In a virtual morning session of the European Alliance Against Coronavirus, managing director of ICAMCyL Santiago Cuesta presented the MINE.THE.GAP project and its funding models as a good example of how public fund can reach small and medium enterprises. The European Alliance Against Coronavirus is an open exchange group which consists of clusters, associations, institutions, universities, companies, social economy stakeholders and other entities, and counts with close collaborative links to the European Commission.

Cascade funding made available through the European INNOSUP scheme

Santiago Cuesta pointed out that raw materials are essential for many sectors and a clean transition toward a sustainable agenda is crucial. The work in the mining industry is a very exigent work for humans in extreme conditions with restricted space and accessibility. To fund innovative ideas and proof of concepts, European clusters and research organisations have formed a consortium to redirect funds from the European Commission through the INNOSUP scheme to mining SMEs and in sectors with possible solutions for the challenges in the raw material sector. The consortium will implement two open calls and distribute lump sums to successful applicants.

Watch the video: Funding models to support innovative SMEs