On 25th September took place in Oslo, the seminar morning with the EEA and Norway Grants, organized by Innovation Norway and partners from 12 countries, including the Directorate General for Maritime Policy (DGPM), operator of the Blue Growth Programme in Portugal. As part of Oslo Innovation Week 2024, the main objective of this event was to strengthen international cooperation and the integration of circular economy into current business models.
The session had more than 100 participants registered, and started with the welcoming words from Magnar Ødelien, Director of EEA and Norway Grants at Innovation Norway. This was followed by speeches by Bjørn Haugland, Chief Executive Officer of the business-driven climate initiative Skift, and Benedikte Bekkevold Hansen, Project Manager at the Norwegian Centre of Circular Economy, who reflected on the need to incorporate the circular economy into current business models, presenting examples of partners who have already done so.
The session continued with the talks of some promoters, from different countries, who presented their insights and could demonstrate some projects considered best practice models in circular economy.
Finally, a networking session was held where the participants were able to connect with each other and establish contacts with companies and innovation agencies from all over Europe. The companies that integrated the Portuguese delegation had the opportunity to present their product (Beyond Composite), gain new perspectives on the challenges faced by the aquaculture industry, with the integration of renewable energies (SEAentia) and exchange experiences considering technology applied to the maritime sector (GoClever).
The overall assessment was very positive and enriching, allowing to consider new perspectives on the challenges that companies face and to publicize their innovative products, combining the blue economy with the circular economy.