Lack of strong ties among small and medium sized enterprises and researchers hampers eco-innovations in the Baltic Sea Region. Ecolabnet is a project, which aims to address this issue by developing a network of experts to provide services to support SMEs with eco-innovative product ideas. The network will be set up to address needs of SMEs across the value chain of products that integrates product-service system designers, bio-based material researchers, 3D print technology providers, eco-branding specialists and business developers. The applications could be in the field of medical diagnostics and electronics. Interreg Baltic Sea Region has granted 2.25 million euros to the Ecolabnet project. The project financing comes from European Regional Development Fund and will run from January 2019 to June 2021.
The project aims to increase awareness among SMEs about environment friendly materials and processes, to use in product development. In addition, the project aims to create stronger ties between SMEs and research institutes as well as to implement sustainable strategies in business. The project partners and intermediary organizations in Baltic Regions in the respective countries will actively promote the services to the SMEs. In the future, the network also aims to expand its services to various regions in Europe. The project aims to address UN sustainable development goals 9, 11, 12, 13 and 17 (Industry Innovation & infrastructure, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action and Partnerships for the Goals) through its work.
The project has partners from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Sweden and Poland. Lead partner Design Centre MUOVA, Vaasa, will manage the project. The other partners are VIA University College, University of Tartu, Centria University of Applied Sciences, Vilnius University, Kaunas University of Technology, Czestochowa University of Technology, Lithuanian Business Confederation, etc.
Details on the project is available at https://ecolabnet.org/
Interreg BSR program details: https://www.interreg-baltic.eu/home.html
Project funding:
2014-2020 Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme
Project results:
The project will create a new network of experts and laboratories bringing together expertise in the development of innovative eco-materials and services, manufacturing technology, engineering, industrial management and marketing.
Period of project implementation: 2018-09-21 - 2021-12-31
Project coordinator: VAMK Ltd, University of Applied Sciences
Project partners: University of Tartu (UT), VIA University College, Centria University of Applied Sciences, MB "Labsamera", Czestochowa University of Technology, Estrotech Ltd, Kaunas University of Technology, Vilnius University
