Who We Are
The aim of the Mediterranean Island Cleantech Innovation Ecosystem (MICIE) project is to strengthen the contribution of research and innovation (R&I) in achieving the climate and energy targets of Cyprus and Malta, as defined in their National Energy and Climate Plans.
MICIE will achieve this by forging links across and within the two R&I ecosystems, leveraging each country’s strengths, and developing synergies to address challenges – ultimately catalysing the development of innovative climate technologies and business models.
The Mediterranean Island Cleantech Innovation Ecosystem will
- Benchmark and analyse existing leading innovation ecosystems globally, identifying best-practices
- Map the current R&I ecosystems of Cyprus and Malta, including all current R&I support instruments and relevant local and national actors
- Co-create and co-develop, via a series of workshops, innovation cleantech ecosystems in Cyprus and Malta
- Develop individual R&I Action Plans for Cyprus and Malta which aim to stimulate innovation procurement and help the market uptake of innovative solutions
- Connect the R&I ecosystems of Cyprus and Malta to each other and to other mature R&I ecosystems across Europe
Research and Innovation as a catalyst for climate action
In October 2014, the European Council adopted the 2030 climate and energy framework which set EU-wide targets related to the transition towards a low-carbon economy for the period from 2021 to 2030. The targets set in 2014 (which have since been updated following the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal) included:
- Reduction of at least 40% in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels)
- An increase of the share of renewable energy to at least 32%
- An improvement of at least 32.5% in energy efficiency
To support delivery of the EU-wide 2030 targets, each EU Member State (MS) has prepared an integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) which sets out the national targets, strategies, policies and programmes that each MS will put in place for the period 2021 to 2030. Specifically, a NECP defines relevant targets and implementation strategies for each of the following dimensions:
- Securing energy supplies, including through promotion of renewable energy sources
- Expanding the internal energy market, including using interconnectors which enable energy to flow freely across the EU
- Increasing energy efficiency
- Reducing emissions and decarbonising the economy
- Supporting research and innovation in order achieve the climate targets, including through the promotion of breakthroughs in low-carbon technologies
Thus, within NECPs, the critical role of R&I in supporting the development of cleantech solutions that can lead to breakthroughs in climate action is recognised. Through the NECP process, the EU calls upon MS to strengthen their R&I in climate and energy.
Strengthening Research and Innovation across the EU
Cyprus and Malta, two of the smallest EU island states, currently measure as ‘moderate’ and ‘modest’ innovators respectively. Both MS received recommendations on their NECPs from the EU, aimed at strengthening their climate and energy R&I activities, with both countries called upon to develop more concrete policies and targets.
Since the development of the first NECPs, the importance of R&I in climate action has increased with the new European Green Deal, announced in 2019, through which the EU has committed to becoming the first carbon neutral continent by 2050.
To achieve this flagship target, the intermediate targets for 2030, initially set in 2014, have also been revised and their ambition increased. The greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal under the European Green Deal has now increased from 40% to 55% by 2030, meaning that the targets for each MS have also increased and will need to be reflected in updated NECPs.
The EU is advocating for R&I to take on a more ambitious role across MS, and lead the transformative change needed to deliver on the European Green Deal.
As MS are expected to revise their NECPs by 2024, now is the ideal time for both Cyprus and Malta to work together to expand and further their R&I activities and realise their national climate ambitions.
The Role of Mediterranean Island Cleantech Innovation Ecosystem
MICIE will assist Cyprus and Malta in tackling their climate innovation gap so as to achieve their new and ambitious energy and climate targets. MICIE will support the national authorities in both countries to update and revise their R&I targets through the co-development of R&I Action Plans.
MICIE will help build interconnected and inclusive innovation ecosystems in Cyprus and Malta and build excellence through further cooperation with strong innovator MS. It will thus contribute towards integration and long-term cooperation between the two islands in the field of climate R&I.
Realisation of the Mediterranean Island Cleantech Innovation Ecosystem
MICIE is comprised of eight partners, representing the quadruple helix, which are ideally placed to leverage their strengths and expertise to deliver on the project’s aims. It is bringing together the following stakeholder groups, to ensure delivery of its aims and objectives:
- Government and policy makers:
- Business and Industry:
- Innovation, Research and Academia:
-
Civil
Society:
Relevant public authorities, such as the Energy and Water Agency of Malta and the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation, & Digital Policy of Cyprus, representing the final ‘end-users’ of the R&I Action Plans.
Organisations representing the business world including industry, businesses and SMEs, such as the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation and the Malta Chamber, which account for the organisations that will deliver climate innovation but also be at the forefront of adopting new technologies and business models.
Research and academic institutions, including the Cyprus University of Technology and the Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology, as well as innovation support organisations such as EIT Climate-KIC, which develop and test new technologies for uptake by the market.
Organisations such as the Cyprus Energy Agency, which represent the interests of wider society and how it envisages the role of climate R&I.
- Government and policy makers:
Relevant public authorities, such as the Energy and Water Agency of Malta and the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation, & Digital Policy of Cyprus, representing the final ‘end-users’ of the R&I Action Plans.
- Business and Industry:
Organisations representing the business world including industry, businesses and SMEs, such as the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation and the Malta Chamber, which account for the organisations that will deliver climate innovation but also be at the forefront of adopting new technologies and business models.
- Innovation, Research and Academia:
Research and academic institutions, including the Cyprus University of Technology and the Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology, as well as innovation support organisations such as EIT Climate-KIC, which develop and test new technologies for uptake by the market.
- Civil Society:
Organisations such as the Cyprus Energy Agency, which represent the interests of wider society and how it envisages the role of climate R&I.
The Consortium
The Cyprus University of Technology [CUT] is a state University in Cyprus with a strategic target to design and develop research activities both, within the University, and in cooperation with other research Institutes in Cyprus and abroad. The Sustainable Energy Laboratory [SEL] of CUT is the coordinator of the MICIE project. SEL is a multi-departmental research laboratory, focusing on sustainable development, and more specifically, on solar energy, energy efficiency, and biomimicry.
The Cyprus Energy Agency [CEA] is an independent, non-governmental, non-profit organization, that actively contributes to the saving of energy resources, the protection of the environment, and the improvement of the quality of life in Cyprus. Within this framework, CEA provides technical support to local and central government, in the development and implementation of measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
The EIT Climate-KIC [CKIC] is Europe’s largest public-private innovation partnership, focused on accelerating the transition to a zero-carbon, climate-resilient society. Supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, we bring together partners in the worlds of business, academia, and the public and non-profit sectors, to create networks of expertise, through which innovative products, services and systems can be developed, brought to market, and scaled-up for impact.
The Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digital Policy [DMRIDP] has set forth an aspirational vision for becoming a fit-for-the future society and knowledge-based economy, enabled by digital technologies, scientific research excellence and innovative entrepreneurship.
The Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation [OEB] is the leading representative of employers and businesses, and the catalyst of socio-economic development and prosperity in Cyprus. It cooperates with the state and other institutions and factors of society, in order to promote the development of entrepreneurship in Cyprus.
The Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology [MCAST] is Malta’s leading vocational education and training institution, with a strong relationship to public bodies and industry. MCAST aims to drive applied research and innovation, which is aligned with current national and European priorities.
The Energy & Water Agency [EWA] is a Government Agency, established within the Ministry for Energy, Enterprise, and Sustainable Development of Malta. Set up in 2014, the Agency is tasked with formulating and implementing the Government’s national policies in the energy and water sectors, aimed at ensuring security, sustainability, and affordability of energy and water in Malta.
The Malta Chamber [TMC] is the independent voice of business in Malta, representing companies from all economic sectors, to ensure the best competitive environment and regulatory conditions for businesses.
