ENI-CBC Med Programme /
NEX-LABS intends to contribute to the creation of a sustainable and resilient agri-food sector based on NEXUS driven Open Living Labs (NDOLL) approach, thus strengthening technology transfer, cooperation industry- academia, increasing commercialization opportunities and innovation.
This year holds a very special place because we are seeing a new ecosystem being strengthened again as well as the players that are joining it.
NEX-LABS project is co-funded by the European Union under the ENI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme and has the ambitious goal to set up a long-term regional policy of the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development.
An international consortium of 11 partners from 7 different countries across the Mediterranean joined forces to tackle the challenges of a competitive and inclusive growth thanks to a nexus driven approach.
NEX-LABS project is co-funded by the European Union under the ENI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme and has the ambitious goal to set up a long-term regional policy of the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development.
NEX-LABS targets a plethora of stakeholders, including public institutions such as ministries and national agencies, research centers or universities, SMEs, entities of the entrepreneurship ecosystem such as companies/ technology transfer organizations /technological parks/venture capital/business angels, entities collaborating to the public debate such as communication multipliers/think tanks, civil society organizations.
WATER, ENERGY, FOOD NEXUS INNOVATION WEEK
“Paving the way towards Entrepreneurship”
17-20 January 2022
Online Regional Event
NEX-LABs project includes a partnership of 11 institutions from 7 different countries across the Mediterranean.
Implementation of clean technologies for sustainable and resilient increase of agri-food sector production based on a more efficient use of energy and water in MPC region
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.
The Project aims to support implementation of clean technologies for sustainable and resilient increase of agri-food sector production based on a more efficient use of energy (renewable/solar solutions) and water (wastewater treatment, water harvesting or reuse solutions) in MPC region thanks to the contributions of ICT such as blockchain technology, Internet or the Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning and Big Data.
Beyond MPC national or regional Water/Energy/Food (WEF) policy development programs, NEX-LABS will contribute to the regional policy development of the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development 2016-2025 and to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda through innovative integrated WEF+ICT technologies to face SDGs 2, 6 & 7 thanks to NDOLLs approach.
NEX-LABS targeted territories, characterized by water scarcity/irregular rainfall/population distribution, reflect agriculture as largest user of water (70-90%) while future global warming projections (≈2ºC) involve summer precipitation (-10/-30%) threatening water availability (-2/-15%) and agricultural productivity (-12/-40%). The latent conflict between energy efficiency (≈60%) and water production is also increasing energy footprint/m3 of water used to produce food. The predicted future shortfalls in Water/Energy/Food (WEF) requires a NEXUS approach.
The main outputs derived from NEX-LABS activities include
Berytech is leading on the WP4 “Bridging the gap among NEXUS stakeholders based on supporting actions to face NEXUS challenges” and will be working with partners from Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon and Jordan with the support of the remaining partners to conduct capacity building activities and networking events to equip entrepreneurs with skills needed to develop novel technologies, products or services to tackle the NEXUS challenges.
Activities are supported by Nexus Driven Open Living Labs to develop training/mentoring/coaching programs addressing not only young entrepreneurs but also young researchers or SMEs in setting up their own new businesses including courses to improve financial skills and ability to present convincing business proposal or properly communicate business performance and liaise with financial institutions.
• Identification of problems/opportunities
• Innovative business models
• Business commercialization
• IPR management, business model generation, venture capital
• November 2021
• Training, advice, prototyping, final competition
• Training on core themes of entrepreneurship
• Cooperation between industry, academia and citizens
• 3 Innovation Weeks
• Innovation Week with Phemac
• Workshops, trainings, brokerage events, exhibition, crowdfunding
• Exchange best practices, detect cooperation opportunities concerning NEXUS challenges
Meet the team members in charge of the NEX-LABS Project at Berytech.
If you have any questions about the NEX-LABS Program, please email joelle.elhajjar@berytech.org, and we will get back to you.
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