Title

Alpine Space Promotion of Eco-companies Transboundary

Priority,Measure

1.2

Lead Partner

Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Lyon

Lead Partner Country

France

Project Website

http://www.aspect-project.eu/

Duration

03/2006 - 02/2008

Date of Approval

22-02-2006

Approx. Total Budget in €

1.475.000 €

ERDF in €

700.000 €

Project Summary

The Alps are a very sensitive area in terms of environment, especially because of the geographical and demographic configuration. On the other hand, stimulating economic growth via SMEs, which are the first purveyor of employment, is a key issue for the competitiveness of the Alps. For both of the above reasons, eco-industry SMEs need to be supported by institutions, such as reflected in the ASPECT partnership, to foster their activities, find new partners (research, business, etc.), and increase their visibility. Eco-companies are a crucial link in bridging the gap between economic development and environmental protection. They are also important players in the competitiveness of regions since their growth is usually 2 to 3 points of GDP higher than the economy in general. However, eco-companies are mostly SMEs, some very small, and are hindered in their growth by their lack of visibility, their difficulties with innovation and their slight knowledge of new markets.

Project Objectives

The aim of ASPECT is to overcome the structural challenges of Eco-companies by facilitating the exchanges between Alpine Space SMEs and clusters, by stimulating transnational research projects and benchmarking, and by organizing the promotion of the various sectors involved (acoustics, waste prevention, water treatment, environmental metrology, renewable energy,…). This will enable support organizations and public authorities to better integrate these SMEs in sustainable economic and spatial planning. As an experimental stimulation on a concentrated European "laboratory", ASPECT should make eco-companies more competitive, thus driving economic growth in the Alpine Space while enhancing polycentrism within and between alpine territories on key economic sectors for sustainable development.

Project Achievements

None so far as the project has just started.

Project Result Files

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EU Project Partners

B.A.U.M. Consult GmbH (Germany)
Bayern Innovativ (Germany)
Centro Estero Camere Commercio Piemontesi (Italy)
Clusterland OÖ GmbH (Austria)
Österreichische Gesellschaft für Umwelt und Technik (Austria)
Provincia di Mantova (Italy)
Regionalna razvojna agencija Gorenjske (Slovenia)

Non-EU Project Partners

Association pour le développement du Nord Vaudois (Switzerland)

Contact Person

Magaud, Marc