9am

OPENING: Welcome notes

10:30am

MEET THE SWITCHERS: Experience and investigate eco & social innovations

Sustainable Tourism

Type of session & duration

EXPERIENCE
Day 1, 10:30am-12:30pm (120min)

Action Network

Join the Community for background information and preparatory discussions: Meet the switchers: Sustainable tourism

Objective

To provide an overview of eco and social innovative solutions in the Mediterranean with a focus on MENA, and to collate needs and challenges of change makers in tourism sector.

Background

Without doubt, tourism is a strategic economic sector in all Mediterranean countries having still much potential for development of sustainable tourism services that can benefit both the environment, communities and the economy.
The first half of the sessions will include Pecha Kucha style presentations of stories by sustainable tourism Switchers. The second half will include a well facilitated discussion on understanding the needs and challenges of the Switchers and elaborating on possible responses (from the perspective of policy, finance, skills, networks and other ecosystem factors).

Co-creator & co-organiser

Biosphere Tourism is co-hosting the session and our facilitator will be Artur Nadcrinicinii.

Contributors & Speakers

Jean-François Fiquet (Terres d’Amanar)
Aymen Louhichi (Tunisia eco-tourism)
Zribi Skander (Dar Zaghouan)
Amine Draoui (Mornag Eco Farm)
Zaher Redwan (Green Hand - Casa Verde)
Jordi Tolrà (Aethnic)
Nabil Tarazi (Feynan Ecolodge)
Amina Mauro (The GreenWatcher)
Aurora Requena (Plàncton)
Ignasi Uñó (TwentyTú)

Sustainable Food

Type of session & duration

EXPERIENCE
Day 1, 10:30am-12:30pm (120min)

Action Network

Join the Community for background information and preparatory discussions: Meet the switchers: Sustainable agriculture & food

Objective

To provide an overview of eco and social innovative solutions in the Mediterranean with a focus on MENA, and to collate needs and challenges of change makers in agriculture & food sector.

Background

Agriculture, and food, is an strategic sector to be rethought in order to develop an scale-up eco and social innovative solutions in the Mediterranean, making an impact for sustainable living.
Initiatives carried out by change makers (The switchers) related to food consumption or production have an strong ecological and social component to be featured in order to inspire projects to future Switchers, and to be replied.

Co-creator & co-organiser

Global Footprint Network Mediterranean-MENA Program is co-hosting the session and our facilitator will be Aurélie Salvaire (The A Factor & TEDx Barcelona women)

Contributors & Speakers

Kamal Milad Mouzawak (Souk El Tayeb)
Laura Marie Tabet (Nawaya)
Carme Verdaguer (Peplemon)
Fatima Zahra Beraich (Biôdome)
Raquel Díaz – Ruiz (Espigoladors)
Haddad Naoufel (Tunis Coop)
Tarek Hosny (Shaduf)
Halil Kazaz (HAK2)
Giuliano Petroni (Peix al Plat)
Moti Cohen (Living Green)

Sustainable Fashion

Type of session & duration

EXPERIENCE
Day 1, 10:30am-12:30pm (120min)

Action Network

Join the Community for background information and preparatory discussions: Meet the switchers: Sustainable fashion & clothing

Objective

To provide an overview of eco and social innovative solutions in the Mediterranean with a focus on MENA, and to collate needs and challenges of change makers in fashion & clothing sector.

Background

Clothing is one of the major consumption areas in the Mediterranean countries. Fashion industry is also one of the leading economic sectors. Hence, clothing and fashion is a priority area for improving sustainability performance of products and services. In addition, it includes a diverse range of eco and social innovative solutions for making an impact for sustainable living.
The first half of the sessions will include Pecha Kucha style presentations of stories of sustainable fashion and clothing Switchers. The second half will include a well facilitated discussion on understanding the needs and challenges of the Switchers and elaborating on possible responses (from the perspective of policy, finance, skills, networks and other ecosystem factors).

Co-creator & co-organiser

Associació Moda Sostenible de Barcelona (Sustainable Fashions Association Barcleona) is co-hosting the session and our facilitator will be Sonia Ruiz (Noima).

Contributors & Speakers

Asli Guvenç (Asli’s Closet)
Bijan Kafi (Sekem)
Marc Metni (Waste)
Patrick El Zoghi (WeWear)
Yara Yassin (Up Fuse)
Jorge García Barrasa (Footwear Technology Centre La Rioja)
Ghitta Laskrouif
Tamar Shalem
Nadia Dajani (Al-Bareeq Jewellery)
Fiona Capdevila (Del través)

Sustainable Housing

Type of session & duration

EXPERIENCE
Day 1, 10:30am-12:30pm (120min)

Action Network

Join the Community for background information and preparatory discussions: Meet the switchers: Sustainable housing

Objective

To provide an overview of eco and social innovative solutions in the Mediterranean with a focus on MENA, and to collate needs and challenges of change makers in housing sector. Energy consumption, waste generation and lack of integrated approaches are some of the main challenges in the sector.

Background

Mediterranean regional action plan on sustainable consumption and production mentions housing and construction among the resource-intensive economic sectors, generating high environmental impacts in the Mediterranean.
The first half of the sessions will include Pecha Kucha style presentations of stories by sustainable housing Switchers. The second half will include a well facilitated discussion on understanding the needs and challenges of the Switchers and elaborating on possible responses (from the perspective of policy, finance, skills, networks and other ecosystem factors).

Co-creator & co-organiser

Jordan Green Building Council is co-hosting the session and our facilitator will be Jérémie Fosse (Eco Union).

Contributors & Speakers

Gabriele Diamanti (Eliodomestico)
Moussa Amara (Fondation Amidoul - Tafilelt)
Nelly Baz (HBR creative platform)
Adital Ela (Criaterra)
Gijsbert Huijink (Som Energia)
Khaled Fatnassi (SICAP)
Bouamama Fouzia (Eco Labina)
Maya Karkour (Eco-consulting)
Elias Abumohor (Applied Research Institute Jerusalem)
Raül Robert (Sostre Cívic)

Sustainable Mobility

Type of session & duration

EXPERIENCE
Day 1, 10:30am-12:30pm (120min)

Action Network

Join the Community for background information and preparatory discussions: Meet the switchers: Sustainable mobility

Objective

To provide an overview of eco and social innovative solutions in the Mediterranean with a focus on MENA, and to collate needs and challenges of change makers in mobility sector.

Background

According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), in the European Union, mobility and transport is one of the most impactful demand areas besides housing and food. Similarly, eco and social innovative solutions are urgently required for tackling the impact and moving towards sustainable living practices.
The first half of the sessions will include Pecha Kucha style presentations of stories by sustainable mobility Switchers. The second half will include a well facilitated discussion on understanding the needs and challenges of the Switchers and elaborating on possible responses (from the perspective of policy, finance, skills, networks and other ecosystem factors).

Co-creator & co-organiser

UK Trade & Investment Barcelona is co-hosting the session and our facilitator will be Charlie Mathews (Collective Responsibility).

Contributors & Speakers

Ines Temimi ( Collectun D3E Recyclage)
Emilio Sassine (pneumatic bike for mountainous areas)
Alfredo Balmaceda (ZICLA)
Mohamed Mrani Alaoui ( Carmine)
Karim Sokhn ( CyclingCicle)
Hicham Zarrouky (Sheaply)
Lis Brusa (Koiki)
Ehab Elia (Kartag)
Uygar Özesmi (Good4Trust)
Francesc Queralt (Social Car)

Type of session & duration

EXPERIENCE | Day 1, 10:30am - 12:30pm (120min)

Objective

To provide an overview of eco and social innovations in the Mediterranean with a focus on MENA, and to collate needs and challenges of entrepreneurs and change makers in each sector.

Background

We are looking for change makers who provide eco and social innovative solutions in the Mediterranean, making an impact for sustainable living.

Co-creator & co-organiser

Parallel sessions will be co-hosted by following expert organisations:
· Sustainable food (La Fundación Dieta Mediterránea & ASCAME managing the MED DIET Project - confirmed)
· Sustainable tourism (Biosphere Tourism tbc)
· Sustainable fashion (Barcelona Sustainable Fashion Association – MSBCN - confirmed)
· Sustainable housing (Jordan Green Buildings Council tbc)
· Sustainable mobility (UK TI)
TEDx and A-Factor (Aurélie Salvaire and Carlotta Cataldi) are providing support for overall moderation technique and storytelling trainings. Each session will also have a professional moderator to accompany the co-hosting organisation.

12:30pm

The SWITCHERS EXPO Opening

12:30pm

Matchmaking Lunch

2pm

PANEL: Actor's role in driving innovations

3pm

MEET THE ACTORS: Experience and investigate initiatives and organisations driving eco & social innovations

3pm

Training start-ups & ecosystem building

Type of session & duration

EXPERIENCE
Day 1, 3pm-5pm (120 min)

Action Network

Join the Community for background information and preparatory discussions: Meet the actors: Training start-ups & building eco-system of green entrepreneurs

Objective

1. To provide an overview of organisations active on capacity building for entrepreneurs in the Mediterranean
2. To identify challenges and opportunities in the provision of support and training to green entrepreneurs The focus of the discussion will be on training programmes and technical support.

Background

A wide range of initiatives and programmes are available in the MENA region for raising capacity among entrepreneurs for them to develop and put eco and social innovations in the market. Still, synergies among these initiatives are not well identified. Programmes could benefit from each other and build on each other's experience for enhancing the impact of the initiatives in building the eco system of entrepreneurs.

Co-creator & co-organiser

SEED Initiative and SwitchMed Green Entrepreneurship Team

Contributors & Speakers

Main moderators: Giorgio Mosangini, SwitchMed Green Entrepreneurship Programme & Anais Mangin, SEED Contributing initiatives:
· Giorgio Mosangini, SwitchMed Green Entrepreneurship Programme
· Anais Mangin, SEED
· Michael Janinhoff, GIZ RIBH
· Frederic Escartin, Climate KIC
· Guadalupe García Condado, Fundación Biodiversidad
· Nadine Asmar, Mowgli Foundation
· Clara Navarro Colomer, Fundación Ship2B

Open innovation platforms: benefits, insights and working procedures

Type of session & duration

COACHING SESSION
Day 1, 3pm-5pm (120 min)

Action Network

Join the Community for background information and preparatory discussions: Meet the actors: Open innovation platforms in the Mediterranean

Objective

The objective of the session would be to generate interest amongst the attendees (Mediterranean companies and entrepreneurs) about the potential project of an Open Eco and Social Innovation Platform in the Mediterranean Countries. For this purpose, Quiero will introduce the main conclusions of a brief desk research about the Open Innovation Platforms approaches, benefits and insights with special focus in in the Mediterranean experiences.

Background

Quiero salvar el mundo haciendo marketing, in its role as partner of SwitchMed, suggested to launch an Open Eco and Social Innovation Platform in the Mediterranean Countries. So, Switchmed and Quiero together suggested to start the process for developing this project. For companies, Open Innovation Platforms act as accelerators of the Innovation Development processes and therefore, as growth accelerators. Open Innovation platforms help to capture the best existing talent of the world regarding a concrete theme, allowing the company involved to reduce the amount of time and investment when implementing a development innovation process. At the same time, Open Innovation Platforms allow entrepreneurs to create solutions that are needed (and therefore valued) and also to offer existing solutions to a wide market current.

Co-creator & co-organiser

Quiero salvar el mundo haciendo marketing and SwitchMed

Contributors & Speakers

Main moderator: Sandra Pina, Head of Innovation & Research and Partner of Quiero Salvar El Mundo Haciendo Marketing Speakers:
· Helena Martínez-Alonso, Project Manager of Innovation & Research Of Quiero Salvar El Mundo Haciendo Marketing
· Patricio Guzman, Head For Europe, Socialab
· Khaoula El Behi, Ouishare Connector for Tunisia And Member of Netkite Project and Rapidmodalor
· Ursula Tischner, Owner of Econcept, Manager of the European Sustainability Maker Project and Part of the Team of Innonatives
· Tamer Taha, Founder & CEO, Yomken.com (Made in Egypt) Platform

Circular economy enablers in the Mediterranean

Type of session & duration

INVESTIGATE
Day 1, 3pm-5pm (120 min)

Action Network

Join the Community for background information and preparatory discussions: Meet the actors: Circular Economy Enablers in the Mediterranean

Objective

To provide an overview of business models and initiatives driving the Circular Economy in the North and South & To identify priority factors in the business ecosystem that all actors should be addressing.

Background

One of the main challenges in countries of the Mediterranean Basin is reaching higher levels of resource efficiency and sustainable waste management. This challenge is an opportunity for green entrepreneurs who like to apply circular economy business models. But what are the business opportunities and models exactly? For such models to flourish, business ecosystem should be favourable. But, which main factors such as infrastructure for waste collection, financing models, supporting policies should the actors be addressing in the business ecosystem? What are the issues common in the North and South and how do they differ from each other?

Co-creator & co-organiser

SwitchMed Initiative, Agència de Residus de Catalunya & Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Contributors & Speakers

Key Note Speaker:
· Sven Herrmann, Business Research Analyst, Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (Analysis on types of business models found in the North and requirements for a favourable circular economy business ecosystem)
Panellists:
· Pilar Chiva, Director of the Prevention and Fostering Recycling Area, Waste Agency of Catalonia
· Ignasi Cubiñá, Director and Partner, Ecointelligent Growth
· Nicola Cerantola, Senior Expert in Sustainable Design & Circular Economy, Ecologing
· Alfredo Balmaceda, Director, Zicla
· Javier Goyeneche, Director, ECOALF
· Ferda Ulutaş, Turkish Technology Development Foundation (TTGV) (industrial symbiosis projects in Turkey)
· Ines TEMIMI, Collectun 3D (recycling of electronic waste in Tunis)
Finally, group work to elaborate on the enabling factors for circular economy:
1. Regulatory incentives
2.Financing mechanisms
3.Partnerships within circular value chains
4.Business support schemes
5.Consumer acceptance.

5:15pm

Enabling social and grass-root innovations (CSOs)

Type of session & duration

EXPERIENCE
Day 1, 5:15pm-6:45pm (90 min)

Action Network

Join the Community for background information and preparatory discussions: Meet the actors: Enabling social and grass-root innovations among civil society

Objective

Promote the role of Civil Society organizations as eco-social pioneers in terms of creating bottom up collective initiatives of new models of production, consumption and distribution as seed of new economic models by:
1.Getting to know the CSO framework towards Sustainable Consumption and Production
2.Making visible some different switcher’s experiences or initiatives
3.Discuss the role, potentialities and limitations of CSOs towards SCP
4.Networking
These goals connect to the Civil Society co-creation workshop that will be taking place during the last week of October in Barcelona, and that will take place also in the following countries in this first phase: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Lebanon.

Background

Civil Society organizations, either formal or non-formal status based, are often seen as just oriented towards raising awareness or public policy development. But they often could also fulfill a role as economic model change pioneers. There are thousands of grassroots initiatives either economic or satisfying necessities orientated taking by civil society that open new fields of building up solutions in front ecological and social crisis. They endorse some comparative advantages related to business projects given the community support of these projects, the low investment that allows them to be highly experimenting, the motivation richness of community lead initiatives, etc.

Co-creator & co-organiser

Switchmed Civil Society Team, Estarter (Igop- UAB)

Contributors & Speakers

Main moderator: Conchi Piñeiro and Andrea Calsamiglia (SwitchMed Civil Society Team)
Speakers:
· Rubén Suriñach. CRIC (Opcions magazin, Xarxa d’Economia Solidària. Catalonia-Spain)
Grassroots initiatives representing the main topics of SwitchMed project:
· Uygar Özesmi: Good 4 Trust (Turkey)
· Haddad Naoufel: Tunisie Coop (Tunisia)
· Gijsbert Huijink, Som Energia (Spain)

Financing instruments for resource efficiency and eco innovations

Type of session & duration

EXPERIENCE
Day 1, 5:15pm-6:45pm (90 min)

Action Network

Join the Community for background information and preparatory discussions: Meet the actors: Financing instruments for resource efficiency and eco innovations

Objective

To get an insight into financing needs of green industry and green entrepreneurs in the Mediterranean countries and provide a mapping of financing instruments and asset classes available in response.

Background

Access to finance remains a challenge for scaling-up, or even launching, sustainable business models and green entrepreneurship. On one hand, a significant number of entrepreneurs have limited insight into financing opportunities, and lack skills and capacity to make sound applications for growing their businesses or internationalising their enterprises. On the other hand, investors’ understanding about sustainability priorities, resource efficiency opportunities and potentials for product and service innovations stays rather weak despite their growing interest on the topic. Therefore, facilitation of access to finance requires a good understanding of issues on both sides sand developing financing solutions and technical support to address those strengths and weaknesses.

Co-creator & co-organiser

European Federation of Ethical and Alternative Banks (FEBEA) and the SwitchMed Networking Facility

Contributors & Speakers

Moderator: Daniel Sorrosal, Policy and Advocacy Manager, European Federation of Ethical and Alternative Banks (FEBEA)
· Nigel Jollands, Senior Policy Manager, Energy Efficiency and Climate Change team, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
· Catherine Bellin-Schulz, technical assistant officer, Solidarité Internationale pour le Développement & l’Investissement (SIDI)
· Bruno Dunkel, Fund Manager, CoopMed - Social Economy Fund for the Mediterranean
· Ferda Ulutaş, Technology Development Foundation of Turkey (TTGV)
· Xavier Pont, Co-funder and Director General, Ship2B
· Arnaud Pinier, Smala & co

High Level Panel on Developing & implementing Policies

Type of session & duration

EXPERIENCE
Day 1, 5:15pm-6:45pm (90 min)

Action Network

Join the Community for background information and preparatory discussions: Meet the actors: High-Level Panel on Developing and implementing Policies for Circular Economy Practices

Objective

· To highlight circular economy opportunities in the EU and the neighbouring North African countries
· To point out planned policy interventions in Europe and in the North African countries to support those opportunities
· To explore collaboration opportunities among the EU and the neighbouring countries to support circular economy efforts.

Background

The Commission is aiming to present a new, more ambitious circular economy strategy late in 2015, to transform Europe into a more competitive resource-efficient economy, addressing a range of economic sectors, including waste. There is much to explore on the different levels from the global UN perspective, to Commission’s perspective and the EU country perspective as well as the perspective of EU neighbouring countries. How will priority areas food, housing, mobility, tourism be affected? What business models will be fostered? What are the expected implementation challenges? How can North and South Mediterranean collaborate to make circular economy a reality?

Co-creator & co-organiser

SCP/RAC

Contributors & Speakers

Moderator: Enrique de Villamore Martín, Director, SCP/RAC
Panelists:
· H.E. Eng. Adalah Atteereh, Chairman of Palestine Environment Quality Authority
· Mr. Mohammad Alkafawin, Senior Sustainable Consumption and Production Expert, Jordanian Ministry of Environment
· Hanan El-Hadary Chairman of the Industrial Council for Technology and Innovation, Egyptian Ministry of Industry
· Esther Pozo Vera Coordinator for European Neighbourhood Countries and Mediterranean issues, DG Environment, European Commission
· Callum Blackburn, Head of Policy and Research, Zero Waste Scotland, The Scottish Government

Type of session & duration

EXPERIENCE | Day 1, 10:30am - 12:30pm (120min)

Objective

To provide an overview of eco and social innovations in the Mediterranean with a focus on MENA, and to collate needs and challenges of entrepreneurs and change makers in each sector.

Background

We are looking for change makers who provide eco and social innovative solutions in the Mediterranean, making an impact for sustainable living.

Co-creator & co-organiser

Parallel sessions will be co-hosted by following expert organisations:
· Sustainable food (La Fundación Dieta Mediterránea & ASCAME managing the MED DIET Project - confirmed)
· Sustainable tourism (Biosphere Tourism tbc)
· Sustainable fashion (Barcelona Sustainable Fashion Association – MSBCN - confirmed)
· Sustainable housing (Jordan Green Buildings Council tbc)
· Sustainable mobility (UK TI)
TEDx and A-Factor (Aurélie Salvaire and Carlotta Cataldi) are providing support for overall moderation technique and storytelling trainings. Each session will also have a professional moderator to accompany the co-hosting organisation.

9am

WRAP-UP & NEXT: Summary of day 1

9am

PANEL: Scaling up innovations

10:15am

SCALING UP LABS: Investigate and act on leverage areas

10:15am

Scale up market pull: Shifting private consumer behaviour

Type of session & duration

INVESTIGATE
Day 2, 10:15am-12:30pm (135 min)

Action Network

Join the Community for background information and preparatory discussions: Scale-up market pull: Shifting private consumer behaviour with a focus on middle class personas

Objective

Providing an overview of barriers and motivators for responsible consumption behaviour (engagement with eco and social innovative solutions, purchase, use and disposal in environmentally friendly manner) among middle class consumers in MENA region and investigating the concrete role of business, civil society and policy in supporting consumers to make informed choices.

Background

Especially growing middle class consumers can be an important leverage point in creating demand for eco and social innovations. Therefore, it is utterly important for all key actors (policy, business, civil society) to support informed consumer choices (during purchase, use and disposal). Common barriers include price, lack of information, low awareness and knowledge and poor accessibility. The lessons learned and experience from the SWITCH-Asia Programme will be utilised in this session. See for example the video listing motivators and barriers for responsible consum.

Co-creator & co-organiser

Collective Responsibility and the SwitchMed Networking Facility

Contributors & Speakers

Moderator: Charlie Mathews, Director of Business Development at Collective Responsibility
· Ian Fenn, Sustainable Consumption Project Coordinator, Consumers International
· Najib Saab, Secretary General, Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED)
· Giorgio Maritan, Foro de Marcas Renombradas Españolas and ETHIIC Sustainable Lifestyles Network
· Abdullah Bdeir, Jordan Green Building Council & Green Affordable Housing Initiative

Scaling up pathways and leverage points to Sustainable Manufacturing

Type of session & duration

INVESTIGATE
Day 2, 10:15am-12:30pm (135 min)

Action Network

Join the Community for background information and preparatory discussions: Scale-up sustainable manufacturing: Scaling up pathways and leverage points to Sustainable Manufacturing

Objective

To elaborate on the leverage points for sustainable manufacturing in the SwitchMed target countries and to discuss focus of the scaling up study that might differ from country to country (guiding the ToR of national experts).

Background

This session is the kick off for the scaling up study of the MED TEST II activities of the SwitchMed Initiative. Scaling up vision: Take up of sustainable manufacturing practices as a norm or day-to-day practice in industries. In order to effectively scale-up, ‘leverage points’ needs to be addressed. MED TEST II has already been focusing on the leverage point of ‘service providers’. If service providers of MED TEST II manage to have their services received by more SMEs and over time, this sub-component would achieve quantitative scaling-up. In this sense, actions in response to this question can be explored: ‘How can we strengthen and diversify the service mix of the service providers?’

Co-creator & co-organiser

International scaling up expert on sustainable manufacturing and UNIDO regional coordination team in collaboration with the SwitchMed Networking Facility

Contributors & Speakers

Moderator: Eli De Friend, CAPRESE
Speakers:
Anne Verniquet, Consultant, SOFIES
Toivo Miller, Principal Development Manager, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Dr. Joyce Miller, Chair, PREMAnet e.V.

12:30pm

Scale up access to finance: Towards a green impact investing network in the Mediterranean

Type of session & duration

INVESTIGATE & ACT
Day 2, 12:30pm-2pm (90 min)

Action Network

Join the Community for background information and preparatory discussions: Scale-up access to finance: Towards a Green Impact Investing Network in the Mediterranean

Objective

To build upon the first insights gained via the observations in the Egyptian market
To improve the SWOT analysis for the Mediterranean region

Background

Partnering with one of the International Investment Networks, the European Federation of Ethical and Alternative Banks (FEBEA), which is a network of 24 European Ethical Banks and Alternative Financiers that has a strategic interest in promoting ethical finance, the SwitchMed Initiative works to identify and attract other investment networks as well as the international and national financial sectors in four pilot countries: Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia and Morocco.

Co-creator & co-organiser

European Federation of Ethical and Alternative Banks (FEBEA) and the SwitchMed Networking Facility

Contributors & Speakers

· Government perspective: Hanan El Hadary, Egyptian Ministry of Industry, Innovation Centre
· Start-up Financier perspective from Egypt
· SME Financier perspective from Egypt
· Start-up perspective from Egypt

Scale up market links: Conceptualisation of a Mediterranean Open innovation Platform

Type of session & duration

INVESTIGATE & ACT
Day 2, 12:30pm-2:30pm (120 min)

Action Network

Join the Community for background information and preparatory discussions: Scale-up market links: Mediterranean Open Innovation Platform

Objective

Taking in consideration the learnings of the Open Innovation Platforms session on day 1, we will co-create the first potential concepts/approaches for the SwitchMed Eco and Social Open Innovation Platform. The idea is to start a new project with SwitchMed after SwitchMed Connect, in order to explore the possibilities of an Eco & Social Open Innovation Platform for the Mediterranean Areas.

Background

After the interest created in the previous “Meet the actors” session we propose a co-creation session as the starting point for the establishment of the main ideas and concepts for the SwitchMed’s Open Eco and Social Innovation Platform.

Co-creator & co-organiser

Quiero and the SwitchMed Networking Facility

Contributors & Speakers

Sandra Pina, Head of Innovation & Research and Partner & Helena Martínez-Alonso, Project Manager of Innovation & Research from the Quiero Salvar El Mundo Haciendo Marketing

2pm-3pm

Matchmaking Lunch

3pm

The SWITCHERS EXPO Closing

3:15pm

SCALING UP LABS: Investigate and act on leverage areas (continuing)

3:15pm

Scale up market links: Leveraging the power of value chains

Type of session & duration

INVESTIGATE
Day 2, 3:15pm-4:45pm (90 min)

Action Network

Join the Community for background information and preparatory discussions: Scale-up Market Links: Leveraging the power of value chains

Objective

To highlight various types of engagement of big companies (corporations) with small businesses for spreading eco and social innovations as well as development of sustainable value chains. Multi-stakeholder partnership cases from the Mediterranean will demonstrate how entrepreneurs are gaining access to new markets, finance and capacity building. At the end of the session, a working group to facilitate the engagement of retailers and producers (big businesses) with eco and social innovative companies (small businesses) in the MENA region can be established.

Background

Large companies can help to scale and replicate innovative ideas of their smaller counterparts, and innovative products or business models can be conceived together. Joining forces with large companies can provide access to markets and distribution networks. Larger partners can also directly help with financing needs through loans or equipment, and renowned partners have the potential to improve credit-worthiness. Some even provide capacity building and technical support. Others provide support to community projects via their CSR programmes.

Co-creator & co-organiser

SwitchMed Networking Facility

Contributors & Speakers

Moderation by Sonia Ruiz, noima
· Robert Hamwey, Malick Kane and Lorena Jaramillo, Trade, Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Branch, Division of International Trade, BioTrade Initiative, UNCTAD
· Arantxa García, Head of Sustainable Development, A&D - TUI Travel Plc
· Mohamed Salama, Co-Founder, Kutuno
· Yair Engel, Kayama, Director, Center for Sustainable Design (H&M Global Change Award - Closing the loop for fashion)
· Sheana Shechterman, Sustainability Manager, Dizengoff Centre
· Bernard Outah, Regional Director, Africa & Middle East, World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO)

Scale up business models: Collaborative economy initiatives in MENA

Type of session & duration

INVESTIGATE & ACT
Day 2, 3:15pm-4:45pm (90 min)

Action Network

Join the Community for background information and preparatory discussions: Scale-up business models: Investigating how to spread sustainable collaborative society initiatives and sharing economy business models in the MENA

Objective

To provide an overview of business models of collaborative society and economy in the MENA and to develop leveraging actions for scaling these up. How can SwitchMed Initaitive and Ouishare MENA Network can work together in 2016 and 2017? What needs should they respond? What actions should they take collaboratively?

Background

The vision of the Switch Med program, especially the Green Entrepreneurship and Civil Society Empowerment activities, has many synergies with the mission of OuiShare : build and nurture a collaborative society, by connecting people, organizations and ideas around fairness, openness and trust. OuiShare activities consist of building communities, producing knowledge and incubating projects around the topics of collaborative practices, as well as offering support to individuals and organizations through professional services and education. During the last year, OuiShare has been expanding in the MENA (Middle East And North Africa) region, with communities growing in Morocco, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia. Therefore, OuiShare is willing to get involved in coordinating the development of actions for sustaining and expanding the pilot activities of the SwitchMed Initiative, related to collaborative consumption business models and circular economy business models.

Co-creator & co-organiser

Ouishare MENA Network

Contributors & Speakers

Main moderator:
· Asmaa Guedira, Connector Paris & Morocco, MENA representative for OuiShare
Facilitators and Speakers:
· Nelly Baz, OuiShare Connector Lebanon
· Ahmad Sufian Bayram, ArabShare, Regional Manager MENA Techstars
· Khaoula Behi, OuiShare Connector Tunisia
· Ehab Elia, OuiShare Connector Egypt
· Albert Canigueral, OuiShare Espana
· Arnaud Pinier, Smala &Co, Connector Morocco
· Anne Cécile Ragot, Taoa

5pm

Scale up policy links: Co-create inclusive business solutions in response to policy challenges

Type of session & duration

INVESTIGATE & ACT
Day 2, 5pm-6:45pm (105 min)

Action Network

Join the Community for background information and preparatory discussions: Scale-up Policy Links: Co-creating inclusive business solutions in response to policy challenges

Objective

Our objective is to simulate links between policy goals (social and environmental needs) and market solutions (business opportunities) . MinkaDev’s approach allows to create these links by attracting and structuring inclusive business aligned to public policy goals. The simulation to be done during the SwitchMed Connect will be the base for a co-creation project in 2016. This project will be connected to the SwitchMed policy and green entrepreneurship activities. This simulation process will set the bases for opening more green, inclusive business opportunities in the Mediterranean region through Minka-dev’s marketplace.

Background

According to the MedPartnerhsip project in process of finalisation, Kerkennah island in Tunisia has many environmental challenges, ranging from over fishing, salinization of agricultural land, loss of sand from minded land to waste management. Business solutions can be explored in response to selected social-environmental needs, which represent an opportunity for both sides (sustainable social-environmental development and business) prioritised by the stakeholder interest including policy makers and local agencies.

Co-creator & co-organiser

Hosted by MinkaDev in collaboration with Plan Bleu, UNEP GRID, GWP MED, UNEP/MAP & SCP/RAC

Contributors & Speakers

· Stakeholders interested to support and attract green and inclusive business to the Mediterranean region
· Any initiative or entrepreneur willing to participate in co-creation of business opportunities in response to policy challenges or goals.

Scale up technical support: Setting up initiatives to foster ecodesign practices in the Mediterranean region

Type of session & duration

INVESTIGATE & ACT
Day 2, 5pm-6:45pm (105 min)

Action Network

Join the Community for background information and preparatory discussions: Scale up technical support: Setting up initiatives to foster ecodesign practices in the Mediterranean region

Objective

To get an overview of eco-design promoting initiatives (training programmes, projects, service providers) in the Mediterranean countries and to identify and conceptualise initiatives and tools to foster eco-design practices in the region.

Background

Eco-design is one of the key approaches for industries and entrepreneurs to implement eco innovative solutions. Promoters and trainers of eco-design approaches in the Mediterranean region are a handful but ecodesign is not yet well implemented in the area. Exchanges on training experiences, common positions on enabling policies and set up of collective actions such as spreading the business case can strengthen the eco-design community and foster such practices.

Co-creator & co-organiser

Agència de Residus de Catalunya and SwitchMed Networking Facility

Contributors & Speakers

Contributors and speakers include:
· Yolanda Morcillo Ripoll, Agència de Residus de Catalunya, Catalonia, Spain
· Christian Brodhag, Pole Éco-conception, France
· Adital Ela, S-Sense Design and Museum of Design Holon, Israel
· Ramon Farreny Gaya, Inèdit Innova, Catalonia, Spain
· Salvi Plaja Miro, Simon, Catalonia, Spain
· Jon Marín, Nutcreatives, Catalonia, Spain

7pm

Closing and SwitchMed Connect Party