Let’s recall, in February 2013, the implementation of the SMARTinMED project began – a Smart Interregional Strategy to strengthen innovative capacities in the energy sector in the Mediterranean area, financed by the European Commission under the Transnational Operational Programme Mediterranean (MED). The leader of the international consortium is the Italian region of Tuscany, and alongside REGEA, project partners include the Italian regions of Piedmont and Lombardy, the Greek Centre for Renewable Energy Sources (CRES), the region of Northern Macedonia, Spanish agencies IDEA (Andalusian Agency for Innovation and Development) and AEA (Andalusian Energy Agency), the French energy agency ERAI, and the Portuguese University of Algarve. The project will last until June 2015, and the main goal of the SMARTinMED project is to promote the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in the energy sector by establishing communication channels for the transfer of knowledge and best practices among energy clusters in the Mediterranean area.

The two-day gathering with partners began on April 28, 2015, in the afternoon with a project meeting discussing the activities carried out so far, the achieved results, and reporting to the European Commission.

The final conference titled: “BUILDING AN INTERREGIONAL TRANSNATIONAL SMART SPECIALISATION STRATEGY ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY” was opened on April 29, 2015, by Laura Righi, project coordinator, whose aim was to provide insight into the entrepreneurial situation from the stakeholders’ perspective and to address the advantages and challenges faced by SMEs, financial organizations, energy agencies, and public policy makers. REGEA representatives Vesna Kolega and Martina Krizmanić, as well as the director of Vodolim from Donja Stubica, Vanja Brundula, who participated in the pilot project of the Business Model Canvas within the project, took part in the conference. Preliminary positive results of the Business Model Canvas were presented. It is expected that its successful implementation will improve the operations of all tested partner companies, opening doors to investments and the development of competitive products and technologies in the Mediterranean market by identifying and removing observed barriers. There was also discussion on the concept of smart specialization in the renewable energy sector, which involves identifying the unique features and potentials of each country and region, highlighting competitive advantages, and gathering regional stakeholders around a vision of a future based on excellence.

During the conference, it became evident that the ideas, visions, and activities initiated within the project will continue to live on even after its completion, and that the established contacts will result in new networking opportunities and collaborations.