ABOUT THE PROJECT SMARAGD

• The Interreg project SMARAGD addresses key challenges faced by manufacturing companies in the Meuse-Rhine region, particularly SMEs, as they navigate the rapid changes in technology, regulations, and workforce dynamics. The project focuses on helping companies stay competitive in the face of emerging technologies such as Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence, European Green Deal directives for sustainability, and a growing shortage of skilled workers due to demographic shifts.
• The project aims to provide practical, cross-border support to companies, helping them adapt their strategies to overcome these challenges. This includes implementing digital technologies to optimize production, develop sustainable materials, and upskill workers for future-oriented roles.

Key Actions

• Technology Maturity Assessment: Offering in-depth evaluations and 'needs and gaps' analysis to help companies create targeted action plans.
• Technical Assistance & Training: Providing expertise, guidelines, and hands-on training to support digitalization and sustainable material development.
• Use Cases & Showcases: Involving companies in digital process demonstrations and developing showcases for sustainable material production.
• Knowledge Dissemination: Sharing best practices and lessons learned through targeted training sessions.

Expected outcome

• Digital Transition Support: Helping companies implement digital tools to enhance processes, reduce resource use, and lower production costs.
• Sustainable Materials Development: Guiding the use of advanced technologies to create sustainable materials and processes in line with European Green Deal goals.
• Workforce Development: Upskilling employees to support digital and sustainable transformations.
• Increased Competitiveness: Enabling companies to maintain or improve their market position, ensuring access to international markets.

ADVISORY BOARD

• Participate in the Bi-annual Meetings: Convening twice a year, linked to the „Smaragd Networking Events“.
• Provide Guidance on Demonstrators and Technology: Providing strategic direction on the development of pilot lines and demonstrators.
• Propose Partner & Supporters: Identifying and proposing potential partners and supporters for pilot lines and demonstrations.
• Promote Cypress Projects: Actively promoting the project's initiatives and raising its visibility within the industry.
• Identify Companies: Identifying relevant companies to be included in the project’s database.
• Support the Project´s Content & Agenda: Proposing topics and agendas for the „Smaragd Networking Events“, ensuring relevance to industry trends and challenges.
• Expand the Network: Helping to build and strengthen the project’s network of stakeholders and collaborators.