KiNNO INNOVATION INTERMEDIARIES is excited to announce the RECONNECT Open Call for Greek SMEs operating in, or planning to enter, the fisheries, aquaculture, and Crafts / Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) sectors. This initiative is part of the RECONNECT project – Creative Crafts for Industrial Symbiosis in Blue Economy Sectors.
The overall objective of the RECONNECT project aims to enhance circularity in the Mediterranean area by fostering circular business models and industrial symbiosis ecosystems that support the recovery and reuse of waste, residues, and by-products from fisheries and aquaculture and their transformation into high-value bio-based resources for the craft sector, while fostering cross-sector collaboration and open innovation through innovative technologies and tailored support services. RECONNECT is an Interreg Euro-MED–funded Thematic Project that contributes to Mission 1 of the Interreg Euro-MED Programme: Strengthening an Innovative Sustainable Economy.
The RECONNECT Open Call provides SMEs with the opportunity to benefit from the project’s Artificial Intelligence tool and receive business support and open innovation services to valorise waste, residues, and by-products from fisheries and aquaculture activities, developing innovative solutions and fostering synergies across industrial symbiosis ecosystems.
Open Call Summary for Eligible Applicants and Submission Guidelines
Eligibility Criteria
- The applicant should be an SME operating in or plan to enter the fisheries, aquaculture, or Crafts / CCI sectors. Start-ups and individual businesses that are legally established entities are eligible and encouraged to apply.
- The SME should be legally established in Greece.
Applications must be submitted in English.
Key Benefits for SMEs
- Turn Waste into Value– Transform fisheries and aquaculture by-products into new high-value products.
- AI-Powered Insights– Discover untapped circular opportunities with smart analytics tools.
- Strategic Matchmaking– Connect with cross-sectoral and international partners.
- Access to New Markets– Boost visibility through transnational pitching and collaboration.
- Free Expert Coaching – Receive tailored support to innovate and build partnerships.
What We Expect from SMEs
- Targeted Participationin key activities (trainings, meetings, pitching).
- Basic Business Informationon activities and by-products.
- Openness to Collaborationat cross-sectoral and international level.
- Constructive Feedback to improve the RECONNECT project.
Timeline of the Open Call
- Call Launch: 04/03/2026
- Application Deadline:30/06/2026
- Selected beneficiaries will be announced after the application deadline.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted via Google Forms, with separate forms depending on the sector:
- For SMEs in Fisheries & Aquaculture, please submit your application via the following link: https://forms.gle/di5rY2mvZbe3eajT8
- For SMEs in Crafts / CCI Industries, please submit your application via the following link: https://forms.gle/isjpUPvAxmHMpgSf7
Applications must be submitted in English.
Applicants are encouraged to review the full Open Call document: https://kinno.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/1-RECONNECT-Open-Call-Document-EN_GREECE.pdf
A Greek version of the full Open Call document is also available: https://kinno.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/1-RECONNECT-Open-Call-Document-EL_GREECE.pdf
Apply now and join our efforts to build a smarter and more sustainable Blue Economy in the Mediterranean!
Disclaimer:
RECONNECT is an Interreg Euro-MED–funded Thematic Project that contributes to Mission 1 of the Interreg Euro-MED Programme: Strengthening an Innovative Sustainable Economy. This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use, which may be made of the information contained therein.
More information about the project is available on the official website: https://reconnect.interreg-euro-med.eu/news/
“The RECONNECT Open Call is an exciting opportunity for Greek SMEs to explore how open innovation and industrial symbiosis can unlock new value from waste, residues, and by-products generated in Blue Economy sectors. By bringing together actors from the fisheries, aquaculture, and the crafts, cultural and creative industries (CCI), we aim to foster meaningful cross-sectoral and cross-country collaborations while supporting SMEs in developing sustainable and innovative solutions that strengthen the circular economy in the Mediterranean.”
