The YIELD project – Youth Innovators Entrepreneurship Launchpad for Deep Tech officially started with its kick-off meeting held on 3-4 December 2025 at the Central Library of the University of Ioannina in Arta.
The meeting marked the beginning of a joint Euro-Mediterranean effort to strengthen youth entrepreneurship, supporting young people aged 18-30 who aspire to transform innovative ideas into sustainable business solutions. YIELD focuses on strategic sectors such as the blue, green and circular economy, eco-innovation, and the application of leading-edge and deep-tech solutions.
With a total budget of €1,001,483.50 EU contribution: € 891.320,32 (89%), the project brings together expertise, innovation and cooperation to create new opportunities for young entrepreneurs and to contribute to sustainable local and regional development across the Mediterranean.
Within the YIELD framework, young aspiring entrepreneurs will benefit from a comprehensive support package that includes:
- specialized entrepreneurship training,
- mentoring and expert guidance,
- business model development support,
- cross-border cooperation and networking opportunities,
- participation in missions to gain practical experience within regional companies.
The long-term ambition of the project is to support the creation of new micro-businesses in the field of advanced technologies, reinforcing innovation ecosystems and entrepreneurial capacity in the Euro-Mediterranean area.
YIELD is implemented by a consortium of six partners from Greece, Italy, Jordan, Egypt and Palestine, supported by ten associated partners that contribute academic knowledge, entrepreneurial experience and technological expertise.
The Lead Partner is the Laboratory of Knowledge & Intelligent Computing of the Department of Informatics and Telecommunications at the University of Ioannina.
During the kick-off meeting, partners confirmed their shared commitment to the project’s objectives and defined the first implementation steps, focusing on:
- analysing regional needs and challenges,
- developing common training tools and methodologies,
- preparing the upcoming open call for young teams interested in joining the project.
By placing young people at the centre of innovation, YIELD aims to create meaningful opportunities for the next generation of entrepreneurs and to foster solutions that address economic, environmental and societal challenges through Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.
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