Kick-off meeting of the BalkanMed INNOVAproject

Financed by the ERDF and the national budget under the "Balkan-Mediterranean 2014-2020" Programme, the BalkanMed INNOVA project was officially started on 25-26.07.2017 in Arta, Greece, launching efforts to stimulate entrepreneurial thinking, promote Innovative start-ups and promoting a culture that is more attractive to entrepreneurship and the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Special attention is given to 4 economic activities of major strategic importance for the socio-economic development of the participating countries (Greece, Bulgaria, FYROM, Albania, Cyprus), namely:

1. Tourism and Cultural Heritage (TCH) and
2. Agribusiness (AGRI)
which are identified as sectors contributing to the national GDP of participating countries and have a significant growth potential,as well as
3. Information & Communication Technologies for Small-Medium Enterprises (ICT4SMEs) and
4. Energy & Environment (EE),
which can be treated both as independent business sectors and as sectors with presence and application in every modern business.
The six project partners:

• TEIEP - Technological Educational Institute of Epirus, Greece
• JiC-BAS - Joint Innovation Centre of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria
• YES - Youth Entrepreneurial Service Foundation, FYROM
• RASP - Rural Association Support Programme, Albania
• CUT - Cyprus University of Technology, Cyprus
• KEKAPEL S.A. - Vocational training center of the regional unit of lesvos s.a. Greece

took part in the kick-off project meeting that marked its official start and detailed the planned activities for the benefit of all target groups.