The official kick-off meeting of the GRESS project was held in Kristiansand from the 3-5 September 2019. As Lead Partner of the consortium, the City of Kristiansand hosted all project partners at this three-day-meeting.
More than one year after the submission of the GRESS proposal, the kick-off meeting was the perfect opportunity for all partners to review the project objectives and the work plan, with a short overview of each project activity.
For the Project Manager, Øyvind Laderud from Kristiansand the kick-off meeting is a milestone, as it provides the foundation for effective collaboration in the coming weeks and months.
Linking five European regions together, GRESS will analyse their innovation climate, foster the exchange of experiences and best practice, as well as connecting practitioners and other stakeholders.
Five policy instruments will be improved through governance measures, new projects, and structural change. 26 MEUR in Structural Funds, as well as 7 MEUR of other funds, are estimated to be influenced by the project.
The policy improvements are envisaged to raise awareness on the opportunities for SMEs the in the green and blue economy, increase the number of participants at and advance the quality of training programmes, attract more SMEs both to participate and succeed in public procurements of green products and services, enhance access of SMEs to risk capital outside the local region, and make cities and regions more attractive for young entrepreneurs in green sectors.
