Berytech participated in the information session organized by the European Union in Beirut to present the Horizon 2020 Innovation and Research Program, with nearly €80 billion of funding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020), and Lebanon has good chances to benefit from it.
Berytech and the 5TOI_4EWAS project
Ramy Boujawdeh, Deputy GM of Berytech shared how Berytech is working towards fulfilling the goals of the 5TOI_4EWAS project, which has received funding from the Horizon 2020 program. Berytech is the project’s local partner, which backs a very inclusive innovation policy implementation path as well as the Horizon 2020 objectives for encouraging the research and innovation cooperation between the Union and Southern Mediterranean Neighborhood. The project focuses on three key challenges – Food, Energy and Water through the Nexus approach.
“Lebanon has the potential to turn into an even more attractive place for innovators and researchers. The country has always been recognized for its entrepreneurial dynamism and high level human capital. It is encouraging to witness these days a new generation of Lebanese entrepreneurs and SMEs dedicated to innovation,” EU Ambassador Christina Lassen said in her opening remarks during the information session.
“With Horizon 2020 and the participation of Lebanon in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA), Lebanon can benefit from a ‘push forward’ to put research and innovation at the heart of the economic vision for the country” she added.
A tour of Berytech’s Innovation Park
Part of her visit to Lebanon to promote Horizon 2020, Director of International Cooperation Maria-Cristina Russo, from the EU Directorate General for Research and Innovation, toured Berytech’s Innovation Park in Mar Roukoz, and took the time to learn about the Agrytech Accelerator Program as well as visit the Berytech Fab Lab. Boujawdeh, accompanied by representatives from Berytech Fund II and IM Capital, presented the local ecosystem of entrepreneurs and shared updates on the 5TOI partnership.
About Horizon 2020
Horizon 2020 program is central to the EU’s blueprint for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and jobs. Non-European countries can participate in most of the program. This means that Lebanese researchers, universities, research organizations, companies and non-governmental organizations can apply to participate in its activities, mainly through calls for proposals.
Through Horizon 2020, the EU supports Lebanon in producing quality scientific research, removing barriers to innovation and creating synergies between the public and private sectors to work together in delivering innovation. In addition, PRIMA offers support for research and innovation linked to the sustainable management of water resources and foods systems.
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