Interreg NEXT MED debuted at the Arab SMEs Summit, promoting Mediterranean cooperation, showcasing sustainable business opportunities, and announcing the upcoming €83 million call for green transition projects.
The Arab SMEs Summit (ASMES), organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), is a regional annual platform for accelerating the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the Arab region. This annual event aims to empower SMEs to expand their reach beyond local markets, focusing on sustainable growth and enhanced regional collaboration.
This year the event took place this year in Doha (Qatar) from 18th to 20th November 2024 qwitg the support of the Qatar Development Bank. The Interreg NEXT MED Programme, committed to expanding its reach and showcasing opportunities across the Arab region, marked its inaugural participation in this prominent event.
Represented by a delegation from the Managing Authority and the Valencia Branch Office, the Programme was also accompanied by seven SMEs from Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, and Tunisia. These companies, previously supported by the ENI CBC MED Programme – Interreg NEXT MED’s predecessor – highlighted their innovative ventures and products. The event offered these SMEs a platform to network with industry peers, engage with inspirational leaders, and explore new funding opportunities. They also participated in interactive workshops, and coaching sessions, gaining valuable insights and mentorship to advance their initiatives.
You can discover the selected SMEs here
Several SMEs, along with the Programme, had dedicated booths at the event. Hundreds of attendees engaged with Interreg NEXT MED’s representatives, inquiring about funding opportunities related to SME support, economic cluster development, research and innovation, training, and business adaptation in areas such as energy efficiency, water management, circular economy, and climate change resilience.
As a matter of fact, the Programme is set to launch a new call for projects with a budget of €83 million to support the green transition with SMEs in Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon and Türkiye fully eligible to participate in this upcoming opportunity.
Interreg NEXT MED Programme and the selected SMEs played an active role in a series of sessions organized during the event, either by hosting or participating in the following discussions:
Monday 18 November – Workshop on Green Business
A workshop on green business explored emerging trends in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, food security, and water management. The session highlighted opportunities for SMEs to drive growth and innovation by leveraging these trends. Regional programs supporting SMEs in these sectors, including Interreg NEXT MED, were also discussed. Participants gained insights into the green business landscape and strategies to identify and capitalize on opportunities.
The first segment focused on factors driving the success of green business models. Participants examined how elements like system capacity, data analytics, and collection efficiency varied across models. The discussion also covered how milestones and investment goals shift with a business’s growth stage, offering strategies to enhance sustainability and investment returns.
The second segment was hands-on, introducing high-growth opportunities in green solutions. Participants worked in groups to review business models, assess key success factors, and explore potential impacts. The session ended with an exchange of insights, equipping attendees with strategies to scale their businesses and attract sustainable investments.
Two Interreg NEXT MED Programme officers moderated roundtable discussions on circular economy in home materials and construction, and robotics in agriculture.
Tuesday 19 November – Side Event on Circular Economy Opportunities in the Arab Region
A side event focused on the transformative potential of the circular economy for Arab Mediterranean SMEs, aiming to inspire innovation and provide strategic guidance for adoption. The session showcased success stories across various sectors and facilitated discussions to develop tailored roadmaps for SMEs. Interreg NEXT MED moderated this session, while some of the SMEs supported by the Programme presented their success stories on how circular economy solutions can bear results.
Key topics included how circular economy practices can enhance resource efficiency, drive innovation, and improve competitiveness. Real-world examples demonstrated the tangible benefits of these approaches, offering practical insights into their implementation. The event also outlined actionable steps for SMEs to transition effectively, leveraging available resources and setting metrics for ongoing improvement.
This initiative underscored the opportunities within the circular economy to foster sustainable growth and resilience in the Arab Mediterranean region.
Tuesday 19 November – Coaching Session for Agro-Food SMEs
Alongside the circular economy session, two Interreg Program Officers moderated a coaching session with SMEs involved in agro-food solutions supported by the Programme. The session provided a platform for these companies to connect, present their innovations, and discuss the main barriers they face when expanding their businesses to other Mediterranean countries.
Additionally, the Programme offered guidance on accessing available funding through various calls, sharing advice on crafting winning proposals and building effective partnerhsips.
Wednesday 20 November – The Switchers Talks 2024: Better Impacts for a Better Tomorrow
The Switchers Talks 2024, organized by the Switchers Community, highlighted sustainable business models in the Mediterranean region. Supported by the Barcelona Convention and MedWaves, a UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centre, the event focused on showcasing the impacts of the Switchers Support Programme. It emphasized how sustainable business practices address environmental and social challenges while fostering circular economies in the Mediterranean.
The session showcased innovative business models from the Switchers Community and underscored the importance of assessing triple impacts – environmental, social, and economic-for MSMEs. During the session, the Interreg NEXT MED Programme engaged in discussions with three SMEs – Green Afalco, Respect Environmental Group, and Indinya – to explore opportunities and address challenges related to scaling up green business models.
Wednesday 20 November – Closing Ceremony: Announcement of the Call for Green Transition Projects
The Interreg NEXT MED Programme was one of the few initiatives invited to participate in the closing ceremony, where it had the opportunity to take the stage and present the upcoming call for green transition projects. In front of high-level political and economic authorities from Arab countries, a brief presentation outlined the call, emphasizing the opportunity for many of the represented countries to access the Programme’s funds.
Following the presentation, numerous attendees approached the Interreg NEXT MED representative to request further information about the available funding, reflecting significant interest for the initiative.
Interreg NEXT MED’s participation in the Arab SMEs Summit in Doha, alongside innovative SMEs, highlights its dedication to fostering collaboration between Mediterranean Arab countries and the European Union. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to UN ESCWA and the Qatar Development Bank for organizing such an impressive business event and to all the SMEs that enthusiastically joined us on this journey.
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