Tricontinental platform for cooperation and knowledge
The geographical scope of the NATUR-EXT project includes the Macaronesian autonomous regions of the Canary Islands, Azores, and Madeira. The proposal focuses on consolidating the current areas of intervention, cooperative work, and strengthening a technological platform that will operate jointly, advocating for not only technological but also scientific exchange. These actions will be supported by conferences, scientific-technical workshops, partner and associate mobility, training courses, research results transfer to companies, publications, and multichannel dissemination. On the other hand, NATUR-EXT includes as one of its lines of action the cooperation with neighboring third countries in its geographical surroundings, extending to territories such as Ghana, Senegal, and São Tomé and Príncipe.
“A knowledge network connecting Europe, Africa, and America from Macaronesia”
Strategic boost from Macaronesia towards a circular industrial model
The main challenge of the project is to boost the green and blue economy as a growth driver for less industrialized regions. This action is based on principles of circularity and environmental sustainability; also promoting economic growth, responsible resource management and use, and the application of self-sufficient processes through RES. This challenge seeks the development of a bioindustry with processes transferable to the productive sector through a technology platform focused on sustainable R&D&I. All of this is grounded in international cooperation between Europe, Africa, and America.
“Technology, research, and innovation in service of local development”
Having identified the common needs to be addressed, NATUR-EXT will act on the lack of infrastructure in this Atlantic region. The capitalization of results and investments, as well as collaboration between entities, will address this lack of technification in the ORs; incorporating emerging practices and techniques that positively affect the long-term competitiveness of the industrial sector, thereby strengthening the green and blue economy. The scientific and technical advancement will result from cooperation and the use of synergies between outermost regions and third countries, working on factors such as: technology transfer, training of qualified personnel, national and international business support, promotion of a circular economy, resource reuse, biodiversity protection, and the valorization and management of natural opportunities, such as blooms and strandings arriving on coasts. Industrial growth will maximize the benefits of the ORs’ tricontinental strategic position, relying on production chains free from outsourcing; thus reducing transport-related costs and enhancing their role as a natural commercial route. This will make it possible to establish strategic alliances with companies from Europe, Africa, and America, leveraging regional synergies and promoting international industrial cooperation.
Innovation with territorial identity: valorization of local resources
The NATUR-EXT project aims to promote the green and blue economy through the valorization of native products, by obtaining natural extracts integrable into the value chains of manufacturing industries across various sectors, with an approach based on circularity and sustainable use of natural resources; thus increasing the competitiveness of the Macaronesian region, encouraging innovation and responsible use of advanced technologies. In addition, environmental issues such as algal blooms and strandings will be valorized as natural opportunities that require proper management to minimize their ecological and socioeconomic impacts. Utilizing them will allow the extraction of emerging compounds with economic and environmental benefits. To effectively address global problems, international cooperation, collaboration with sector companies, and scientific-technical transfer will be promoted.
“Turning environmental challenges into sustainable economic opportunities”
