The European Union, through DG NEAR, is launching the “Green and Circular Economy in the Southern Neighbourhood” programme to foster the green and circular economy (GCE) in the Mediterranean. The overall objective of this action is to support the green and circular economy in the Southern Neighbourhood region focusing on three levels of intervention: macro, meso and micro levels.

SPARK Ignite has been entrusted with implementing Component 2 (meso level) focusing on Business Support Organisations.

This 36-month project, with a budget of €5 million, aims to advance the cause of the green and circular economy (GCE) in the Southern Neighbourhood, fostering job creation, economic opportunities, and aligning with the principles of the European Green Deal.

The overall objective of the proposed action is to strengthen business support organisations’ capacity to act as ecosystem enablers, therefore bridging the gap between policy (macro) and SME (micro) levels in the Southern Neighbourhood in the transition to an inclusive green economy. This action is part of an overall green economy package composed of three components: policy (macro level), BSOs (meso level – this action) and SME (micro level).
In line with the specific objectives and expected outputs of planned activities described below, the action will lead to two main outcomes:

1. Outcome 1: strengthened local and regional networks of actors involved in the promotion of an inclusive green economy;

• Output 1.1: Enhancing the networking capacity of business support organisations on green economy transition and opportunities.
• Output 1.2: Workshops to encourage peer learning and partnerships.
• Output 1.3: Training programme for BSOs and innovation enablers.

2. Outcome 2: increased stakeholders’ and BSOs’ awareness and capacity to promote green and circular economy practices in the region, at micro, meso and macro levels.

• Output 2.1: Green Business Training Academy for BSOs.
• Output 2.2: Practicing toolbox with 10 SMEs per each.
• Output 2.3: Awareness raising campaign.
• Output 2.4: Digital eco-innovation platform.
• Output 2.5: : Establishing partner working groups between micro and macro ecosystem actors.