INNOMED-UP

Mediterranean cities face the issue of overwhelming waste production demanding effective and urgent actions. Circular economy principles may offer a solution to this problem. As it is generally recognised that a noticeable percentage of waste in city centres is produced by Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs), their involvement in circular economy schemes is of great importance. 

Although there are disparities between cities in the North and the South of the Mediterranean area, they share common cultural characteristics. Therefore, by building on their common identity and by integrating into their productive schemes the principles of the circular economy, Mediterranean cities can create resilient urban environments and communities, establishing a supportive framework for CCI SMEs clustering.

Looking beyond the current take-make-waste extractive industrial model, a circular economy aims to redefine growth, focusing on positive society-wide benefits. It entails gradually decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources and designing waste out of the system. Underpinned by a transition to renewable energy sources, the circular model builds economic, natural, and social capital. It is based on three principles:

• Design out waste and pollution
• Keep products and materials in use
• Regenerate natural systems

INNOMED-UP proposes to work with CCIs to shift local urban economies towards a circular production and consumption paradigm including optimal use of material resources, innovation enhancement for SMEs, knowledge transfer among cities, social inclusion and citizens’ engagement. The project will 

work at a cross-border level supporting both technological developments (such as modern procedures of upcycling, technological informative platforms, etc.) and traditional recycling practices. 

The adoption of circular economy procedures within Cultural and Creative Industries will improve waste management thanks to technological absorption and innovative knowledge transfer, consequently, transforming Mediterranean cities into more resilient territories. The implementation of these procedures is expected to promote job contracts of scientific experts and technical staff and also SMEs will benefit of from research opportunities born from clusters and innovation vouchers to acquire equipment and mentorship support.

INNOMED-UP project is implemented under the 2014-2020 ENI CBC “Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme” (http://www.enicbcmed.eu). Its total budget is 3.199 million Euro and it is financed for an amount of 2.8 million Euro by European Union through the European Neighbourhood Instrument. http://www.enicbcmed.eu/projects/innomed-up