Bolstering Euro-Mediterranean research and innovation in sustainable energy

With the understanding that R&I plays a major role in promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth and job creation in the region, the EU has funded the project MAGHRENOV (Convergence between EU and MAGHREB MPC innovation systems in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency (RE&EE). A test-bed for fostering Euro-Mediterranean innovation space (EMIS)), the consortium aims to bring together various stakeholders from European and Maghreb countries to set up a common Euro-Mediterranean innovation area.

MAGHRENOV centres around three pillars in realising the foreseen innovation space. The first concerns building human resource and knowledge capacity and fostering innovation in Mediterranean RE&EE sectors. The second brings together RE&EE initiatives in Member States and Mediterranean Partner Countries (MPCs) to support development of sustainable energies and to establish R&I systems. The final pillar implements mobility schemes between young academics and the businesses and research communities in the EU and MPCs.

During the first year, project partners organised a workshop to define future needs in the capacity building of education, training and mobility. It also studied the requirements of the current Mediterranean RE&EE knowledge base. Entrepreneurial education and industrial internship programmes have been set up. A task force has been established to plan the EuroMed Masters programme.

A knowledge database containing information on relevant RE&EE activities has been created and is available on the project website. It will be continuously updated with information such as innovative technology roadmaps and competence mapping.

The team also designed a business support tool for entrepreneurs that provides guidance in technology and human resources, market access and financial resources.

By continuing to strengthen R&I efforts and collaboration in RE&EE, MAGHRENOV will be well positioned to offer opportunities to develop new business, create new jobs and contribute to the economic growth of the Mediterranean basin.