ENI-CBC Med Programme /
Are you an entrepreneur, innovator or researcher developing new products using grape and wine by-products?
Apply to the BESTMEDGRAPE Program to get the chance to win a 10,000 Euro grant to further develop your product.
Berytech celebrated the conclusion of two impactful EU-funded projects under the ENI CBC Med program: BESTMEDGRAPE, aimed at valorizing grape waste from winemaking; and STAND
![Breeze[60] 1200x628](https://berytech.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Breeze60-1200x628-1-768x402.png)
Leila Khalife and Pamela Slaiby introduce Breeze, a healthy ice cream made with 100% Lebanese ingredients and no chemical additives.
Forty entrepreneurs from across the Mediterranean joined the ‘Business Creation Joint Event’ in Amman organized under the BESTMEDGRAPE project to pitch their solutions in grape valorization.
Anna-Maria’s idea consists of creating an affordable meal replacer or booster from grape pomace base
BESTMEDGRAPE aims to turn waste from wine making into valuable and innovative commercial health products, supporting at the same time the creation of new businesses.
Duration: 36 months
Start date: 01 September 2019 – End date: 31 May 2023
€ 3.3 million Total budget, € 2.6 million EU contribution, 20% Project co-financing
Main source of funding: European Union (ENI CBC Med Programme)
Farmers and local wineries, early-stage researchers, entrepreneurs, enterprises and industrial processing companies interested in recycling wine-making waste, consumers and end-users interested in environmental-friendly grape products, as well as public institutions involved in environmental sustainability.
The BESTMEDGRAPE program will be implemented by 8 partners, distributed among several countries in the Mediterranean basin:
Partners From Lebanon
Saint Joseph University of Beirut
Berytech Foundation
Associates From Lebanon
Chateau Ksara SAL
Chateau Kefraya
Chateau St. Thomas
Grape as a traditional crop in the Mediterranean area has a strong innovation potential, which has not been effectively exploited yet.
Home to some of the world’s most ancient civilizations, hub for trade and transport, unique hotspot for biodiversity, the Mediterranean faces a multitude of common challenges, including climate change, pollution, youth unemployment and social inequality.
Acting together to address these challenges and improve the lives of men and women across the region is the impetus for the 2014-2020 ENI CBC “Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme”. ENI CBC Med is the largest Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC) initiative implemented by the EU under the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI).
The Programme brings together the coastal territories of 14 EU and partner countries, including Lebanon, in view of fostering fair, equitable and sustainable development on both sides of the EU’s external borders.
Grape as a traditional crop in the Mediterranean area has a strong innovation potential, which has not been effectively exploited yet. People working in the grape cultivation sector are generally focused on improving the quality of grape and wine, but usually don’t consider how to make the most out of grape waste.
Based on the R&D experience of the partners in the fields of grape valorization, waste exploitation and development of nanotechnological antioxidant/anti-inflammatory/anti-neurodegenerative formulations, BESTMEDGRAPE aims at supporting the creation of new startups/SMEs by transferring scientific/technological knowledge on local grape cultivars and the exploitation of wine by-products as a source of bioactive compounds that can be transformed into innovative commercial health products.
Hence, the project will not only valorize a Mediterranean product – grape – but also the expansion of the grape value chain through the development of nanotechnological products, thus boosting the local economy, reducing environmental pollution and increasing employment opportunities.
BESTMEDGRAPE expects a change of attitude in the way Mediterranean entrepreneurs deal with the many botanical and beneficial properties of local grape cultivars. Great attention will be devoted to the manufacture of high quality nanotechnological, cosmeceutical and nutraceutical products. This will entail the growth of a new value chain derived from grape waste and related job/business opportunities. In addition, the project will contribute to the preservation of the Mediterranean biodiversity and avoid environmental contamination from the huge quantity of bulky waste generated during winemaking.
Meet the team members in charge of the BESTMEDGRAPE Project at Berytech.
If you have any questions about the BESTMEDGRAPE Program, please email support@berytech.org, and we will get back to you.
As a member of the Global Compact Network Lebanon, Berytech enacts the 10 principles of the UNGC and the BESTMEDGRAPE Project falls under Berytech’s mission to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Berytech is the ecosystem for entrepreneurs, providing a dynamic environment for the creation and development of startups and SMEs, fostering innovation, technology and entrepreneurship in Lebanon.
Berytech Mathaf
Damascus Street, Museum District
Achrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon
+961 (1) 61 25 00
Berytech Mar Roukoz
Saint Joseph University
Sciences & Technology Campus
Dekwaneh, Mount Lebanon
+961 (4) 53 30 40
Berytech BDD 1294
Bechara El Khoury Street
Beirut Digital District
Bachoura, Beirut, Lebanon
+961 (1) 64 95 55
P.O. Box
11-7503 Riad el Solh, 1107 2240 Beirut, Lebanon