NICHE

NICHE project „Building innovative food value chains in regions”

The NICHE project wish to realize its potential by effectively promoting policies in 7 European regions where food has been identified as a key sector to apply existing research and innovation strengths.

The specific objectives of the project, are: by working together the NICHE partnership aims, by 2019 and through the improvement of existing policies, achieve an average 15 % increase in the adoption of research and innovation solutions by food sector companies in their regions to give response to the demand of this sector identified as high-potential sector for their smart growth.

The main planned activities: in doing so is key the creation of the right conditions to maximize all this existing potential in the way of establishing effective open innovation ecosystems, at both regional and interregional level, that will bring together all the relevant actors to facilitate technology and knowledge exchange that will be translated in new products and services.

The project will establish these ecosystems that will last beyond the NICHE’s lifecycle and where involved stakeholders will benefit of a more effective and productive way of collaboration.

Project partners:

• Regional Development Agency of the West Region Romania,
• Donegal County Council Ireland,
• Derry and Strabane District Council Northern Ireland,
• Regional Council of South Ostrobothnia Finland,
• Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship Poland,
• Region of Crete Greece,
• Tartu Science Park.

Programme: INTERREG Europe

Project number: PGI00049

Project implementation period: 01.04.2016 – 31.03.2020

Total project budget: 1 225 209 EUR (including 85% ERDF co-financing)

Programme home page: https://www.interregeurope.eu/niche/

Contact person: Ingrid Hunt, Tartu Science Park, ingrid.hunt@teaduspark.ee