Sustainable agriculture

FINNOVA is a European Foundation supporting innovation funding to companies, regions and municipalities. Through networking and promotion of international cooperation,we provide communication vis-à-vis European bodies. As experts in communication,dissemination and exploitation of R&D results,we foster sustainable development and circular economy. We carry out the analysis of legal barriers in the EU to implement tech innovations, and best practices in the Member States.

In this regard, it has been a partner in the Interreg Poctep HIBA - HUB IBERIA AGROTECH Project, which promoted a Pluriregional ecosystem focused on the digitalization of the agri-food sector in Spain and Portugal through the creation of a network of Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH). These hubs aim to foster initiative, competitiveness, and business sustainability, contributing to post-COVID-19 economic recovery. With a budget of €5.3 million, co-financed at 75% by the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) under the Interreg V-A Spain-Portugal 2014-2020 (POCTEP) Cross-Border Cooperation Program, HIBA includes 19 beneficiaries, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development of the Andalusian Government as the main beneficiary.

The Interreg HIBA+ project continues the work of the original HIBA project, aiming to further digitalize SMEs and micro-enterprises in the agri-food sector. It leverages European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) to enhance adaptability to changing work models, where digital tools are increasingly essential for overcoming crises in the sector. The project will last 3 years with a total budget of €2,845,222.77. HIBA+ seeks to capitalize on the achievements of the previous project, strengthening a cross-border collaborative network to support SMEs. It proposes innovative cross-border solutions to address challenges such as digital maturity, competitiveness, and visibility, aligning with key POCTEP objectives. It also continues to promote new professional profiles and the creation of new businesses through an experimental ecosystem that will generate regional wealth.

LIFE NextFUMIGREEN develops natural fumigants from plant extracts to control pests in intensive greenhouse horticulture. The project has a budget of €2,758,921.01 and is led by the Spanish company FumiHogar, with five other partners: TECNOVA Foundation, Finnova Foundation, B&B Environmental Auditors, Comercial Química Massó, and BrioAgro Tech.

The European project Smart and Digital Agriculture aims to promote and support youth employment in agriculture through high-value medicinal and aromatic plants, and to reduce rural-to-urban migration. It supports agricultural digitalization, develops smart and virtual farming practices with a virtual lab, conducts training programs, launches an online learning platform, creates the “Smart Greenhouse” app, and prepares a support guide. Led by the Provincial Directorate of National Education of Eskisehir (Turkey) and funded by Erasmus+, the project runs for 24 months with a budget of €198,830. The international consortium includes Finnovaregio (Belgium), Prof. Dr. Asen Zlatarov University and the Institute of Agricultural Economics (Bulgaria), Benaguasil City Council (Spain), Rural Coalition Kumanovo (North Macedonia), Anadolu University, Saricakaya Municipality, Saricakaya District Agriculture Department, and the Association of Cosmetic Manufacturers and Researchers (Turkey).

In Latin America, two new AL-INVEST projects involving Finnova focus on entrepreneurship and innovation in the agricultural sector:

1. “Promoting a business culture with triple impact models (ESG), low carbon emissions, circular and efficient resource use in Chile’s fruit sector” has a total budget of €365,127.07 and a duration of 20 months. It aims to activate, disseminate, and implement a circular and sustainable business culture in at least 150 SMEs in Chile’s fruit sector, with digital monitoring of green jobs, aligned with EU import standards.

2. “Ensuring economic growth and job creation that preserves nature and reduces climate change effects in the Oxapampa – Asháninka – Yánesha Biosphere Reserve (BIOAY)” in Peru promotes innovative initiatives and clean technologies to support a green and circular economy, fostering sustainable development for coffee-producing families and communities in the region. The project has a total budget of €363,199.60 and a duration of 26 months.