Curiost is an Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE based on the Greener Central Europe thematic priority. The project is focused on the circular economy and is dedicated to supporting SMEs and small mid-caps in developing sustainable products and new circular business models.
The project will support companies in strategic sectors such as: mechanics and mechatronics, packaging, plastics and construction.
Through an innovative and collaborative approach, Curiost aims to promote the adoption of environmentally friendly practices that reduce environmental impact, increase resource efficiency and promote the reuse of materials.
Curiost’s journey
During the journey, companies will be mentored and supported in integrating sustainability practices into their daily operations to explore new market opportunities, thereby contributing to the transition to a greener and more resilient economy.
The benefits of Curiost project
Support for sustainable development
Supporting SMEs in developing sustainable products and new circular business models, enabling them to stay competitive and meet the growing market demand for sustainable products
Meet the experts
Meet 11 partners from 7 different countries with complementary expertise in product development, business innovation, circular economy, and energy/environmental topics
Transnational networking
SMEs will be engaged in transnational and collaborative events. This cooperation will foster networking, idea exchange, and partnership opportunities across borders
Market competitiveness and opportunities
The project will facilitates cross-sectoral support needed by SMEs to adopt the latest technologies, improving their competitiveness in the market
Skills development
The project promotes adequate education and awareness of workers to reuse, repair, remanufacture, refurbish, and recycle products and materials, contributing to sustainable development goals
Network partners
Curiost is a project representing a coordinated group of 11 partners from 7 different countries with complementary expertise in product development, business innovation, circular economy, and energy/environmental topics.
- Austria: Business Upper Austria (Lead partner), ConPlusUltra Ltd.
- Croatia: STEP RI Science and Technology Park of the University of Rijeka Ltd., Development and Training Centre for the Metal Industry – Metal Centre Čakovec.
- Germany: Bayern Innovativ, Cluster of Environmental Technologies Bavaria.
- Hungary: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Pécs- Baranya
- Italy: MESAP Innovation Cluster, Environment Park – Science and Technology Park.
- Poland: South Poland Cleantech Cluster Ltd.
- Slovakia: University of Economics in Bratislava.
The circular economy: the background and the goal
The manufacturing industry across Central Europe is facing multiple challenges, undergoing a transformation towards a smarter and greener production paradigm in line with the EU Green Deal and striving for the consolidation and expansion of its position in the international competition at the same time.
To reach a fundamental sustainability transformation that will be considered a competitive advantage in the markets, an unconditional re-thinking of all relevant aspects of the manufacturing process is key.
The circular economy is an economic model designed to minimise waste and make efficient use of resources. The circular economy is based on values that promote closing the life cycle of products through strategies such as share, lend, reuse, repair, remanufacture, and recycling.
The overall goal of the circular economy is to create a self-sustaining and sustainable system that reduces pressure on natural resources, decreases environmental impact, and promotes responsible resource use while fostering innovation and sustainable economic growth.
Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE
Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE is a European Union funding programme that supports transnational cooperation in four thematic priorities. For more than 25 years, Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE has been bringing regions together beyond borders to find fitting solutions for their citizens – in a fair and equal way everywhere.
Currently there are 100 Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE projects to support a Smarter, Greener, More Connected Central Europe and Better Interreg Governance, that know no borders and cannot be solved alone.
For more info, follow Curiost on LinkedIn @curiost-interreg-central-europe and write an e-mail to: barbara.lalicata@envipark.com