Brussels became the epicenter of Euro-Mediterranean research and innovation this week, hosting a gathering of stakeholders from both shores of the Mediterranean. The PRIMA community came together in full force, bringing together project coordinators, research teams, Board of Trustees members, European Commission representatives, FUTURE4PRIMA consortia, advisory board members, and key partners including the Union for the Mediterranean. This intensive week created a dynamic environment where ideas flourished and future visions took shape.

Monday, June 23:

• PRIMA Projects championing at EU Research and Innovation Conference

The week kicked off with PRIMA’s participation in the European Commission’s “Research and Innovation for a Competitive Green Transition” event. Among the 12 EU projects selected to showcase their achievements, two PRIMA projects stood out:

NEWFEED Project demonstrated its circular economy approach, transforming agri-food by-products like grape stems, orange peels, and olive cake into sustainable animal feed through a pilot-scale prototype that proves both economic and environmental viability.

INTEL IRRIS presented its low-cost, IoT-based irrigation solutions designed for smallholder farmers, featuring smart algorithms that optimize water usage while maintaining crop yields—addressing a critical challenge in Mediterranean agriculture.

• PRIMA2BUSINESS Pitching Contest (FUTURE4PRIMA)

The day also featured the culmination of the PRIMA2BUSINESS initiative, where twelve PRIMA-funded projects competed for market support. SmaCuMed and TECHONEY emerged as winners, each securing €10,000 Go-to-Market support vouchers. The projects received comprehensive training and support from META Group as part of the FUTURE4PRIMA project, led by DLR Projektträger and the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT).

Tuesday, June 24

• EU Research & Innovation Conference + Exhibition

PRIMA maintained its strong presence at the European Commission’s high-level conference on competitive green transition. PRIMA Chair Prof. Angelo Riccaboni participated in the high level session “Building Alliances through Science: Green and Blue Diplomacy for Global Challenges,” contributing valuable insights on international cooperation and scientific partnerships for addressing cross-border environmental challenges.

“Commissioner Zaharieva stopped by the PRIMA NEWFEED project stand while the exhibition was in full swing, offering projects the chance to engage with participants throughout the day.”

• UfM Green Week Contribution

Antonella Autino represented PRIMA at the 2nd edition of the Union for the Mediterranean Green Week, presenting “PRIMA’s Strategic Role in Unlocking Green Finance for a Greener Mediterranean.” Her presentation emphasized PRIMA’s evolution beyond a funding program into a comprehensive platform for climate-smart innovation, regional cooperation, and green transformation.

Wednesday-Thursday, June 25-26

• PRIMA Board of Trustees Meeting

The two-day Board of Trustees meeting brought together members both in-person and online in Brussels. PRIMA Chair Angelo Riccaboni and Co-Chair Abdelhamid EL-ZOHEIRY opened the sessions, followed by welcoming remarks from Jesus Alquezar and Natasa Mantziari from the European Commission.

A key highlight was the participation of Giuseppe Provenzano representing the Union for the Mediterranean, who provided crucial updates on regional R&I developments. PRIMA Director Octavi Quintana and Deputy Director Omar Amawi concluded the opening session with a unified message emphasizing PRIMA’s significant regional impact potential and the critical importance of integrating R&I within the upcoming Pact of the Mediterranean.

Thursday, June 26

• FUTURE4PRIMA Validation Workshop

Building strategically on the Board of Trustees meeting, this pivotal workshop focused on laying groundwork for PRIMA 2. The session brought together a diverse group of stakeholders including:

• PRIMA Board of Trustees members
• FUTURE4PRIMA Advisory Board
• Union for the Mediterranean Secretariat representatives
• National Ministries and research funders
• Leading R&I community voices

The workshop centered on collaborative review of the draft intervention logic, testing strategies against current Mediterranean realities, incorporating lessons from PRIMA’s first phase, and ensuring evidence-based, regionally relevant approaches.

Friday, June 27

• FUTURE4PRIMA General Assembly & Advisory Board Meeting

The week concluded with a comprehensive session combining the General Assembly with Advisory and Executive Board meetings. This strategic positioning, following the Validation Workshop, maximized momentum and built on validated outcomes. The session featured:

• Strategic Progress Review: WP2 and WP3 leaders presented major milestones, including the Mapping of R&I priorities and Position Paper
• Advisory Board Insights: External perspectives on F4P’s alignment with regional/international R&I trends and policy relevance in the evolving Euro-Mediterranean landscape
• Co-creating the Future: Facilitated discussions on FUTURE4PRIMA’s strategic next steps and long-term positioning

Looking Forward This intensive week in Brussels exemplified the collaborative spirit driving Euro-Mediterranean research and innovation. The seamless integration of operational progress with strategic foresight, combined with the active participation of diverse stakeholders, reinforced PRIMA’s role as a catalyst for regional transformation. The momentum generated during these five days sets a strong foundation for the next phase of Euro-Mediterranean R&I cooperation, positioning