1

Why the project matters

The effects of the climate crisis are particularly evident in the Mediterranean, with aggressive droughts putting at risk food production. Agri-food products (particularly olive oil and dairy) are among the top exported products in the 4 participating countries (Cyprus, Greece, Jordan and Tunisia), showing their importance in the national economies and growth models. In tandem, the agri-food sector, as well as the broader SME ecosystem, in all 4 participating countries face challenges to digitalize and adapt to a demanding environment for sustainable production. The design of services and collaboration platforms the project proposes can support Agri-food SMEs of the Mediterranean region in their green and digital transition and lead to safer and more sustainable food systems.

2

What it aims to achieve

•  To create and promote a transnational ecosystem of industrial SMEs, cooperating over value chains, business networking, and exchanging data and good practices to improve their digital and green performance and growth in the food industry.
•  To implement transnational initiatives and services for the digital and green transformation of food industry SMEs, including transnational e-business/e-commerce tools, skills and capacity building, and collaborative innovations for the green transition.

3

Expected change

•  Establishment of a cross-border smart green ecosystem of Mediterranean SMEs, sustained through an SME association after the project.
•  Implementation of four collaborative digital services: benchmarking, capacity building, digital procurement, and product development.
•  Enabling SMEs to adopt greener, smarter practices, boosting competitiveness, sustainability, and digital transformation in the food industry.

4

What the project delivers

•  Establishment of a Mediterranean Industry ecosystem with 100 food SMEs from Cyprus, Greece, Tunisia, and Jordan.
•  Benchmarking platform with AI tools for improving the smart green food ecosystem.
•  A developed platform for good practices, digital and green skills
•  Training, learning, and skills development resources for smart green practices, including a knowledge repository of best practices
•  A collaborative new product development through 10 groups of SMEs designing product or service prototypes.

5

Who benefits

•  100 food SMEs from Cyprus, Greece, Tunisia, and Jordan will receive direct support, benefiting from tailored services and platforms.
•  Sectoral associations and chambers of commerce will help disseminate information, support SME participation, and connect stakeholders.
•  Microenterprises will be supported by providing affordable access to platforms they would otherwise struggle to afford.
•  Policymakers at local, national, and regional levels.
•  Entrepreneurs and SMEs across the Euro-Mediterranean