CUEIM announces the approval of the Interreg Euro-MED BIOSTARS Project to support rural communities in the Mediterranean

CUEIM is proud to announce that the Interreg Euro-MED BIOSTARS project has been officially approved!

The project, in the framework of Interreg Euro-MED Programme – Innovative and Sustainable Economy Mission and is set to make a significant impact on rural communities in the Mediterranean region.

With a partnership of nine institutional and network partners from Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Spain, focusing on building a bio-based industry ecosystem that includes start-ups, social entrepreneurs, investors, and local communities, led by the Greek Centre for Research and Technology Hellas – CERTH, the project aims to foster the development of a sustainable bioeconomy by promoting economic opportunities and preserving biodiversity in Mediterranean rural areas. To this aim, the initiative will be driven by collaboration and innovation to create lasting economic and social change in rural areas.

At the core of the project is the creation of a BIOSTARS toolbox, a circular bioeconomy toolkit that will combine biobased technical solutions and social innovations from past projects (Horizon BIOLOC and Interreg Euro-MED REVIVE). This toolkit will guide rural communities in adopting bioeconomy practices, with a focus on transforming existing or creating new “bioeconomy start-up villages.”

These villages will serve as hubs for entrepreneurs to develop and implement innovative bio-based solutions in key sectors such as food systems, biological waste, bio-based materials, and digital technologies.

CUEIM will play a pivotal role in the success of the project by providing socio-economic and techno-economic support to key enablers in using the BIOSTARS toolbox. Our organization will focus on establishing italian “hot spots” for entrepreneurship, where start-ups and social entrepreneurs can thrive. These hot spots will be developed in collaboration with transfer territories and associated partners, among which the Open Territories Centre of University of L’Aquila, the Network of Sustainable Municipalities and the support of Fair Trade Lebanon.

Additionally, CUEIM will assist public authorities by providing policy learning and supporting the integration of bioeconomy practices through its experience with previous projects such as the Interreg Euro-MED Academy and The Good Business Academy. Our organization will also help build networks of social innovation actors, by offering practical support to start-ups, and promoting awareness-raising activities about existing funding opportunities, including public procurement.

BIOSTARS is designed to make a lasting impact across the Euro-MED area by engaging local communities, policymakers, and stakeholders. The project will empower young innovators, women-led enterprises, and rural communities to actively participate in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive bioeconomy.

Through its extensive networks and expertise in transnational cooperation, CUEIM will also support communication, dissemination, and project management activities to ensure the project’s success and broad reach.

CUEIM is excited to contribute to a brighter future for rural communities in the Mediterranean and is committed to driving innovation, sustainability, and collaboration for a-the development of a more sustainable and biobased economy.

Project title: BIOSTARS – Systemic circular bioeconomy solutions to support

start-up and social driven innovation in rural areas

Programme: Interreg Euro-MED

Mission: Innovative and Sustainable Economy

Budget: € 1.500.000 (EU contribution € 1.200.000)

Duration: 27 months – April 2025 -June 2027

Project partners:

• CERTH – Centre for Research and Technology Hellas – Greece
• SDEWES – International centre for sustainable development of energy, water and environmental systems – Croatia
• CTA – Technological Corporation of Andalusia – Spain
• CORALLIA – Athena R&I Center in Information, Communication and Knowledge Technologies Corallia Unit – Greece
• SERDA – Sarajevo Economic Region Development Agency – Bosnia Herzegovina
• ANETEL – Larnaca and Famagusta Districts Development Agency – Cyprus
• ADAD – Association for the Development of the Aljarafe Doñana Region – Spain
• CUEIM – University Consortium for Industrial and Managerial Economy – Italy
• CEI – Central European Initiative – Executive Secretariat – Italy