NEX-LABS aims to support the implementation of clean technologies for a sustainable and resilient increase of agri-food sector production based on more efficient use of energy (renewable/solar solutions) and water (wastewater treatment, water harvesting, or reuse solutions) in the MPC region, thanks to the contributions of ICT such as blockchain technology, Internet of the Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning and Big Data. Beyond MPC national or regional Water/Energy/Food (WEF) policy development programs, NEX-LABS will contribute to the local policy development of the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development 2016-2025 and to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda through innovative integrated WEF+ICT technologies to face SDGs 2, 6&7 thanks to NDOLLs approach.
NEX-LABS targets a plethora of stakeholders, including public institutions such as ministries and national agencies, research centers or universities, SMEs, entities of the entrepreneurship ecosystem such as companies/ technology transfer organizations /technological parks/venture capital/business angels, entities collaborating to the public debate such as communication multipliers/think tanks, civil society organizations.
Objectives:
- Support the implementation of clean technologies for sustainable and resilient increase of agri-food sector production.
- Use energy and water efficiently (renewable/solar solutions, wastewater treatment, water harvesting or reuse solutions).
- Make use of ICT such as blockchain technology, Internet or the Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning and Big Data in agriculture.
- Strengthen technology transfer, cooperation industry-academia, increase commercialization opportunities, and innovation-driven growth.
Main Results:
- 2 NEXUS- Driven Open Living Labs established.
- 4 business ideas benefiting from acceleration grants.
- 16 testing and 42 acceleration vouchers allocated.
- 1 summer school celebrated with the participation of 50 entrepreneurs.
- 6 spin-offs confirmed with 6 co-patents registered.
- 1 Job bank and 8 Join Research Contracts signed.
Partnership: 11 institutions (Autonomous University of Barcelona (ES), Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Center (TN), Royal Scientific Society- Aqaba Liaison Center (JO), Berytech Foundation (LB), INNOLABS SRL (IT), Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (EG), American University of Beirut (LB), Centre for promotional services to enterprises – Special Agency of Cagliari Chamber of Commerce (IT), Net7 Srl (IT), CIP Citizens In Power (CY), The Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development /Princess Basma Community Development Centre Aqaba (JO)) from 7 different countries across the Mediterranean.
The EU funds the NEX-LABS project under the ENI CBC Med Programme. The 2014-2020 ENI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme is a multilateral Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC) initiative funded by the European Neighborhood Instrument (ENI). The Programme’s objective is to foster fair, equitable, and sustainable economic, social, and territorial development, advancing cross-border integration and valorizing participating countries’ territories and values. The Managing Authority (MA) is the Autonomous Region of Sardinia (Italy). Official Programme languages are Arabic, English, and French.
For more information, please visit: www.enicbcmed.eu/projects/nex-labs
Project duration: 01/09/2020 – 01/03/2023
Grant number: B_A.2.1.0124
