-1.svg){kind=logo}
The Innovative Sustainable Economy Community (ISEC) Hub of the Mediterranean was officially launched on 11 October 2024, under the Interreg Euro-MED Programme. The launch event welcomed around 70 participants from across the region, marking the beginning of a collaborative effort to drive innovative, circular economy practices throughout the Mediterranean over the coming years. MIO-ECSDE plays a critical role as a partner in the ISEC Hub and proudly coordinates the activities under Pillar LEARN, focusing on knowledge transfer and capacity building.
The ISEC Hub is designed as a transnational platform, bringing together diverse Mediterranean stakeholders, including public institutions, NGOs, and start-ups, to enhance their capacity for innovation and promote sustainable economic models. The Hub aims to facilitate the process whereby project results will not only be shared but also replicated and integrated into national and regional policies across the Mediterranean.
The design process of the Hub was enriched with the outcomes of a consultation workshop held in March, where the Hub’s first members, known as Ambassadors, provided feedback on the digital tools and virtual spaces proposed for the Hub’s implementation (find out more here).
Currently, the ISEC Hub comprises 202 Members from 30 countries. The membership is expected to grow considerably over time to become an increasingly varied and inclusive space for collaboration.
MIO-ECSDE’s involvement centers on coordinating activities on fostering mutual learning among stakeholders and providing access to a wide range of educational resources. For this purpose, an e-Library has been created, including various webinars and educational materials to support the Mediterranean’s green and blue transition. The ISEC Hub will also be a space for the Interreg Euro-MED Thematic projects to transfer their results through specific tailor-made programmes, encouraging their uptake and replication by other actors. Stakeholders interested in participating can sign up via an online form (in English and French).
Key Objectives of the ISEC Hub are to:
- connect a community of actors driving the transition towards an Innovative Sustainable Economy in the Mediterranean (CONNECT)
- access and share knowledge, driving innovation across the region (LEARN)
- facilitate exchange of information and opportunities to further collaborate (SHARE)
- encourage the collaborative development of joint policy documents and impactful policy messages (COLLABORATE).
The event closed with a keynote speech by Claire Roumet of Energy Cities, Strategic partnerships, EU Policy & Overall Coordinator, on the importance of mainstreaming the concept of sufficiency in EU policies to achieve climate neutrality. Ms Roumet introduced the Manifesto: “A resilient and resource-wise Europe: sufficiency at the heart of the EU’s future” and shared some examples of local sufficiency plans in Grenoble, Brussels and Geneva, highlighting the key role of public services.
MIO-ECSDE is excited to be a part of this innovative Hub and looks forward to the collaborative work ahead. For further information about the ISEC Hub, the tools it provides and the steps to subscribe as a Member, visit its dedicated page.
Read in French here
