for sub-grants for one more month

Extended deadline to apply for the first step of the call is the 31st October 2022

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U-SOLVE in Palestine hold an "how to apply" session for entrepreneurs

The deadline to apply for this sub grants is on 30 September 2022.

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U-SOLVE in Cyprus announced its call for proposals on sustainable urban development

The call aspires to identify creative and innovative entrepreneurial ideas, tackling place-based sustainable development challenges troubling the city of Nicosia, Cyprus. The …

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U-SOLVE in Greece inaugurates the "Sustainable Development Goal's Urban Hub"

This hub will support young entrepreneurs who want to address urban challenges.

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U-SOLVE in Egypt announces the upcoming opening of its urban hub

The session highlighted needs extracted from the interviews that has the greatest impact on the urban development of Alexandria: sustainable energy, urban food systems, blue i…

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U-SOLVE describes key actors in Jordan's entrepreneurship landscape

Through a roadmap to identify the areas in which research, innovation and entrepreneurship should be supported.

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U-SOLVE partners in Jordan opened the "Sustainable Development Goals hub"

The opening of the hub was also an opportunity to inform about the upcoming call for proposals for entrepreneurs.

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U-SOLVE in Italy presents the challenges of Palermo's entrepreneurial ecosystem

The results of the survey show the need for action to support urban greenery, urban mobility and better waste management: a starting point for identifying possible solutions p…

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U-SOLVE partners in Palestine opened the urban development hub

The innovative hub will help entrepreneurs work on more sustainable urban planning in Palestine.

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U-SOLVE in Egypt held a field mission to prepare the opening of its urban living hub

The hub will incubate innovative ideas capable of solving local and regional challenges.

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U-SOLVE in Cyprus: works through co-creation and togetherness for a sustainable development in Nicosia

Nicosia’s key urban actors came together to discuss, debate, and co-create for a more sustainable future for their city, its environment and…

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U-SOLVE tackles entrepreneurship challenges in six Mediterranean cities

U-SOLVE partners met in Jordan to discuss progress in entrepreneurship challenges and urban development. It will soon launch a call for subgrants directed to creative entrepr…

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U-SOLVE in Greece invites young and women entrepreneur to implement initiatives supporting Sustainable Development Goals

IED institute and e-Trikala hold an event presenting U-SOLVE project to the public and inviting new and existing start uppers to join

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U-SOLVE in Egypt presents the needs of Alexandria's entrepreneurial ecosystem

Interviews with 63 public and private actors revealed the urgent need for more co-design structures in entrepreneurship development and more opportunities for international co…

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U-SOLVE in Cyprus works on entrepreneurship ecosystem mapping in Nicosia

This will be done through collecting data, conducting interviews, and organizing discussions with relevant people to find solutions for urban sustainable development involving…

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U-SOLVE in Palestine share results of its study on Urban Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

The study focuses on Bethlehem and Hebron and highlights the challenging sectors that affect entrepreneurship such as transport, green and blue infrastructures, urban food sys…

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U-SOLVE invites you to subscribe to its newsletter to learn about urban sustainable solutions

An appointment via email to stay up to date on initiatives to support those who want to do business in an innovative and sustainable way in urban areas

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U-SOLVE in Greece shares results of entrepreneurial ecosystem survey

According to the survey, the participants ranked waste management as a top priority.

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U-SOLVE shares experience on urban entreneurship, innovation and creativity

The initiatives promoted by the Egyptian partners have generated the exchange of best practices between CRE@CTIVE and INTECMED projects involving many actors from the private …

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U-SOLVE in Palestine is looking for a communication officer

U-SOLVE partner, Palestine Ahliya University, is looking for a communication officer. Application deadline: 07/12/2021 at 16:00 CET.

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U-SOLVE took part in the debate on how to foster entrepreneurship and sustainable urban devleopment

The Cyprus Institute presented U-SOLVE at the 2nd International Conference on Climate Change in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East wh…

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Palestine: U-SOLVE is looking for a researcher

Palestine Ahliya University is looking for a researcher to provide data collection, analysis, and reporting services. Deadline: 25 November 2021

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Management meeting in Cyprus: U-SOLVE partners to present urban entrepreneurial ecosystem roadmaps

U-SOLVE will develop a survey to assess the status quo of the urban entrepreneurial ecosystems in all partner countries and create 7 roadmap…

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U-SOLVE meets the URBiNAT community to share solutions for urban and social challenges

The collaboration between the two projects will bring the concepts of Nature-Based Solutions and Healthy Corridors into U-SOLVE.

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U-SOLVE showcased in Cyprus during the event "ENGAGE – European Researchers’ Night: the green and digital age!"

The Cyprus Institute presents the project U-SOLVE in the online European Researchers’ Night event in Cyprus within its framework of the sust…

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U-SOLVE adopts the doughnut economy methodology

U-SOLVE works towards a “zero impact city” in the Mediterranean taking into account economic development and citizen's social protection within the limit of our planet.

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U-SOLVE in Greece: how start-ups can contribute to our society's sustainable future

Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (iED) acknowledges the significance of a sustainable future and supports initiatives that foster sustainability by its participation …

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U-SOLVE: The Higher Council for Science and Technology will reinforce the innovation-employability nexus in Jordan

In light of the high unemployment rate in Jordan, HCST will provide support to young and women entrepreneurs to transfer their innovative id…

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U-SOLVE Information Day Webinar explores adequate Sustainable Development Goals for Palestine

U-SOLVE team collected data on the most adequate sustainable development goals for the Palestinian context and how local businesses and startups can contribute to achieving th…

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U-SOLVE focus groups explore entrepreneurial ecosystem in Palestine

Palestine Ahliya University formed a focus group with community-based organizations and non-governmental organizations to discuss the challenges of creating an entrepreneurial…

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Palestine: U-SOLVE is looking for an administrative officer

Bethlehem Municipality, partner of U-SOLVE project, is looking for an administrative officer. Application deadline: 24/07/2021 at 16:00 CET.

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U-SOLVE: E-TRIKALA SA in Greece offers support to women and asylum seekers to develop their business

Within the framework of U-SOLVE project, E-TRIKALA SA organised a series of meetings and field visits in June and July with municipalities a…

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ITALY: U-SOLVE is looking for an External Auditor

Consorzio ARCA, lead partner in the "U-SOLVE" project, is looking for an External Auditor. Application deadline: 16/07/2021

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U-SOLVE in Palestine fosters university-companies´ relationships to improve youth employment

Palestine Ahliya University organized a focus group to discuss the relationship between the university and the private sector and the challenge of creating job opportunities f…

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U-SOLVE: An open innovation process for tackling sustainable urban development challenges in Cyprus and the Mediterranean Region

Cyprus uses U-SOLVE methodology to shift start-up creation towards an entrepreneurial sustainable develop…

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Palestine: U-SOLVE is looking for an External Auditor

Bethlehem Municipality, partner of the U-SOLVE project, is looking for an External Auditor. Application deadline: 24/06/2021 at 13:00 CET.

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U-SOLVE and the Greek challenge of gender equality in employment

As a partner in the U-SOLVE project, e-Trikala will contribute to implementing the project’s objectives in promoting and supporting Greek women entrepreneurs, as well as worki…

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Egypt and U-SOLVE contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Egypt is one of the first countries to establish a national committee to monitor the implementation of the Sustainable Sevelopment Goals. In addition, it has developed a "…

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U-SOLVE and the Italian challenge in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Discover the "5Ps" of Sustainable Development Goals proposed by the United Nations Agenda 2030: each of which contains strategic choices and strategic objectives for…

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U-SOLVE project to support businesses for a sustainable development in the Mediterranean

The project, which aims to develop sustainable urban enterprises, will be launched on 13 April with the partners from Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Jordan and Palestine.

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Jordan: two job vacancies under the U-SOLVE project

The Jordan University of Science and Technology, partner of the U-SOLVE project, is looking for an External Auditor and a Communication Officer. Application deadline: 03/04/2021.

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Palestine: two job vacancies under the U-SOLVE project

The Palestine Ahliya University, partner of the U-SOLVE project, is looking for an External Auditor and a Communication Officer. Application deadline: 20/3/2021 at 16:00 CET.

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