Project co-financed by the ERDF
Eco-innovation and eco-innovation support: Summary of Existing situation analysis in Crete
This report provides insights to the European, national and regional environmental structures and the policies adopted in Greece and the region of Crete in particular in the field of eco-innovation. The aim is to analyse the existing situation and serve as a base for the development of a regional structure in order to foster innovative and environment friendly entrepreneurship in the region. It consists of a description of the national and regional eco-initiatives, and a combination of a thorough discussion on the way the regional structures (government and local administration, research bodies, etc.) support the development of eco-innovation and the adoption of environmental friendly practices up to now. The environmental performance and the eco-innovation capacity of SMEs and other key actors of the region are assessed through a combination of field and desk research.
In the context of the environmental and global challenges, eco-innovation has become one of the European Union’s priorities.
OANAK & Eco-Innovation Process
OANAK is one of the main actors in the field of (eco) innovation in the Region of Crete. Its aim is to strengthen innovation capacity in environmental issues and enforce sustainable development and growth in Cretan territory.
With MEDOSSIC project, OANAK wishes to identify all key factors which could contribute to the strengthening of regional eco-innovation capacity. To this direction, the present report constitutes an analysis on the existing situation and the progress achieved so far both from SMEs and public sector.
Eco-Innovation Structures
From the analysis implemented, it is verified that Crete constitutes a research and innovation centre which has great potential for the development of eco-innovation. With the support of the 5 Research Institutes in the island and the more than 80 research laboratories operating in it Universities and Research Centers in the field of Environment, Crete may play a leading role in the production and mainly the diffusion of eco-innovation in the Mediterranean and Middle East. However, strategic plan and focused effort is needed since the general reference with regards to the eco-innovation support system in Greece is that even though several aspects and incentive mechanisms were considered, finally its organisation and centralized orientation very often encumbered potential transfer of research results towards potential innovative investors.
Conclusions Problems & Needs
Extremely promising sectors for the production of eco-innovation are also organic farming and herbals cultivation, as well as the manufacturing sector of food and drinks and the tourist services, while less but still significant are the potential of the construction sector.
On the other hand, one can say that the eco-innovation support did not reach the actual interested parties as much as it was expected and as it should. This is mainly attributed to the fact that most of the efforts implemented under the scope of both European and national projects usually started and ended to the point where a web site was constructed and a hardcopy manual was released and printed. Thus eco-innovation culture needs more enforcement in Crete, in order to respond to the contemporary challenges for regional competitiveness and sustainability.
Considering the needs of the local SMEs and the difficulties observed, one can refer that a more “business -differentiated”, an SME- oriented approach is needed in order to bring added value from all the different initiatives, and enhance the competitiveness of the region in general. So far, the national policy employed a set of powerful financial instruments (especially in the energy sector) but invested little in the diffusion of information on new eco-technologies and environment friendly practices. To this direction, an integrated evaluation system of environmental research results needs to be established in order to raise awareness and prompt investment in eco-innovation.
Moreover, the adoption of environment friendly practices in general and the strengthening of eco-innovation in particular are necessary and inevitable choices in order to overcome environmental problems and strengthen competitiveness of the local economy. MEDOSSIC project is expected to reveal useful lessons from the problems encountered and build the bridge between successful results of environmental research with potential investors and existent SMEs.
print
In the context of the environmental and global challenges, eco-innovation has become one of the European Union’s priorities.
OANAK & Eco-Innovation Process
OANAK is one of the main actors in the field of (eco) innovation in the Region of Crete. Its aim is to strengthen innovation capacity in environmental issues and enforce sustainable development and growth in Cretan territory.
With MEDOSSIC project, OANAK wishes to identify all key factors which could contribute to the strengthening of regional eco-innovation capacity. To this direction, the present report constitutes an analysis on the existing situation and the progress achieved so far both from SMEs and public sector.
Eco-Innovation Structures
From the analysis implemented, it is verified that Crete constitutes a research and innovation centre which has great potential for the development of eco-innovation. With the support of the 5 Research Institutes in the island and the more than 80 research laboratories operating in it Universities and Research Centers in the field of Environment, Crete may play a leading role in the production and mainly the diffusion of eco-innovation in the Mediterranean and Middle East. However, strategic plan and focused effort is needed since the general reference with regards to the eco-innovation support system in Greece is that even though several aspects and incentive mechanisms were considered, finally its organisation and centralized orientation very often encumbered potential transfer of research results towards potential innovative investors.
Conclusions Problems & Needs
Extremely promising sectors for the production of eco-innovation are also organic farming and herbals cultivation, as well as the manufacturing sector of food and drinks and the tourist services, while less but still significant are the potential of the construction sector.
On the other hand, one can say that the eco-innovation support did not reach the actual interested parties as much as it was expected and as it should. This is mainly attributed to the fact that most of the efforts implemented under the scope of both European and national projects usually started and ended to the point where a web site was constructed and a hardcopy manual was released and printed. Thus eco-innovation culture needs more enforcement in Crete, in order to respond to the contemporary challenges for regional competitiveness and sustainability.
Considering the needs of the local SMEs and the difficulties observed, one can refer that a more “business -differentiated”, an SME- oriented approach is needed in order to bring added value from all the different initiatives, and enhance the competitiveness of the region in general. So far, the national policy employed a set of powerful financial instruments (especially in the energy sector) but invested little in the diffusion of information on new eco-technologies and environment friendly practices. To this direction, an integrated evaluation system of environmental research results needs to be established in order to raise awareness and prompt investment in eco-innovation.
Moreover, the adoption of environment friendly practices in general and the strengthening of eco-innovation in particular are necessary and inevitable choices in order to overcome environmental problems and strengthen competitiveness of the local economy. MEDOSSIC project is expected to reveal useful lessons from the problems encountered and build the bridge between successful results of environmental research with potential investors and existent SMEs.
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