vision paper for an era-net+

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under the grant agreement no. 609453.

DELIVERABLE

Project Acronym: MAGHRENOV

Grant Agreement number: 609453

Project Title: Convergence between EU and MAGHREB MPC innovation systems in the field of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RE&EE) – A test-bed for fostering Euro Mediterranean Innovation Space (EMIS)

D4.3 VISION PAPER FOR AN ERA-NET+

Version: 1.0

Authors:

Océane Elmajdoub (KIC SE) Pilar Jorda (KIC SE)

Internal Reviewers:

Claude Ayache (KIC SE)

Helene Ben Khemis (ANME)

Dissemination Level

P Public X

C Confidential, only for members of the consortium and the Commission Services


© MAGHRENOV Consortium 2 Version 1.0 - 21/12/2015

Table of Contents Table of Contents ............................................................................................................. 2

List of Figures ................................................................................................................. 3

Revision History ............................................................................................................... 4

List of Acronyms .............................................................................................................. 5

Executive Summary ........................................................................................................... 6

1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 7

1.1 Scope and objectives of the deliverable ........................................................................ 7

1.2 Methodology ......................................................................................................... 8

1.3 Relation to other Work Packages and Deliverables ............................................................ 9

1.4 Structure of the deliverable ....................................................................................... 9

2 ERA-NET + ............................................................................................................... 11

2.1 Definition of an ERA-NET + ...................................................................................... 11

2.1.1 What is an ERA-NET? ......................................................................................... 11

2.1.2 The ERA-NET+ concept ...................................................................................... 12

2.2 Main obstacles for successful ERA-NET+ ....................................................................... 14

2.2.1 Political will and divergence of interests ................................................................. 14

2.2.2 The financial hurdle ......................................................................................... 15

3 Going beyond the ERA-NET+ approach ............................................................................. 15

3.1 Option 1: the follow-up of the MAGHRENOV joint Call for proposals ..................................... 16

3.1.1 Rationale and objectives .................................................................................... 16

3.1.2 Establishment of a formal agreement to continue the joint-calls for proposals ................... 17

3.2 Option 2: Exportation of KIC IE model to Maghreb .......................................................... 19

3.2.1 Rationale and objectives .................................................................................... 19

3.2.2 Opportunities offered by a local infrastructure based on the KIC IE co-location model of innovation support .................................................................................................... 20

4 General Conclusion .................................................................................................... 22

4.1 Will there be support to go further than the ERA-NET+ concept? ......................................... 22

4.2 Need of financial guarantees and political back-up ......................................................... 23

4.3 The creation of a KIC in the Maghreb region? ................................................................ 25

5 References .............................................................................................................. 27

6 Annex: Questionnaire on ERA-NET+ ................................................................................. 28



List of Figures Figure 2: What should be the priority target in using the pooled money? ......................................... 13

Figure 1: Which services could be offered in the Mediterranean Partner Countries by this infrastructure? . 21

Figure 4: What are the main obstacles to the creation of an ERA-NET+? .......................................... 14

Figure 5: What could be an alternative to the creation of an ERA-NET+? ......................................... 16

Figure 3: Is the creation of an ERA-NET+ for Innovation in RE&EE a sustainable solution for the establishment of a Euro-Mediterranean Innovation Space? .......................................................... 22

Figure 6 Do you think that these obstacles can be dealt with? ...................................................... 24



Revision History

Revision Date Author Organization Description

0.1 14/10/2013 Jiri Bouchal KIC SE Initial draft

0.2 29/09/2015 Océane Elmajdoub KIC SE Reviewed draft

0.3 23/10/2015 Océane Elmajdoub

Pilar Jorda

KIC SE

KIC SE

Internal KIC review

0.4 26/10/2015 Océane Elmajdoub KIC SE Internal KIC review


Pilar Jorda

KIC SE

KIC SE

Internal KIC review


Pilar Jorda

KIC SE Internal KIC review

0.7 10/12/2015 Claude Ayache

Hélène BenKhemis

KIC SE

ANME

Consortium review

1.0 21/12/2015 Océane Elmajdoub KIC SE Final Version

Statement of originality:

This deliverable contains original unpublished work except where clearly indicated otherwise. Acknowledgement of previously published material and of the work of others has been made through appropriate citation, quotation or both.



List of Acronyms

BtoB Business to Business

DoW Description of Work

EMIS Euro Mediterranean and Innovation Space

ENI European Neighbourhood Instrument

ENP European Neighbourhood Policy

ERA-NET European Research Area Network

FP6/FP7 Framework Programme 6/7

H2020 Horizon 2020

MPC Mediterranean Partner Country

MoU Memorandum of Understanding

R&D Research and Development

RE&EE Research and Development

TFEU Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union

WP Work Package



Executive Summary After two years of implementation, the MAGHRENOV project is entering its final phase and exploring several opportunities, among them the creation of an ERA NET + platform (European Research Area Network), to consolidate its achievements and make them sustainable.

This vision paper for an ERA-NET+ is a foresight exercise based on a brainstorming carried out by the MAGHRENOV’s network through a questionnaire. The objective of the questionnaire was to get a general overview of the main benefits and potential challenges of an ERA-NET+ platform in order to prepare this vision Paper. The answers helped to evaluate the feasibility of the creation of a future ERA-NET + platform, through which the European Commission would support the organisation of joint calls between national research programmes by topping-up joint trans-national funding with European funding.

Firstly, the vision paper reports on the ‘organised brainstorming’ on a possible ERA-NET+ assessing its advantages and the obstacles that could prevent its materialisation.

Secondly, this deliverable explores alternatives beyond the ERA-NET+ option with, on the one hand the continuity of the MAGHRENOV joint Call for proposals, and on the other hand the establishment of a joint ad-hoc undertaking including public and private organisations.

Finally, the vision paper draws conclusions on the best possible option to make the achievements of MAGHRENOV sustainable.



1 Introduction One year before the end of the MAGHRENOV project, this deliverable is the occasion to present and assess the main options that can be considered to make the MAGHRENOV experience a sustainable one after September 2016.

MAGHRENOV is committed to examine the ERA-NET + solution for its sustainable continuation.

MAGHRENOV aims at building a strong network with industrial, academic, research and political partners. This key objective - as stated in the Description of Work (DoW) and its task 4.B - is to extend and have a sustainable MAGHRENOV network. This network is a central element for exploring the possibility for an ERA-NET+ for funding euro-Mediterranean Renewable energy and Energy efficiency (RE&EE) joint innovation projects.

Task 4.B: “Extension and sustainability of the MAGHRENOV network: explore the possibility for an ERA-NET or an ERA-NET+ for funding EuroMed RE&EE joint innovation projects.”1

The specific objective of this deliverable is to assess the feasibility to create an ERA-NET+ for funding euro-Mediterranean RE&EE joint innovation projects and explore alternative options.

At the current stage of the MAGHRENOV project, the question is double:

1. How to continue further the MAGHRENOV action with the instruments currently available and at which scale?

2. How to continue the MAGHRENOV action with an ERANET+ and how to identify the future needs?

To further understand the objectives of MAGHRENOV and the building of a stable relationship of cooperation between Europe and Maghreb, we can also mention the European Neighbourhood Policy as the main political framework behind it. On the 18th of November 2015, the EEAS and the European Commission jointly released a review of the ENP to strengthen the cooperation and the partnership with its neighbours. This review stresses the importance of regional cooperation in the field of energy security and climate action. This has the objective to ensure an inclusive economic and social development in the Mediterranean area. According to the High Representative and Vice President Federica Mogherini:

“A stronger partnership with our neighbours is key for the European Union while we face many challenges […] This is precisely the purpose of the current review of the ENP which will promote our common values and interests […] The measures set out today seek to find ways to strengthen together the resilience of our and our partners societies, and our ability to effectively work together on our common purposes”2

1.1 Scope and objectives of the deliverable This deliverable is part of the clustering activities of MAGHRENOV as the preparation and elaboration of a “Vision paper for an ERA-NET+” was based on MAGHRENOV’s network of associated partners that contributed to create the necessary contacts and platform to brainstorm on this vision paper on the

1 MAGHRENOV Description of Work, Task 4.B, p.15

2 More information at the European Commission Press release 18/11/2015: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-6121_en.htm



creation of a European Research Area Network (ERA-Net). This Vision Paper for an ERA-NET+ is a report of an organised brainstorming with all MAGHRENOV consortium members and with other R2I projects members.

The associated partners were contacts of highest relevance to discuss the possibility and feasibility of the creation of a future “ERA-NET+” platform through which the Commission would support the organisation of joint calls between national research programmes by topping-up joint trans-national funding with Community funding. These consultations will be pursued over MAGHRENOV’s lifetime and the network of associated partner is key resource for this.

This vision paper is also part of a foresight exercise on the creation of the Euro Mediterranean and innovation space (EMIS) through the setting up of a “cluster” for RE&EE innovations in the Euro-Med region

The development of an EMIS aims at building a stable relation of cooperation, knowledge-sharing and networking between the Euro-Mediterranean countries. This will allow to engage together into larger and more ambitious innovation projects, and will help grow the market and the industry.

The EMIS would allow to “pull together policy dialogue, national and regional capacity-building, cooperation in research and innovation and increased mobility of researchers”.3

MAGHRENOV is the test-bed for the organization of a Euro-Mediterranean Innovation Space (EMIS) and the setting-up of a true Euro-Med cluster for RE&EE. MAGHRENOV promotes the development of the EMIS making a special effort into the renewable energy and energy efficiency field, by experimenting operational implementation actions and by bringing together education programmes, knowledge sharing and creation of business opportunities.

1.2 Methodology In order to elaborate on this vision paper, a questionnaire was designed targeting members of the MAGHRENOV consortium, their networks and the R2I projects’ staff.

An ‘organised brainstorming’ on a possible ERA NET+ and its alternatives has been conducted.

Formats and participants

The methodology to draft this vision paper was characterised by a three-step approach:

o A questionnaire with key ideas was elaborated by KIC InnoEnergy;

o The questionnaire was sent to the Consortium partners and to the associated (Cluster) partners for their comments and inputs;

o Contributions were gathered and analysed to improve the vision paper and transformed into a position paper.

A ‘mixed questionnaire’ was sent to the Consortium partners and associates to gather their thoughts about the development and implementation of the ERA-NET+. This questionnaire combined “closed-ended questions”, where participants had to choose between a given number of possible options, and “open-ended questions”, where respondents could express their vision on two determined fields: (1) how to deal with the main obstacles that ERA-NET+ is facing and (2) the establishment of an Euro-Mediterranean Innovation Space. In total we received 12 contributions from targeted and restricted list of high potential respondents having knowledge on ERA-NET and in Euro-Mediterranean project in general. The respondents came both from European and Mediterranean partner countries with a substantial geographical coverage (Spain, Italy, Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon and Jordan).

3 Euro-Mediterranean cooperation in the area of Research and Innovation, https://ec.europa.eu/research/conferences/2012/euro-mediterranean/index_en.cfm?pg=about , retrieved on 27.10.2015



Questionnaire name MAGHRENOV questionnaire. Vision paper for an ERA-NET+

Number of participants 12

Participants field of activities Research centres and Universities 67%

Business sector 25%

Politics and public admin. 8%

Country of precedence Morocco, Italy, Lebanon, Spain, Jordan, Tunisia

Number of questions 6

Number of comments 19

Organisation of discussions

The organisation of the questions was structured upon the two following options:

- One on ERA-NET+: Is the creation of an ERA-NET+ for Innovation in RE&EE a sustainable solution for the establishment of a Euro-Mediterranean Innovation Space?

o What should an ERA-NET+ be according to you?

o What are the main obstacles to its creation?

o Can these obstacles be dealt with? If yes, how?

- One on alternative options to an Era-net+: What could be an alternative to the creation of an ERA-NET+?

o Option 1: Should the organisation of joint calls for proposals through “soft” agreements (such as MoUs, etc.) be continued? Should they be organised jointly with the co-funding and co-ownership principle by European and MPC organisations?

o Option 2: is it possible to create an undertaking offering business creation support services, start-up incubations, innovation project call for proposals in Mediterranean Partner Countries? Is there a need for this kind of services? Should it be a public or private organisation? Should it be a joint Euro-Mediterranean model?

1.3 Relation to other Work Packages and Deliverables This vision paper on an ERA-NET+ (D4.3) is linked to the clustering activities of the MAGHRENOV project as the answers to the questionnaire on ERA NET+ were collected thanks to the MAGHRENOV network of associated partners (see deliverable D4.2 “Organisation of a network of associated partners”). In this context, the collected data of the questionnaire will be available to the network of the R2I projects and could be used for advancing our common reflection on the Euro-Mediterranean Meta-Cluster concept in view of the deliverable D6.4.

Furthermore, this vision paper on ERA-NET+ is part of the policy shaping exercise alongside with the three white papers that will be delivered under WP6:

o White paper concerning new educational entrepreneurial programs (D6.1) o White paper concerning new adequate infrastructure (D6.2) o White paper concerning innovative business stimulation (D6.3)

1.4 Structure of the deliverable This vision paper will first report on the ‘organised brainstorming’ regarding the possibility to create an ERA-NET+ assessing its advantages and the obstacles that could prevent its materialisation. Then it will



focus on other alternatives beyond the ERA-NET+ option with, on the one hand the continuity of the MAGHRENOV joint Call for proposals, and on the other hand the establishment of a joint infrastructure by private organisation. Finally, the vision paper will draw conclusions on the best option possible to make MAGHRENOV a sustainability project.



2 ERA-NET +

2.1 Definition of an ERA-NET + The creation and development of a European Research Area aims at improving the coordination and strengthening the networking across Europe regarding research programmes.

The ERA-NET project was launched in 2002, under the 6th Framework Programme (FP6), to support the collaboration of national research programmes. Then, it came within the FP7 framework, also with ERA-NET Plus, which was the name for the European Union's Research and Innovation funding programme for 2007-2013. Today, the current programme is the Horizon 2020, but there are many projects funded under FP7 which are still running.

Among the main achievements of ERA-NET are (1) the 483 million euros invested in the ERA-NET scheme between 2002 and 2013; (2) the high level of involvement and participation among EU member States, Associated Countries and Third Countries (an overall of 72 countries); and (3) the implementation of a total of 359 joint calls from 2004 to 2014.4

2.1.1 What is an ERA-NET?

ERA-NET is considered as an opportunity for countries to get involved into projects and initiatives that need a collective and multidimensional approach. This scheme has numerous benefits in the field of cooperation and networking, especially because it facilitates the exchange of good practices, integrates financial and evaluation standards, sets the continuity for the collaboration and promotes the strategic planning and implementation of joint activities.

“The objective of the ERA-NET scheme is to step up the cooperation and coordination of research activities carried out at national or regional level in the Member States and Associated States through:

1. The networking of research activities conducted at national or regional level, and

2. The mutual opening of national and regional research programmes”5

It is worth pointing out three ERA NET related to energy which can be a good examples of project execution and implementation in the field of innovation and renewable energy.

• PV-ERA-NET6

PV-ERA-NET, coordinated by the Jülich Research Centre (Germany), focused on the potential benefits and opportunities that the development of the solar energy and PV can have by bringing together knowledge and key partners in order to share information and best practices for researching and implementation activities. The main objective is to create to create a stable network of national and regional research programmes linked to EC programmes, industry and other organisations in the field of PV technology. The project also took in count the market dimension by strengthening the position of the European PV technology in the worldwide market.

• SmartGrids7

4 Niehoff, Jörg, “The ERA-NET scheme from FP6 to Horizon 2020”, Research and Innovation Report, European Commission, October 2014, https://www.kowi.de/Portaldata/2/Resources/fp/Report-ERA-NET-FP6-H2020.pdf 5 ERA-NET scheme, http://cordis.europa.eu/coordination/era-net.htm, retrieved on 19.10.2015

6 More information about PV-ERA-NET on its factsheet https://ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/pdf/era-net/fact_sheets/fp6/era-net_pv-era-net_en.pdf#view=fit&pagemode=none



The SmartGrids project, coordinated by SenterNovem (Netherlands), addressed the consumer’s perspective in order to create a reliable and affordable technology, taking in count the environmental-friendly point of view. Its actions intended to build a smart, clean and cost-efficient infrastructure to improve the European energy system and to ensure its sustainability.

• INNER8

The INNER project, coordinated by the Jülich Research Centre (Germany), worked in the field of energy supplies challenges, taking in mind the objectives for 2020 and 2030 for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. It also aimed at improving the co-operation between national research programmes making a special stress on the emerging technologies.

2.1.2 The ERA-NET+ concept

ERA-NET+ was introduced as an additional new module under the 7th Framework Programme. Its main objective is to develop and strengthen the coordination of national and regional research programmes, allowing trans-national funding for calls, also with European Union funding. ERA-NET + are distinguished from simple ERANET by pooling budgets from EU Member states, EU Partner countries, EU and possibly Industry. Additional money is devoted to overpass networking activities (exchange of knowledge, good practices, consolidated shared visions and agendas/roadmaps) by supporting targeted actions.

“The ERA-NET under Horizon 2020 merges the former ERA-NET and ERA-NET Plus into a single instrument with the central and compulsory element of implementing one substantial call with top-up funding from the Commission”.9

Under this framework, transnational research projects can count with more funding support and gain relevance and added value into the innovation agendas. Financial contributions of Member States can be in cash or in kind in order to broaden the scope of ERA-NETs towards the coordination institutional funding of governmental research organizations.10

ERA-NET+ provides added value to research programmes and helps the identification and coordination of proposals between national and regional programmes and authorities.

The main priorities of an ERA-NET+ are described below:

7 More information on its factsheet https://ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/pdf/era-net/fact_sheets/fp7/smartgrids_en.pdf#view=fit&pagemode=none 8 More information on its factsheet https://ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/pdf/era-net/fact_sheets/fp6/inner_en.pdf#view=fit&pagemode=none 9 ERA-NET in Horizon 2020, http://ec.europa.eu/research/era/era-net-in-horizon-2020_en.html , retrieved on 01.10.2015 10 ERA-NET in Horizon 2020, http://ec.europa.eu/research/era/era-net-in-horizon-2020_en.html , retrieved on 01.10.2015



Figure 1: What should be the priority target in using the pooled money?

Regarding the priority target, there is no predominant answer. In fact, the 3 options present very similar values: 5 points for the promotion of research and innovation between European and Partner Countries, 4 answers for the establishment of a bridge between Euro-Mediterranean regional priorities, and 3 points for the capacity building in the fields of knowledge database, human factor and research and testing infrastructures. This lack of consensus reflects two ideas. First, the wide scope of activities that ERA-NET+ can offer; and second, the divergence of expectations and goals between the members of the Consortium and the Partners, due to their specific field of work (67% of participants come from research centres and universities).

Two important initiatives are worth mentioning regarding the promotion of the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation. They can be considered as a further step to develop the opportunities for building a common knowledge and Innovation Space in the Euro-Med region.

• ERANETMED

Following the Conference of Barcelona in 2012, ERANETMED was created aiming at promoting research and innovation in the Euro-Mediterranean region. The main goals of the project are (1) to address the societal challenges in the area in a sustainable relation of cooperation; and (2) to reduce the fragmentation in the Euro-Mediterranean area by increasing coordination among national research programmes of European Member States, Associated Countries and Mediterranean Partner Countries. To fully achieve this, actions take in count applied research, strategic scientific activities, capacity building, mobility, clustering and networking in order to build a long-lasting and stable cooperation beyond ERANET. As this project will end in October 2017, the creation of a euro Mediterranean ERA NET + will go in the continuity of the dynamic set up by ERANETMED by adding a clear focus on innovation in the RE and EE sector.

• PRIMA

This Joint Research Programme aims at establishing a long-term structured partnership in research and innovation in the Mediterranean area regarding food production and water. The Maltese Presidency has taken the PRIMA very seriously and they would like to launch and run prima by 2018. The institutional

42%

25%

33%

Q.1.Toyouropinionwhatshouldbetheprioritytargetinusingthepooledmoney?

Op#on1:Promoteresearchandinnova#onbetweenEuropeanandPartnerCountries

Op#on2:Capacitybuilding

Op#on3:EstablishabridgebetweenEuroMediterraneanregionalpriori#es



format could be run either under a co-funding mechanism (up to 200 M€ budget) or under a full Joint undertaking using art. 185 or 187.

2.2 Main obstacles for successful ERA-NET+ Two types of potential obstacles to the creation of an ERA NET+ have been identified with MAGHRENOV’s associated partners. Firstly, the lack of political will of participating countries, secondly the lack of funding which would threatened the sustainability of such a platform.

2.2.1 Political will and divergence of interests

The political will and the national authorities’ commitment have been identified as one of the most important challenges for the ERA-NET+ initiative. This is due to the strong link between the political scope and the availability of public funding for research activities. Promoting the awareness between political key actors from Europe and from the MPC will have an impact on:

- The political and innovation agenda

- The public policy drafting

- The funding available

- The external support to continue the development of the ERA-NET+

- The promotion of stable relations between countries and multilateral cooperation (knowledge sharing, networking, research activities)

- New business opportunities and market development (stakeholders, start-ups, industry…)

Figure 3: What are the main obstacles to the creation of an ERA-NET+?

The respondents have identified the political commitment as the main obstacle for the creation of a stable ERA-NET+: 8+1 respondents agree that the political commitment is the first obstacle that ERA-NET+ has to deal with.

ERA NET+ will have to face the risk that represents the divergence of political interests. Every country has its own means, its own industry and its main priorities regarding business, technology and market

3

8

1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Op#on1:Dependenceonpublicfunding

Op#on2:Poli#calcommitment

Op#on3:Bothdependenceonpublicfundingandpoli#cal

commitment

Q.3:WhatarethemainobstaclestothecreaBonofanERA-NET+?



development. Therefore, there is a high risk for some authorities not to get involved in projects that will not have a direct impact on their main activities. ERA-NET+ has to promote and ensure that this cooperation will bring benefits to all partners and will help to improve the sustainability and the welfare, in order to address the societal challenges that both European and South Mediterranean societies are facing nowadays.

2.2.2 The financial hurdle

The second challenge that ERA-NET+ has to face is the unbalanced commitment from Participating States. The fact that financial support often differ from one State to another can be explained by the difference of research capacities and/or programme volumes that these countries can offer for research and innovation activities. For instance, Germany and the UK alone represent one third of the public funding mobilised in the ERA-NET+ sample.11 EU 12 contribution is comparatively very low and represents only 5% of the public funding mobilised by ERA-NETs. This issue has to be further analysed together with the Participating States in order to engage then into a more stable relation for funding. The support has to be sustainable in order to ensure the continuity of the ERA-NET+.

3 Going beyond the ERA-NET+ approach The questionnaire about the Consortium and partners’ vision on ERA-NET+ was also an opportunity to explore and go further into the possibilities for the future of research and innovation activities in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

Taking into account its key obstacles, one could go beyond the ERA-NET+ approach in two different directions: (1) the follow-up of the MAGHRENOV joint call (in a similar way as the current MAGHRENOV’s Work Package 4), meaning the prolongation of its activities in a stable network or (2) the establishment of a joint undertaking by public and/or private organizations, in a similar way as the KIC IE model.

11 Niehoff, Jörg, “The ERA-NET scheme from FP6 to Horizon 2020”, Research and Innovation Report, European Commission, October 2014, https://www.kowi.de/Portaldata/2/Resources/fp/Report-ERA-NET-FP6-H2020.pdf



Figure 4: What could be an alternative to the creation of an ERA-NET+?

At this stage, the majority of participants agreed that ERA-NET+ could go further into an extension of the EIT model focused on the Euro-Mediterranean collaboration for innovation (which is the key goal for the MAGHRENOV project). This clear majority of answers in Option 2 can be analysed from a strategic point of view as long as this will keep promoting the collaboration between the European and the Maghreb countries. As the respondents come mostly from the research and business fields, this could be an opportunity to widen the network and make it more stable.

3.1 Option 1: the follow-up of the MAGHRENOV joint Call for proposals

The first option would be to continue the experience of Work Package 4 of the MAGHRENOV project with the annual or bi-annual launch of call for innovative projects bringing together partners from both shores of the Mediterranean.

As stated in the DoW, “MAGHRENOV will support innovation and stimulate the exchange ofexperiencesandpotentialbylaunchinganexperimentalcallandbrokerageeventsforjointinnovativeprojects by initially bringing together KIC IE, IRESEN and ANME potential. Task 4.A: Launch anexperimental call and brokerage events for joint innovative projects in the area of RE&EE, andencapsulating this initiative in a sustainable structure. R&DMaroc will organise thematicmeetings,BtoB,foridentifyingcollaborativeprojectsbridgingbetweenR&Dobtainedresultsandinnovation(KICSE/R&DMaroc). Deliverables:4.1,4.4

3.1.1 Rationale and objectives

The launch of the call for proposals “MOR EU call 2015”, with its brokerage event, aimed at encapsulating and fostering joint innovative projects in the area of RE&EE in the Euro-Med region, and notably between Morocco and Europe.

17%

75%

Q.5:WhatcouldbeanalternaBvetothecreaBonofanERA-NET+?

Op#on1:Con#nuityofMAGHRENOVjointCallforproposals

Op#on2:ExtensionoftheEITmodeltotheEuro-Mediterraneancollabora#on

Op#on3:Bothop#onscanbeconsidered



The methodology adopted for this first call for proposal and brokerage event was to launch a joint-funded call by two organizations – both MAGHRENOV consortium members- with similar activities and objectives from both sides of the Mediterranean shore. In this perspective, KIC IE (Europe) and IRESEN (Morocco) decided to initiate this original and never seen before cooperation to support concrete innovative initiatives.

Having two innovation co-funding organizations from the different part of the Euro-Med region was clearly a key condition to foster a true and sincere exchange of experience and knowledge between both institutions. For instance, whereas the ROI (Return on Investment) method is very original for calls in Morocco and for international call in general, the Moroccan RE&EE market and its specificities are not so well known by European companies and industries.

The MAGHRENOV call for innovative projects was the first of its kind in the sector but also for the two funding organizations.

The common objective of this joint exercise was to foster joint innovation project across the Mediterranean Sea. It also aims to, on one hand to transfer the experience of international calls of KIC IE and its knowledge to the Moroccan partner IRESEN, and on the other hand to experience and apply this specific methodology to a market (Morocco) with several original characteristics through the experience and knowledge of IRESEN to KIC InnoEnergy.

Two (2) projects out of nine (9) eligible proposals were selected for funding by the MLAC (MAGHRENOV Level Assessment Committee) and both Executive boards of the funding institutions (IRESEN and KIC InnoEnergy) validated this decision. The two projects are now invited to perform and implement their WP0 in preparation of the “GO/NO GO” evaluation in a six (6) months period of time which will approve the final funding and the kick-off of the projects or not.

Furthermore, given the novelty of the exercise and the learning process needed by European and Moroccan actors in the RE & EE field to address such joint call for proposals, a certain number of project proposals submitted this year were not ready or sufficiently prepared for the call. The relatively limited period of the call (2,5 months) also explains this result and despite an important effort to accompany all relevant proposals until the submission, the time constraint was an important obstacle.

Nonetheless, the final result of the selection procedure reveals that there is high potential for future calls such as this one, based on joint funding by Euro-Mediterranean partners and based knowledge sharing and common problem solving.

Given the novelty of this collaboration and of the type of call for proposals, the first edition can be considered a success despite the lower outcome of funded projects than expected.

For future calls it would be interesting to widen the call to Tunisia by integrating a third co-funding organisation from Tunisia or to associate with already existing calls to increase the linkage between the Euro-Med region and foster more co-funding and joint problem solving initiatives. Currently it is not possible to widen the call to Tunisia, as ANME is lacking some crucial funding. More generally Tunisia does not have yet the necessary infrastructures like the Moroccan ones with IRESEN.

3.1.2 Establishment of a formal agreement to continue the joint-calls for proposals

A formal agreement between two or three partners will be necessary to guaranty the continuation of the collaboration after the MAGHRENOV project. The parties of this agreement should be one European partner (KIC, EC, EIT, etc.) and one MPC (IRESEN, ANME, etc.).

Ideally, it would be worth continuing the collaboration between KIC SE and IRESEN, and widen it up to other private or semi-private organisations in the Mediterranean region. During the International Conference of MAGHRENOV on 11-12 February 2016, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) might be signed between KIC InnoEnergy and IRESEN.

There are different possibilities of agreement including the signing of the Memorandum of understanding – MoU or the creation of a common fund for innovation projects. These options should be further discussed



during the final year of the MAGHRENOV project. Namely, calls should be extended on the basis of KIC IE and IRESEN own funds.



3.2 Option 2: Exportation of KIC IE model to Maghreb This second alternative to the creation of an ERA NET+ is the exportation of the KIC IE model and its replication to the Maghreb region. This option is designed to overcome the obstacles of an ERA-NET+ by using the private sector approach: investing in marketable innovations.

The different activities of the MAGHRENOV project have shown the needs in terms of business creation support and innovation projects support across the Euro-Med region. The establishment of a joint infrastructure composed of private organisation and based on the Innovation booster and market uptake model developed by KIC InnoEnergy in Europe but also by IRESEN and their joint call for proposals will fulfil these needs.

3.2.1 Rationale and objectives

The establishment of a joint structure, in addition to demonstrating the positive impact in terms of integrated collaboration and a true sustainable development contributing to reducing poverty, will allow to develop a market uptake and innovation booster based on exchange of knowledge, experiences and best practices which can be replicated in other Euro-Med countries, thus creating, through a step-by-step or spill-over effect, the Common Euro-Med Innovation Space.

Reducing poverty through sustainable development in the RE & EE field

This model based on a joint undertaking is aligned with the objectives of the EU when it comes to its European Neighbourhood policy instrument (ENI). 12 The model will help achieving some of the ENI objectives:

• progressive integration into the Union internal market and enhanced sector and cross-sectoral cooperation including through:

o legislative approximation and regulatory convergence towards Union and other relevant international standards: there will be a necessary legal and regulatory convergence due to the nature of the “joint” projects and the pressure from the private sector to harmonize legislation;

o institution building: creating the necessary business creation support infrastructure based on public-private sectors collaboration (public and private funding);

o investments in key innovative projects with high economic potential

• sustainable and inclusive development in all aspects: development of innovative technologies to improve the energy resources and supplies in a sustainable way

o Increase of the technologic and knowledge exchange to develop together new skills and tools that will have a societal impact;

o Promotion of cooperation at all levels (regional, national, international). It will help to promote, not only in the energy sector but indirectly in other fields as human rights, good governance, cohesion and integration;

o Development of new management ways for natural resources (water, energy, climate change and demographic challenges) that will help achieving equality and the reduction of poverty.

• poverty reduction, including through private-sector development: development of the energy private sector through increased competition and market uptake boosters

12 REGULATION (EU) No 232/2014 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 11 March 2014 establishing a European Neighbourhood Instrument, 15.3.2014, p.14



• promotion of internal economic, social and territorial cohesion in the MPC countries (notably Morocco in this first stage) will allow to test and to develop technologies. In addition, it will be beneficial to create jobs and to integrate isolated areas through new activities linked to the renewable energies specific needs (solar, wind energy: need of big areas. It will end up in boosting the development of rural regions.

• Climate action: RE and EE to tackle the carbon emission and to lower the reliance on high carbon energies. The next Conference on Climate Change (COP 22) will be held in Morocco.

Toward a real Common knowledge and Innovation Space in the Euro-Med region

This model will serve as a basis for the creation of regional platform, which is today missing, and which will support the Common Knowledge and Innovation Space, notably through:

• The development of co-funding and co-ownership mechanisms;

• Developing a spirit of joint problem solving;

• Fostering innovation and their uptake to the different markets (EU, MPC, Subsaharian etc.);

• Initiating the work of elimination of mental silos existing today between the different key actors of innovations (Universities, Research Centers, Start-ups, industrials) and which limit innovation and its market uptake;

• Create the proper tools to foster business creation through services such as incubators, joint ventures, trainings, etc.

Energy security at the heart of the model

• Challenge of the increase of the demand of energy in the coming years, notably in the next 20 years in the Southern shore of the Euro-Med region: demographic increase, acceleration of the developments of the MPC, notably Morocco and Tunisia.

• Fostering new technologies in the Energy field will create new opportunities and diversification processes of the energy resources, while simultaneously creating the proper environment for the development of import and export solutions through concrete collaboration which creates the necessary trust, cultural knowledge and partner spirit in the region.

• In the long term, this “partnership” spirit should be used as a basis to diversify the European energy importations and exportations.

3.2.2 Opportunities offered by a local infrastructure based on the KIC IE co-location model of innovation support

This model would be composed of three key aspects:

1. Fostering Innovation projects

• Sustainability of the joint call for proposals initiated through MAGHRENOV,

• Need of 3-4M€ / year to finance new innovation projects gathering European and Moroccan organisation to create new joint businesses

2. Start-up incubators and business creation services 3. Creating and training the future leaders and actors in RE & EE: joint Master programmes

In order to materialize this second option, one could consider allocating EIT funds to a self-standing KIC entity in Maghreb. Yet currently there is no ‘international policy’ in the EIT’s portfolio.



Another way would be to create an additional colocation centre in Maghreb belonging to KIC InnoEnergy SE thanks to the ‘outreach policy’ of the EIT. A specific and natural thematic field of this colocation centre would be the Nexus food-water-energy in the Mediterranean. The funds would then come from different sources: EIT and MPC. The ERANETMED legal frame can be set an example to channel the funds. The political support of the 5+5 group would be welcome to create such structure, as well as UfM (Union for the Mediterranean).

The perimeter of activities of this colocation centre would involve at least 5 projects per year and the geographical scope should be clearly defined depending on the political will of the countries.

Figure 2: Which services could be offered in the Mediterranean Partner Countries by this infrastructure?13

This question covers four possible services that could be offered by such infrastructure and its further development. Innovation calls for proposals and business creation are the top two options for the partners, which is also in the line of the Consortium’s and partners’ background (research and business sector). At this point, the education of game changers appears in a relevant 3rd position, as there is an interest of building common network of knowledge and training across the Euro-Mediterranean area. Finally, the start-ups incubator appears as the less voted option, probably because it can be considered as the last stage of the success in innovation calls, but also in business services and the education of game changers.

13 Note on the methodology: this question is a multiple choice one, that’s why the data appears in an aggregated way for each service

5

1

6

3

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Op#on1:Businesscrea#onsupport

services

Op#on2:Start-upincuba#ons

Op#on3:Innova#onprojectcallforproposals

Op#on4:Educa#onofEuro-Mediterranean‘gamechangers’

Q.6:WhichservicescouldbeofferedintheMediterraneanPartnerCountriesbythisinfrastructure?



4 General Conclusion

4.1 Will there be support to go further than the ERA-NET+ concept?

From the answers received, there is a clear incentive to create an ERA NET+ after the end of the MAGHRENOV project. For question 2 there is a huge majority of “yes” answers (see figure below) which means that nearly all participants agree with the vision that ERA-NET+ can be a first step to consolidate the Euro-Mediterranean Innovation Space. The comments stress the importance of promoting Research and Innovation between countries and the opportunity that this initiative represents to build a stable market relationship in the Euro-Mediterranean Area. On the other hand, the “no” answer focuses on how ERA-NET+ should address the RE+EE in the same way that the EU calls, which is also an interesting point of view that could cover other ways of building bridges between regions and countries. Despite this, we can state that there is some consensus between the partners of the Consortium when it comes to identify the potential benefits of developing the EMIS.

Figure 5: Is the creation of an ERA-NET+ for Innovation in RE&EE a sustainable solution for the establishment of a Euro-Mediterranean Innovation Space?

Comments received

! "You should be devoted more innovation and research support project"

! "There is the need to create a favourable innovation mindset in the Euromed area"

! "Yes, for an ERANET for EMIS with an objective to integrate a more sustainable EUROMED

92%

8%

Q.2:IsthecreaBonofanERA-NET+forInnovaBoninRE&EEasustainablesoluBonfortheestablishmentofaEuro-Mediterranean

InnovaBonSpace?

Yes No



initiative PRIMA"

! "These two structures offer a lot of opportunities to researchers to make their tests real and practical because they develop applied research at open sky laboratories"

! ERA-Net+ support to innovation projects should target projects which are very close to the market

! "ERA-NET+ will be more than a bridge to promote research and innovation in the Euro-Mediterranean space"

! Hopefully ERANET + should address the implementation of infrastructure in RE&EE in the same way that of EU calls"

! In any case, synergies and coordination with existing initiatives dealing with the same issues should be created and guaranteed in order to avoid overlaps

The six ‘Southern’ R2I projects could create an ERA-NET Meta-cluster bringing together Mediterranean Partner Countries with:

- 27 Research centres and Universities

- 8 National Agencies & Chambers of Commerce

- 4 Enterprises

- 26 Networks & technology transfer organisation

This proposition will be further developed in D6.4 “Positioning paper on R2I projects, INCONET and Bilat in the region”.

4.2 Need of financial guarantees and political back-up The first obstacle to launch a euro-Mediterranean ERA-NET+ is the financial implication needed by the participating states. When it comes to funding instruments, it is worth mentioning the Article 185 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). This article enables the EU to participate in research programmes undertaken jointly by several Member States, including participation in the structures created for the execution of national programmes with up to 25-50% co-funding by the EU14. It says as follows:

In implementing the multiannual framework programme, the Union may make provision, in agreement with the Member States concerned, for participation in research and development programmes undertaken by several Member States, including participation in the structures created for the execution of those programmes15.

This is complemented also by the Article 187, which opens the debate for founding sources:

14 European Commission, ERA-NET https://ec.europa.eu/research/era/art-185_en.htm 15 Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Accessible on http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:12012E/TXT&from=EN



The Union may set up joint undertakings or any other structure necessary for the efficient execution of Union research, technological development and demonstration programmes.16

The political-will obstacle is a very strong one that could prevent the creation of an ERA-NET+.

All participants agreed that both obstacles can be dealt to ensure the continuity and sustainability of ERA-NET+. In their comments, each participant stressed different measures that could be arranged to offer an answer to these challenges: form political pressure, to search for some other financial resources and the promotion of collaboration and networking at all levels, including the regional point of view.

Figure 1: Do you think that these obstacles can be dealt with?

Comments received

! By seeking other sources of funding in the private sector

! More political pressure, more exploitation/ awareness raising on success case

! Identify key political players from the EU and other Euro-Mediterranean countries, communicate benefits of involving political parties and relative private sectors (innovation, economic development, sustainability, etc...) and create an agenda with milestones to successful change.

! By creating through various means, “EUROMED Communities of interests” in the priority sectors

! Advocacy and showing tangible value to stakeholders

! Promote the convergence of multidisciplinary projects following the NEXUS concept due to the actual EU prioritization. Support the creation of cooperation and financial partnerships among researchers, SMEs, investors, institutions active on water/energy/agriculture challenges. Strengthening trilateral financial synergies / co-funding (EU-MPC) in identified challenges. More research cooperation based on equal participation / co-ownership of EU and MPC researchers.

16 Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Accessible on http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:12012E/TXT&from=EN

100%

Q.4: Do you think that these obstacles can be dealt with?

Yes



Increased support for multilateral cooperation targeted at increasing quality and quantity of high–potential start-ups. A tighter cooperation among financing institutions and instruments will create a critical mass of excellence and will help to create a leverage effect. Regional approach must be also considered, including build of knowledge share and efficient transfer of mechanism for the use of research results at regional level, common monitoring/observatory mechanisms, technology share, NEXUS strategies/policies alignment.

! With new funding agency (not only in charge of research as in ERANETMED) for Tunisia we must add APII (Agency for the Promotion of Industry and Innovation) or Minister of Industry (in charge of innovation funding)

! We must work closely and with clear timing planning. This will push all engaged to respect their commitments.

! These obstacles can be overcome through financial support to make ERA-NET+ a sustainable collaboration in the Mediterranean area.

! These obstacles can be dealt with as the idea is very attractive and may contribute to RE&EE support as well as EU MPC cooperation reinforcement

! Encourage a high level and stable policy dialogue among involved countries which can support specific initiatives in order to make it easier the commitment of funds.

4.3 The creation of a KIC in the Maghreb region? There is a threat of non-sustainability of an ERA-NET+ actions, notably due to political obstacles with a potential lack of political will to provide a real platform and financial means to establish and develop it or even opposition to the creation of such a platform. Those political obstacles can make the whole Energy Innovation environment fragile and have to be overcome through strategic actions and proposals.

As ERA-NET+ requires both a strong political will and financial investments from the Member states and MPCs, this option could be difficult to materialize.

When the European Neighbourhood Policy was launched in 2004, the energy partnership among the neighbour countries appeared as a strategic element for this instrument. The text also settled the basis to improve the dialogue and cooperation between the partners to achieve the convergence of the energy policies in order to build a stable energy network and a regulatory environment.

At this point, the recent review of the ENP can be seen as a strong incentive to strengthen the political commitment in order to further develop the cooperation opportunities within the Euro-Med region. In its Joint Communication17 the EEAS and the European Commission set the energy cooperation as the second highest priority in the framework of the ENP. The main actions are18:

1. Support greater energy independence through support to diversification of energy sources, better cooperation on energy efficiency, and transition to the low carbon economy;

2. Set a new framework for cooperation with partners beyond the neighborhood.

17 Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy, Joint Communication to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of Regions (18.11.2015), http://eeas.europa.eu/enp/documents/2015/151118_staff-working-document_en.pdf 18 18 Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy, Joint Communication to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of Regions (18.11.2015), http://eeas.europa.eu/enp/documents/2015/151118_staff-working-document_en.pdf



These initiatives are in the line with the main goals for MAGHRENOV and the creation of the EMIS. If the EU is committed to strengthen its energy dialogue with its neighboring countries we might have a first step to encourage the participation and the building of a stable energy network across the Euro Mediterranean region.

But, if we want to see the future at this point, we have to come back to the key question: how big should be this project? What is the perimeter of the activities? What are the instruments that we have? What are the potential beneficiaries?

At this point, we have to address the beneficiaries of the instrument. There are three kind of actors: public authorities supporting projects, technological platforms (like KIC) and people who execute the programs. If we want to find a new scenario beyond ERA-NET+ the idea could be an injection of money into a body or an institution which could run programs (not only projects). Again, the main question remains clear: which would be the actors and the relationship around the instrument? How the money would be channeled? How it will be used?

Taking in count the potential benefits that brings the Article 185 and 187 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, there might be an opportunity to accommodate a collocation centre, responsible for specific topics. This centre could group money, coming from different sources, not only from the EIT. This could be the nexus water-food-energy and it could be located in the Maghreb region. The beneficiaries could be not only the ministries but other institutions and other private entities. The perimeter would be similar as ERA-NET+ (10-20 ME) meaning 10-20 projects. At this stage, it would be necessary to find money from other sources, like the partner countries. For this we have the good example of the ERANETMED initiative. A political back-up from European and MPC governments will also be needed to easier the replication of the EIT.

To conclude despite the benefits that could bring the creation of an ERA NET+ to the EMIS, an extension of the EIT model to the Maghreb - that could support innovation projects and business creation - seems to be the most sustainable option.



5 References REGULATION (EU) No 232/2014 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 11 March 2014 establishing a European Neighbourhood Instrument, 15.3.2014

Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, (2012 version) http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:12012E/TXT&from=EN, retrieved on 27.11.2015

Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy, Joint Communication to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of Regions (18.11.2015), http://eeas.europa.eu/enp/documents/2015/151118_staff-working-document_en.pdf, retrieved on 1.12.2015

European Commission, ERA-NET Article 185, https://ec.europa.eu/research/era/art-185_en.htm, retrieved on 26.11.2015

European Neighbourhood Policy Strategy Paper (2004), http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52004DC0373&from=EN, retrieved on 1.12.2015

Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy: stronger partnerships for a stronger neighbourhood (18.11.2015) http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-6121_en.htm and retrieved on 1.12.2015

Niehoff, Jörg, “The ERA-NET scheme from FP6 to Horizon 2020”, Research and Innovation Report, European Commission, October 2014, https://www.kowi.de/Portaldata/2/Resources/fp/Report-ERA-NET-FP6-H2020.pdf

Euro-Mediterranean cooperation in the area of Research and Innovation, https://ec.europa.eu/research/conferences/2012/euro-mediterranean/index_en.cfm?pg=about , retrieved on 27.10.2015

ERA-NET scheme, http://cordis.europa.eu/coordination/era-net.htm, retrieved on 19.10.2015

ERA-NET in Horizon 2020, http://ec.europa.eu/research/era/era-net-in-horizon-2020_en.html , retrieved on 01.10.2015

PV-ERA-NET Project, https://ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/pdf/era-net/fact_sheets/fp6/era-net_pv-era-net_en.pdf#view=fit&pagemode=none, retrieved on 27.11.2015

SmartGrids Project, https://ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/pdf/era-net/fact_sheets/fp7/smartgrids_en.pdf#view=fit&pagemode=none, retrieved on 27.11.2015

INNER Project, https://ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/pdf/era-net/fact_sheets/fp6/inner_en.pdf#view=fit&pagemode=none, retrieved on 27.11.2015



6 Annex: Questionnaire on ERA-NET+

MAGHRENOV questionnaire Vision paper for an ERA-NET+

MAGHRENOV addresses Mediterranean innovative markets in the field of Renewable Energies (RE) and Energy Efficiency (EE) with three main objectives:

1) Explore practical methods devoted to capacity building and to fostering innovation on Mediterranean RE& EE markets;

2) Favour convergence between EU and Mediterranean Partner Countries (MPCs) initiatives both for the development of sustainable energies adapted to regional specificities and for the establishment of a shared and dynamic Research and Innovation Systems (R&IS) in the domain;

3) Create real mobility between young academics and entrepreneurs in both regions (EU and MPC) making use of the build-up capacity.

After two year of implementation, the MAGHRENOV project is entering a new phase exploring several opportunities, among them the creation of an ERA NET + platform, to consolidate its achievements and make them sustainable.

The objective of this short questionnaire is to get a general overview of the main benefits and potential challenges of an ERA-NET+ platform (European Research Area Network) in order to prepare a Vision Paper. Your answers will allow us to evaluate the feasibility of the creation of a future ERA-NET + platform, through which the European Commission would support the organisation of joint calls between national research programmes by “topping-up” joint trans-national funding with European funding.



Question 1: ERANET + are distinguished from simple ERANET by pooling budgets from EU Member states, EU Partner countries, EU and possibly Industry. Additional money is devoted to overpass networking activities (exchange of knowledge, good practices, consolidated shared visions and agendas/roadmaps) by supporting targeted actions. To your opinion what should be the priority target in using the pooled money?

Option 1: Build a bridge to promote research and innovation between European and Partner Countries.

Option 2: Capacity building (knowledge database, human factor, research and testing infrastructures).

Option 3: Establish a bridge between Euro-Mediterranean regional priorities and the "world leading" in knowledge.

Option 4: Other, please comment.

Question 2: Is the creation of an ERA-NET + for Innovation in RE&EE a sustainable solution for the establishment of a Euro-Mediterranean Innovation Space (EMIS)? In particular, can we consider a support to Innovation Projects (in the spirit shared by IRESEN and KIC IE) in addition to ERANET MED more devoted to research and demonstration activities?

Yes/No, Please comment.

Question 3: What are the main obstacles to the creation of an ERA-NET+?

Option 1: Dependence on public funding specifically dedicated to Innovation.

Option 2: Political commitment of many actors from the EU, other Euro-Mediterranean countries.

Question 4: Do you think that these obstacles can be dealt with, however? If yes, suggest how?

Please comment.

Question 5: What could be an alternative to the creation of an ERA-NET+?



Option 1: Continuity of MAGHRENOV joint Call for proposals using ad hoc support as it stands now.

Option 2: Extension of the EIT model (dedicated operational entity to work out the ‘knowledge triangle’) to the Euro-Mediterranean collaboration.

Question 6: Which services could be offered in the Mediterranean Partner Countries by this infrastructure?

Option 1: Business creation support services

Option 2: Start-up incubations

Option 3: Innovation project call for proposals

Option 4: Education of Euro-Mediterranean ‘game changers’

vision paper for an era-net+

Government & Nonprofit