The B-Resilient Project has announced the final results of its financial support programme for European food processing and producing SMEs, aiming to foster resilience through optimal biomass usage and digital solutions. Built on zero-waste and circular economy principles, B-Resilient has supported SMEs in maximising feedstock utilisation and valorising side streams into bio-based ingredients, contributing to both environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness.
Following an impressive response, with 128 applications received, B-Resilient has granted financial support to 81 SMEs across Europe. A total of €1,124,300 has been awarded, allocated through a series of targeted financial packages designed to address key resilience-building activities:
- Mobility Support for the Bioeconomy & Food Biowaste Investment Brokerage Event, held in Thessaloniki, Greece, in May 2023. This initiative, co-organised with Model2Bio, BioeconomyVentures, and EIT Food, provided €13,200 in support to 22 SMEs from 11 EU countries, enabling them to attend and engage with industry leaders and investors.
- Acceleration Lump Sums, supporting food processing SMEs in optimising biomass usage with sustainable and digital tools. This funding was divided into three distinct categories:
- Innovation Lump Sum: Encouraged the implementation of innovative processes and products, supporting 18 projects with 30 beneficiary SMEs and a total of €770,300 granted.
- Business Continuity Plan Lump Sum: Aimed at enhancing resilience through targeted Business Continuity Plans within the production value chain, granting 13 projects a total of €220,800.
- Internationalisation Lump Sum: Enabled SMEs to explore international opportunities by supporting participation in exhibitions or international expansion efforts, with 16 projects receiving €120,000.
B-Resilient’s financial support programme reflects a commitment to equipping food processing and producing SMEs with the tools and resources needed to thrive sustainably in a rapidly changing market.
As B-Resilient continues its mission, SMEs can still benefit from the B-Resilient Skills Hub, an evolving resource designed to enhance resilience in European food production and processing. The Skills Hub provides easy access to valuable resources, insights, and best practices in biomass valorisation and zero-waste strategies, all geared towards optimising biomass usage and reducing waste generation.
For more information, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/b-resilient/
This project has received European funding under Grant Agreement 101074621 of which 1,12 million goes directly to Food Processing SME thanks to the B-Resilient Financial Support to Third Parties Scheme. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or EISMEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Contact information:
Sofía Ros – Clúster FOOD+i – sros@clusterfoodmasi.es
