tOwaRds cIrcular Economy iN The AgriculTural sEctor
Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B NEXT Mediterranean Sea Basin (NEXT MED)Description
(1.2) Output 1.2 Project Meetings(EN)
(1.3) Output 1.3 Reports(EN)
(1.4) Output 1.4 Planning Documents(EN)
(2.1) Output 2.1 Project Communication Plan(EN)
(2.2) Output 2.2 Awareness raising campaigns, including 3 Project events and 5 Workshops(EN)
(2.3) Output 2.3 Capitalisation activities and synergies(EN)
(3.1) Output 3.1. Participation in joint actions across border : JobShadowing in the EUMCs (IT ,ES)(EN)
(4.1) Output 4.1 -1 Consolidated report delivered by 2 Partners to be used for the design of the Pilots(EN)
(4.2) Output 4.2 Testing and development of technologies, processes and uptake of technology in each MP(EN)
(5.1) Output 5.1 Training Materials developed by Organisations cooperating across borders(EN)
(5.2) Output 5.2 Joint Training activities delivered in the three MPCs (TR, JO, LB)(EN)
(6.1) Output 6.1 - 3 solutions developed by the Demonstration Pilot and scaled up by involved stakeholders(EN)
Website: https://www.interregnextmed.eu/project-page/orientate/about/
Thematic information
Priority:
(VI-B_MSB_2) Priority 2: A greener, low-carbon and resilient MediterraneanPriority specific objective:
RSO2.6. Promoting the transition to a circular and resource efficient economyPriority policy objective (Interreg specific objective):
PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobilityType of intervention:
067 Household waste management: prevention, minimisation, sorting, reuse, recycling measuresPartners (6)
Lead Partner: E.M. ASSOCIAZIONE A.R.C.E.S
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 00615140829 | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: False
Department: Training and Research
Address: Vicolo Niscemi , 90133 Palermo, Italy
Legal status: private
Organisation type: N.a.
Website: http://www.arces.it
Total budget: EUR 644 999.96
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 574 049.95
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 70 950.01
- جمعية التصميم والتنمية-الفرج
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Name: جمعية التصميم والتنمية-الفرج
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 1009 | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: False
Address: INTERNATIONAL ROAD-RAS BAALBEKBaalbek-Hermel, Lebanon
Legal status: private
Organisation type: N.a.
Website (not verified): http://WWW.PDALEBANON.ORG
Total budget: EUR 461 000.02
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 410 290.01
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 50 710.01
- المركز الوطني للبحوث الزراعية
-
Name: المركز الوطني للبحوث الزراعية
Department: Environment and Climate Change Researches Directorate
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 2201/4025 | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: True
Address: Baq'a 19381, P.O Box: 639 Amman, Jordan
Legal status: public
Organisation type: N.a.
Website: http://www.narc.gov.jo
Total budget: EUR 464 500.02
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 413 405.01
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 51 095.01
- Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi
-
Name: Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 21281 | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: True
Address: Avşar Street, West Ring Road Bulvarı, 46040 Onikişubat/KAHRAMANMARAŞ, Turkey
Legal status: public
Organisation type: N.a.
Website: http://www.ksu.edu.tr
Total budget: EUR 370 000.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 329 300.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 40 700.00
- Fundación de la Comunidad Valenciana para una Economía Baja en Carbono
-
Name: Fundación de la Comunidad Valenciana para una Economía Baja en Carbono
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 12951208 | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: False
Address: Paratge Les Grutes de Sant Josep, 12600 La Vall d ́Uixó (Castellón), Spain
Legal status: private
Organisation type: N.a.
Website: https://www.lowcarboneconomy.org/
Total budget: EUR 316 500.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 281 685.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 34 815.00
- Consorzio Regionale per la Ricerca Applicata e la Sperimentazione
-
Name: Consorzio Regionale per la Ricerca Applicata e la Sperimentazione
Partner’s ID if not PIC: 97155270826 | PROFIT MAKING: False ~ STATUS PUBLIC: True
Address: Via della Libertà, 90143 Palermo, Italy
Legal status: public
Organisation type: N.a.
Website: http://www.coreras.it
Total budget: EUR 293 400.00
Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 261 126.00
Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 89.00%
Partner contribution: EUR 32 274.00
Partners map
Lead partner
Project partner
Summary
Project acronym: ORIENTATE~A_T_2.4_0443
Project ID: 00003
Project start date: 2025-12-12
Project end date: 2028-06-11
Project status:
ongoingRelevant linked projects:
- 1. Enhancing green-skills in VET through citrus waste valorisation (CitriVET), Erasmus + (2019-2021) (EN) | LCEF (PP2) was the project coordinator of CITRIVET, while ARCES was partner.
- The Project CITRIVET offers valuable resources that the PPs will leverage to promote sustainable agricultural practices. Two outputs— the "Manual for Agricultural VET Teachers" and the "Toolkit"—have been analysed by the PPs and will be effectively utilised within ORIENTATE. The Manual “Transformation of Citrus Waste into Bioproducts” aims to innovate agricultural VET studies by converting citrus waste into essential oils, biofuel, and animal feed. This output enhances VET teacher competencies to integrate citrus waste transformation into curricula. It includes 3 modules: a) Introduction to Citrus Waster Valorisation (CWV), b) Methods and Technologies for CWV, and c) Bioproducts Market. The toolkit “Transforming Citrus Waste into Bioproducts” aims to enhance VET students' employability through high-quality international practices in citrus waste valorisation. It includes 3 modules:
- 1. Identify and manage citrus by-products economically and environmentally.
- 2. Commercial activities, consumer behavior, extracting and using essential oils, fostering critical thinking, and promoting environmental awareness.
- 3. New business models, transitioning from agriculture to rural start-ups.
- LEP and PP2, committed to fostering eco-friendly agricultural education, will incorporate these high-quality training materials into their sessions for experts from MPCs (TR, JO & LB). These materials, specifically designed to advance sustainable farming techniques, will empower local experts to implement the Pilot action in Turkey, thereby enhancing the overall sustainability of agriculture in this country. Access to these resources is streamlined, as both LEP and PP2 are partners in both ORIENTATE & CITRIVET. The training materials are available on the CITRIVET website (https://citrivet.eu/downloads/), ensuring that all consortium members can easily obtain and utilise them to drive positive environmental outcomes. (EN), 2. Climate Change Mitigation through an innovative goat feed based on agricultural waste recycling. Life LowCarbon Feed (LIFE 16 / / ES / 000088 CCM) (2017-2020) (EN) | Outputs from Life LowCarbon Feed have been analyzed by PPs and will be effectively utilised in ORIENTATE. LCEF (PP2) was Partner of it. Results achieved within the Pilot actions focused on the recovery of 69.43 tons of citrus waste and 18.73 tons of rice straw, as well as their conversion into feed:
- 1. Obtainment of a complete compound feed pellet for ruminants (LCFEED) based on citrus and rice wastes
- 2. Obtainment of a complementary feed for ruminants based on citrus leaves (LCCITRUS)
- 3. Three Sustainability Plans (Business, Environmental and Social Plans) with profitability greater than 20% for the products: LCCITRUS and LCFEED
- 4. Two Business Plans for the collection of pruning and its processing in LCCITRUS
- 5. Reduction of between 8% and 22% of GHG emissions in the digestion process of the goats through the use of novel foods: LCCITRUS and LCFEED
- 6. Publication of nutritional characteristics in Nutrinews magazine
- 7. Reduction of GHG emissions by 161 equivalent tons of CO2
- 8. Testing in situ and positive validation of both products (LCCITRUS & LCFEED) in several goat farms
- - Agreements from Valencian citrus cooperatives to supply citrus pruning to a processing company
- - A contract to manufacture the LCCITRUS product between the Onda citrus cooperative and the company Agroplus S.L.
- - Proposal for the Modification of the Rural Development Plan (RDP) on Agro-environmental aid in the Valencian Community
- - Local Plan of the Citrus Waste Management in the municipality of La Vall d’Uixó
- - Agreements and signature of letters of interest by different actors in the process at European level (ES, IT, FR, EL)
- - Creation of new business lines linked to the commercialization of both products.
- PP2 (LCEF) will assist PPs in developing a Pilot action for MPCs (TR & JO) and integrating results into training. Policy proposals will be included in MoUs (WP6). PP2 ensures easy access to the Pilot results through its repository and website:https://lifelowcarbonfeed.com/en/resultados (EN), 3. Valorisation of Bio-waste from the Olive Oil Extraction Process: LIFE OLEA REGENERA (LIFE17 ENV/ES/000189) (2018-2022) (EN) | The Project LIFE OLEA REGENERA offers valuable resources that PPs will leverage to promote sustainable agricultural practices, especially in MPCs.
- LCEF (PP2) was one of the main stakeholders of it. The project aims to design and develop a new process for olive oil mills to valorise waste generated during olive oil extraction. The project's process produces two new by-products from waste, utilized for eco-friendly items, enhancing alperujo value. The generated zero-waste biostimulants and bioprotectors improve crop growth and protection, while functional animal feed is also produced. Additionally, this process reduces polluting emissions. Outputs from this project have been analysed by PPs and will be effectively utilised in ORIENTATE, as follows:
- a. An innovative physical process has been developed, enabling olive mills to fully utilise olive pomace (OP) waste by transforming it into valuable by-products. This has completely resolved the OP issue in the mills, as it is now fully reused. Approximately 12.495 tons of olive pomace were transformed into by-products, exceeding initial expectations. These by-products include a liquid fraction (L3) and a solid fraction (S1+S2), which are used as raw materials for other products such as bio-stimulants and animal feed. Additionally, this process has significantly reduced the amount of waste generated, decreasing gas emissions and energy consumption during transportation.
- b. Six new eco-friendly and zero-waste products were developed, proving effective as bio-stimulants and bio-protectors in various crops.
- c. New pig functional food, rich in olive-derived monounsaturated fatty acids & nutrients, boosts health, growth & meat antioxidants.
- PP2 (LCEF) will assist PPs in developing a Pilot plan for MPCs (JO & LB) and integrating results into training. Policy proposals will be included in MoUs (WP6).
- PP2 ensures easy access to the Pilot results through its repository and website: https://lifeolearegenera.com/en/results/ (EN), 4. C.L.I.M.A: Combat against climate change: circular economy actions and production processes’ sustainability (2020-2023) (EN) | The C.L.I.M.A. project is led by the Citrus Production District of Sicily (Associate Partner No. 1 of the ORIENTATE) and ARCES (LEP), supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation. CLIMA provides valuable resources to promote sustainable agricultural practices within the Consortium. Key outputs of the CLIMA have been analysed and will be effectively utilised within ORIENTATE. Both projects focus on new circular economy models, particularly reusing waste from the citrus fruit supply chain, like citrus pulp. Furthermore, both projects are dedicated to training experts in maximising the value of citrus waste through sustainable extraction processes.
- CLIMA has conducted training activities and workshops in Sicily, facilitating knowledge transfer through inter-company exchanges and farm visits focused on using citrus pastazzo for biogas and animal feed production. During the Jobshadowing (WP3), partners from MPCs (PP3, PP4 & PP5) and their experts will visit local farms involved in CLIMA to showcase existing technologies and sustainable processes for pastazzo waste transformation. Member of the Citrus Fruit District (52 cooperatives, farms, producer organizations, etc.) have developed pilot actions in Sicily, strengthened by technology. They will host delegations from the three MPCs (TR, JO and LB). A biological citrus processing plant and experimental cattle farm in Sicily will be accessible for partners (KSU, NARC, and PDA) and their experts to evaluate methane emission reduction in ruminants fed with pulp-based feed. Training materials from CLIMA will support training in MPCs, particularly in Turkey, facilitated by LEP (ARCES), AP No. 1, PP1 and PP2. They will assist PPs in developing a pilot plan for Turkey and integrating results into further training. Policy proposals will be included in MoUs (WP6). LEP and AP No. 1 ensure easy access to outputs via their repositories and the websites: https://www.distrettoagrumidisicilia.it/en/projects/clima-project/;
- https://t.ly/XF_-B (EN), 5. Social Farming (2017-2020), co-funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation (EN) | The SOCIAL FARMING project, led by the Citrus Production District of Sicily (Associate No. 1 of ORIENTATE) and ARCES (LEP), with support from The Coca-Cola Foundation, focuses on enhancing the Sicilian citrus supply chain. The project includes comprehensive seminars and theoretical/practical training sessions aimed at technical professionalism and entrepreneurship in citrus production and processing. These training activities, spanning 240 hours each for approximately 200 participants across 3 editions, feature highly specialised lecturers, agronomic technicians, social cooperatives, industry representatives, and leading companies associated with the District of Sicily.
- ARCES hosted training sessions focused on the preservation and processing of citrus fruits and their derivatives, aimed at preparing specialised workers for processing facilities. Two editions were conducted, each consisting of 60 hours of training (theory and internship). Farm visits were organized in Palermo, Catania, Siracusa, Ribera, and Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto to provide practical exposure.
- During the Jobshadowing phase (WP3), partners from MPCs (PP3, PP4, and PP5) and their experts will visit local farms engaged in SOCIAL FARMING to learn about existing technologies and sustainable processes for transforming pastazzo waste. Members of the Citrus District, comprising 52 cooperatives, farms, and producer organizations, have developed pilot actions in Sicily, which will serve as models for visiting delegations from TR, JO & LB.
- Training materials from Social Farming will support training initiatives in MPCs, particularly in TR, facilitated by LEP (ARCES), AP No. 1, PP1 and PP2. These materials will assist partners in developing pilot plans for TR and integrating results into further training. Policy proposals will be included in MoUs (WP6). LEP and AP No.1 ensure easy access to project outputs through their repositories and the websites: https://www.arces.it/?s=SOCIAL+FARMING; https://t.ly/gQUI5 (EN), 6. SMART-UP - Project funded under Measure 16.1 - Support for the establishment and management of operational groups of the EIP on agricultural productivity and sustainability - of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) Sicily 2014-2020. (EN) | CORERAS (PP1), along with its esteemed member, University of Catania (https://www.coreras.it/chi-siamo/partner), leverages the expertise acquired from the project SMART-UP to enhance ORIENTATE. The pilot actions of SMART-UP project, led by the University of Catania, have been analysed by the PPs and will be utilised within ORIENTATE. The project's goal is to recover valuable substances with medicinal properties from food and non-food waste. Citrus pulp and olive leaves were used to make a dietary supplement, while snail slime and edible flower scraps were used to create a cosmetic formula. This waste was repurposed to develop innovative products like a moisturising, antioxidant lotion with anti-aging effects and a nutraceutical food supplement. This approach boosts production profitability, diversifies product offerings, and opens up new markets. The project's activities significantly reduced costs and environmental impact for the participating farms, enabling them to reinvent themselves and capture new markets through waste reuse. The new formulations developed have been standardised and accompanied by certificates of analysis, making them suitable for use in both the nutraceutical and cosmeceutical sectors. This innovation has also expanded the application of products obtained through nanoformulations, which hold potential interest for the pharmaceutical industry. During the Jobshadowing (WP3), PP3, PP4, and PP5 and their experts will visit local farms engaged by SMART-UP to learn about existing technologies and sustainable processes adopted by them in this project.
- Training materials from SMART-UP will support training initiatives in MPCs (TR, JO & LB), facilitated by PP1, AP 2, AP3, LEP and PP2. These materials will assist partners in developing pilot plans for JO and LB. Policy proposals will be included in MoUs (WP6). PP1, AP 2, and AP3 ensure easy access to project outputs through their repositories and the website: https://www.progettosmartup.it/il-progetto/ (EN), 7. UNIDO Circular Economy - Resource Efficiency project (EN) | PDA Lebanon (PP5), together with its esteemed associated partner, the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture, leverages the expertise gained from the UNIDO Circular Economy – Resource Efficiency project, known as “The 2Circular Project,” to strengthen the ORIENTATE initiative. Additionally, the regional office of the Ministry of Industry was actively involved as a key stakeholder during the project’s design phase. The 2Circular Project is implemented in partnership with the Lebanese Ministries of Industry, Environment, Economy & Trade, and Finance. Its primary goal is to enhance resource efficiency and promote circular business models within the Lebanese private sector, with a particular focus on the food and beverage industry.
- The project targets 30 to 40 factories in the food and beverage sector, applying the ‘TEST’ methodology to improve resource efficiency, foster the development of circular economy business models that drive innovation and sustainability, facilitate financing for SMEs to adopt sustainable practices, and support Lebanon’s green transformation in close coordination with the Ministry of Industry.
- Following the ORIENTATE project kick-off, a coordination meeting will be organized between PDA, the Ministry of Industry, and the UNIDO representative to explore synergies, ensure complementarity, and prevent potential overlaps—particularly concerning circular economy practices in the olive and citrus sectors.
- Training materials developed under the 2Circular Project will support training activities in MPCs (Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon). The TEST methodology applied in this project will be reviewed and potentially integrated into the ORIENTATE project activities. (EN)
Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 550 400.00
Total EU funding (amount): EUR 2 269 855.98
Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 89.00%
Co-financing sources:
Investments, deliverables, policy contributions
(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)
Contribution to wider strategies and policies:
Programme Common Output Indicator:
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RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
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RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
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RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:
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RCO 081 - Participations in joint actions across borders, Measurement unit:
Programme Common Result Indicator:
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RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
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RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
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RCR 085 - Participations in joint actions across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project
Financing programme
2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B NEXT Mediterranean Sea Basin (NEXT MED)
Latest month of project-partner-call data publication
2026-06
No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)
59 / 59 (100%)
No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)
392 / 392 (100%)
Notes on the data
There are discrepancies in this programme's financial data in keep.eu. Namely, in one or more cases, the sum of the project partners' budgets exceeds the total budget of the respective project. Interact is working with the Programme to correct those figures.