Firefighting Open Innovation Lab – CILIFO celebrates International Youth Day

12.08.2020. International Youth Day provides an opportunity to celebrate and incorporate the voices, actions and initiatives of young people, and their meaningful, universal and equitable participation. According to the UN website, the theme of International Youth Day 2020, “Youth Commitment for Global Action”, seeks to highlight the ways in which youth participation at local, national and global levels is enriching national and multilateral institutions and processes, as well as to draw lessons on how their representation and participation in formal institutional policy can be significantly improved. The Iberian Centre for Research and Fight against Forest Fires (CILIFO) is aligning itself with this international day by being part of the Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY) programme, which offers young volunteers between 18 and 30 years old the opportunity to volunteer in cross-border, transnational or interregional programmes and related projects. IVY is part of the European Solidarity Body Initiative launched by the European Commission and is a programme that allows internships to be carried out within an approved Interreg project partnership. In this line, CILIFO is 75% funded by the Interreg VA Spain – Portugal – POCTEP (2014-2020) Cross-border Cooperation Programme. CILIFO’s dimension with the training of young people is of high social importance for a challenge: labour insertion.

European Green Deal call

03.08.2020. Preventing and fighting extreme forest fires by integrating and demonstrating innovative means. Combating climate change and making Europe climate neutral by 2050 is one of the main priorities of the European Commission. This is why this call for the European Green Deal will mobilise research and innovation to promote a fair and sustainable social transition with the aim of ‘leaving no one behind’. It will support: pilot applications, demonstration projects and innovative products; innovation for better governance of the green and digital transition; and social and value chain innovation. The call contains 11 areas. Eight thematic areas reflecting the key workflows of the European Green Deal. The themes target specific high-impact technological and social innovations that can help to advance the sustainable transition relatively quickly. Three horizontal areas (knowledge strengthening, citizens’ empowerment and international cooperation) covering all eight thematic areas and offering a longer term perspective for achieving the transformations set out in the European Green Deal. Area 1: INCREASING CLIMATE AMBITION AND THE IMPACT OF GREEN DEAL WITH CROSS-CUTTING SOLUTIONS Preventing and fighting extreme forest fires by integrating and demonstrating innovative means Objective: to reduce the incidence and extent of forest fires and increase the capacity to predict and manage environmental disasters by accelerating R&D, integrating, adapting and demonstrating holistic solutions ready for scaling up and deployment at local, regional, national, EU and international levels. Proposed activities: Environmental, climate and socio-economic research, forecasting and strategy (e.g. biomass). Research, innovation and pre-deployment of improved ground and airborne systems and techniques and capabilities (physical and digital) to prevent, predict, control, extinguish and recover. Proactive governance, large-scale and community-based risk assessments, education/training, preparedness and adaptation. Call opening: mid-September 2020 Link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/strategy/european-green-deal/call_en Contact: Beatriz Martinez: beatriz.martinez@finnova.eu  

The President of the Andalusian Regional Government supports the CILIFO Project for research and technology 3.0 for fighting fires in Doñana

30.07.2020. The President of the Andalusian Government, Juanma Moreno, promotes the Euroregion Alentejo-Algarve Andalucía in the Acebrón de Doñana Palace by showing a ‘Plan_INFOCA’ prepared and equipped with advanced technology to fight fires 3.0. During the event, held on Tuesday, July 28, 2020, demonstrations of the Systems Applied to Forest Fire Emergency Management in the framework of the CILIFO Project were carried out. Recently, the Infocus Device has implemented a system for locating terrestrial means based on satellite communications. The systems for obtaining operational information using Drones were also shown. INFOCA, for several years, has implemented the use of unmanned aircraft (RPAS or Drones) to obtain information about the state of the fires during the night period. The event was attended by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development, Carmen Crespo, the president of the Commission for Coordination and Regional Development (CCDR) of the Algarve, Francisco Serra, the president of the Commission for Coordination and Regional Development of Alentejo, Joaquin Roberto Pereira Grilo and representing the Agency, the Managing Director, Javier De Torre Mandri and several colleagues as Amador Moreno Robles, Francisco Senra Rivero and a group of forest firefighters from Hinojos and Almonte belonging to the base of cabezudos.

Grants to promote cross-border cooperation in the Euroregion Alentejo-Algarve-Andalucía

30.07.2020. Cross-border cooperation enables common challenges identified jointly between border regions to be tackled and aims to develop the potential for integrated growth in a European context, while at the same time deepening mutual understanding between citizens and their institutions on both sides of the border. Recently, the regulatory bases for the granting of subsidies, on a non-competitive basis, aimed at promoting cross-border cooperation in the Euroregion Alentejo-Algarve-Andalucía have been published. Call: Order of 13 July 2020, approving the regulatory bases for the granting of subsidies, under a non-competitive regime, aimed at promoting cross-border cooperation in the Euroregion Alentejo-Algarve-Andalusia Organism responsible: Regional Ministry of the Presidency, Public Administrations and the Interior of the Junta de Andalucía ABOUT THE CALL Applicants: Local entities. Universities. Public or private non-profit institutions and entities and European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation. Requirements: Be legally constituted and registered, if applicable, in the corresponding public register. Be located, have their headquarters or registered office in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia. Have sufficient financial resources, from their own or external sources, to cover the amount not subsidised by this Regional Ministry. Have sufficient technical and administrative capacity to carry out the project or activity for which the subsidy is requested. Deadline: 30.19.2020 Related links: https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/eboja/2020/148/BOJA20-148-00011-8599-01_00175940.pdf Contact: Beatriz Martinez: beatriz.martinez@finnova.eu

Biscay Bay Startup Campus rewards projects that solve global disasters with up to 17,500 €

28.07.2020. Biscay Bay Startup Campus (BBSC) is the largest gathering of young entrepreneurs in southern Europe, organized by Startup Campus. For the third consecutive year, the BBSC Awards are held to reward all types of technological and humanistic solutions with a global impact. Global disasters such as pandemics, natural disasters or economic crises are challenging the political, economic and social system. This year, they are also looking for ideas and projects from any industry, and at an early stage, that combat their effects, making use of ingenuity and technology. The deadline for submitting applications is July 31, 2020, all information here. AWARDS The 3 winning projects receive: 1. 10,000 euros + expert advice + office space for 1 year 2. 5,000 + expert advice + office space for 1 year 3. 2,500 + expert advice + office space for 1 year This is the 3rd edition of the BBSC Awards, the competition for innovative companies that most rewards start-ups in northern Spain, in which more than 110 projects from different industries and countries have been presented in previous editions, according to El Referente. CONTACT: Beatriz Martínez Muñoz (European Projects and Communication Technician at Finnova): beatriz.martinez@finnova.eu

The registration for EU Green Week 2020 (#EUGreenWeek2020) in Brussels is open

27.07.2020. The EU Green Week 2020 conference will take place at «The Square» Convention Centre in Brussels from 20-22 October 2020, focusing this year on biodiversity and nature, and green recovery. Following the adoption of a new EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 in May, Green Week will highlight the contribution that biodiversity can make to society and the economy, and the role it can play in supporting and stimulating recovery in a post-pandemic world, bringing jobs and sustainable growth. The new strategy shows how recovery is an opportunity for a new beginning, knowing that transformative change is possible. It is an opportunity to rethink our relationship with nature, to change the activities that are driving biodiversity loss and the wider ecological crisis, and to weigh the consequences for our economy and society. EU Green Week will examine how EU policies, such as the European Green Deal, can help protect and restore nature, leaving space for it to recover and thrive. Registration link to the conference (Brussels): https://bit.ly/3ggKk7H  Please note that places for these sessions are limited and there is no guarantee of a place. Access to the rooms will be available 15 minutes before the start of each session and places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The link for the virtual event will be provided shortly. PARTNER EVENTS EU GREEN WEEK 2020 In addition to the EU Green Week conference, you can register for associated events, which will take place between 14 September and 23 October 2020. Partner events can be organized as new initiatives or as part of existing planned events. If you are planning an event between 14 September and 23 October 2020, or if you would like to organize one, please contact the Finnova Foundation and we will help you. Any type of event is eligible, whether it is a workshop, guided tour, exhibition, fair, open day or an online event, etc. The only requirement is that it must be relevant to the EU’s Green Week 2020 theme. Registration deadline: 31 July 2020 The Iberian Centre for Research and Fight against Forest Fires (CILIFO) will be part of the EU Green Week, through the Finnova Foundation in collaboration with the University of Cordoba, the University of Cadiz (beneficiaries of the CILIFO project), GoHub and the city of Villamarxant (Valencia). These are the events approved by the European Commission within the framework of European Green Week 2020. 1. Villamarxant, Valencia, Spain (Friday, 25th September 2020). PROJECT CILIFO – SEMINAR ON EU FUNDING FOR INNOVATIVE PROJECTS FOR FOREST FIREFIGHTING AND BIODIVERSITY PROTECTION. Vilamarxant as an antenna of the CILIFO project (Firefighting Open Innovation Lab) and presentation of the 2nd edition of the Firefighting Startup Europe Awards (SEUA) 2020. 2. Seville, Spain (Monday, 28 September 2020): CILIFO PROJECT. SEMINAR (I) ON COMMUNITY FINANCIAL SOURCES FOR PROJECTS WITH INNOVATIVE WATER SOLUTIONS FOR PREVENTION AND EXTINCTION OF FOREST FIRES; AND PROTECTION OF BIODIVERSITY. 3. Cadiz, Spain (Monday, 19 October 2020): CILIFO PROJECT. SEMINAR (II) ON COMMUNITY FINANCIAL SOURCES FOR PROJECTS WITH INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR PREVENTION AND EXTINCTION OF FOREST FIRES; AND PROTECTION OF BIODIVERSITY. 4. Córdoba, Spain (Wednesday, 21 October 2020): CILIFO PROJECT. SEMINAR (III) ON COMMUNITY FINANCIAL SOURCES FOR PROJECTS WITH INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR PREVENTION AND EXTINCTION OF FOREST FIRES; AND PROTECTION OF BIODIVERSITY. For more information, please contact the Finnova Foundation (beatriz.martinez@finnova.eu / jrequena@finnova.eu) or visit the EU Green Week 2020 website: www.eugreenweek.eu  

DISARM: EU tool against forest fires

24.07.2020. Greece’s fire team has DISARM, a European project to prevent, treat and mitigate the impact of drought and forest fires. DISARM provides tools for an early warning system, which facilitates the task of rescue teams and firefighters. Fire chief Zisoula Ntasiou explains that years ago «it was not possible to send photos and videos on the ground. Therefore, the team leader did not have the information he needed. But now we can send videos and photos and, most importantly, we have this fire prediction model that shows the course of the fire,» according to Euronews. DISARM’s budget is ?1,028,547, 85% of which is covered by the EU’s cohesion policy and 15% by the national funds of Greece, Bulgaria and Cyprus (the three countries participating in the project). This is how the DISARM early warning system works:  

More than 200 people watch the launching webinar of the Accelerathon – CILIFO

16.6.2020. Finnova Foundation, as beneficiary of Iberian Centre for Research and Forest Firefighting (CILIFO), organized a webinar on Monday, 15 June 2020 (from 10:00 to 12:00 CEST) about the Accelerathon – CILIFO on prevention and extinction of forest fires, and the recovery of affected habitats. The webinar of Accelerathon – CILIFO, an open innovation programme organised by Startup Europe Accelerator of Finnova, was addressed to civil society, entrepreneurs, technological institutes, organizations and universities. The highest number of participants in Zoom was 73 at a time. The event started with a first intervention by Juan Sánchez (Junta de Andalucía). It began with 59 participants and finished with 60. However, the total number of people registered at Zoom for the event was 98 (but they did not connect all at once). In addition, it should be noted that the event was broadcasted on @CILIFO.UE’s Facebook and has now 248 reproductions. However, it is estimated that a total of 346 people accessed the webinar (98 those registered by Zoom, plus 248 reproductions on Facebook). Aims of the webinar: to provide information about the CILIFO Project and its progress, to make the work carried out by each beneficiary public, and to promote networking and open innovation through the incubator Firefighting Open Innovation Lab – CILIFO. The accelerator of this project makes it possible to identify innovative solutions to common challenges that can attract Community funds through open calls such as the LIFE Programme on Environment. Guests at the webinar: we had among our speakers beneficiaries of the CILIFO project; external enterprises and projects, and experts in the Accelerathon methodology of Finnova Foundation (have a look at the Agenda). One of the objectives of this online event was to disclose the work carried out on forest fires by the project’s beneficiaries themselves. These were the representatives of the members of the partnership who participated in the webinar: • B1-CMAOT (Consejería de Agricultura, Ganadería, Pesca y Desarrollo Sostenible. Junta de Andalucía) • B2-AMAYA (Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Agua. Junta de Andalucía) • B3-CSIC-EBD (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Estación Biológica de Doñana) • B4-ONCE (Fundación ONCE para la Cooperación e Inclusión Social de Personas con Discapacidad) • B5-INIA (Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria) • B6-UCA (Universidad de Cádiz) • B7-UCO (Universidad de Córdoba) • B9-AMAL (Comunidad de Intermunicipal do Algarve) • B11-LOULÉ (Municipio de Loulé) • B14-FINNOVA (Fundación Delegación Fundación Finnova) • B15-U. ÉVORA (Universidad de Évora) Other entities invited to the event exposed their experience regarding prevention and extinction of forest fires, and post-fire recovery: • Diputación de Ávila • GESPLAN S.A. • Universidad Politécnica de Valencia • Fundación Canaria para la Reforestación (FORESTA) • Tragsa • Asociación Foro de Bosques y Cambio Climático You can watch the webinar again by clicking here ACCELERATHON-CILIFO Register here Challenges of the Accelerathon-CILIFO: address SDG 13 and 15 of the United Nations 2030 Agenda in order to innovate in the adoption of urgent measures for the combar of climate change and its effects. In addition, the Accelerathon-CILIFO seeks to protect, restore and promote a sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, to sustainably manage forests, to fight against desertification, to stop and reverse the degradation of soil and to stop the loss of biodiversity. The challenges to be addressed are: 1. The prevention of forest fires. 2. The extinction of forest fires. 3. The post-fire recovery of habitats. The purpose of these challenges is to identify innovative solutions, and attract enterprises, public and private entities, startups and entrepreneurs, so they can define their own environmental challenges concerning the prevention and fighting of forest fires, and the post-fire recovery of affected areas. This initiative aims to rise a series of innovative challenges in order to employ them in real life for the prevention and fighting of forest fires, and the post-fire recovery of affected areas, using for that purpose EU funds. Additionally, this tool will give visibility to the CILIFO Project and to the activity of cross-border beneficiaries from the Euroregion Alentejo-Algarve-Andalucía. Who is the Accelerathon-CILIFO for? Accelerathon is an innovation competition for entrepreneurs, universities, institutes of technology, business associations, municipalities, industrial parks, SMEs, and public and private entities from all over the world. The only condition is to be engaged with the above-mentioned challenges. This is a team competition that includes training: the different teams will be able to make use of e-learning tools and apply the LIFE methodology. A joint work will be developed in order to achieve optimal solutions. Participants will be offered to enrol in a training session on EU funding. Duration and awards: The Accelerathon-CILIFO programme will be held during approximately two weeks, from 17th June (deadline for registration) until 26th June (final round). The prize will be a European acceleration ticket that will provide access to Community funds, to internationalization or to the co-drafting of a European project related to CILIFO’s themes. CONTACT: Beatriz Martínez Muñoz (Técnica de Proyectos Europeos y Comunicación en Finnova) beatriz.martinez@finnova.eu +34 605 52 10 84 José Manuel Requena Benítez (Gestor de Proyectos Internacionales en Finnova) jrequena@finnova.eu +34 639 99 15 27

CILIFO launches, through the Finnova Foundation, an Accelerathon on prevention and fighting of forest fires, and the post-fire recovery of affected habitats within the Euroregion Alentejo-Algarve-Andalucía

This Accelerathon will be introduced during a webinar celebrated next 15thJune 2020. Winners will receive a European acceleration ticket in order to get access to EU funds, internationalize or attract an investment of up to €2 million for a pilot project. 05.06.2020. Finnova Foundation has organised, as a partner of the Iberian Centre for Research and Forest Firefighting (CILIFO by its acronym in Spanish), an Accelerathon on prevention and fighting of forest fires, and the post-fire recovery of burnt areas. This initiative aims to rise a series of innovative challenges in order to employ them in real life for the prevention and fighting of forest fires, and the post-fire recovery of affected areas, using for that purpose EU funds. Additionally, this tool will give visibility to the CILIFO Project and to the activity of cross-border beneficiaries from the Euroregion Alentejo-Algarve-Andalucía. Accelerathon-CILIFO encourages networking and open innovation through its incubation programme Firefighting Open Innovation Lab – CILIFO. CILIFO’s accelerator would bring in innovative solutions to common challenges that could receive Community funds applying for open calls of the LIFE programme on Environment, among other EU programmes. The Accelerathon-CILIFO will be introduced by Finnova Foundation during a webinar on Zoom that will take place on Monday, 15th June 2020, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (CEST). We will disclose more information concerning the speakers that will participate in the webinar and how to attend very soon. Participate in the Accelerathon-CILIFO here. WHAT IS ACCELERATHON? Accelerathon is an acceleration programme for innovative projects powered by Finnova Foundation. Finnova’s methodology aims to find solutions and funding for projects through an applied, online open innovation system. Its objective is to bind together all the actors from the innovative ecosystem related to environment, a domain in which the European Commission is currently working. In order to accomplish that purpose, there will be training, mentors, a jury and some very special prizes. One of them is that the winner will have the possibility to present its project to an EU open call, such as the LIFE programme, and receive up to €2 million for its project for a period of three years. ACCELERATHON’S GOAL AND CHALLENGE The aim is to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs 13 and 15 of the United Nations through innovation on the adoption of urgent measures in order to combat climate change and its impacts, and protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. The challenges presented are: Prevention of forest fires. Fighting of forest fires. Recovery of habitats after forest fires. The purpose of these challenges is to identify innovative solutions, and attract enterprises, public and private entities, startups and entrepreneurs, so they can define their own environmental challenges concerning the prevention and fighting of forest fires, and the post-fire recovery of affected areas. ACCELERATHON – CILIFO Who is it for? Accelerathon is an innovation competition for entrepreneurs, universities, institutes of technology, business associations, municipalities, industrial parks, SMEs, and public and private entities from all over the world. The only condition is to be engaged with the above-mentioned challenges. Team competition and training During the competition, the different teams will be able to make use of e-learning tools and apply the LIFE methodology. A joint work will be developed in order to achieve optimal solutions. Participants will be offered to enrol in a training session on EU funding. Duration and awards The Accelerathon-CILIFO programme will be held during approximately two weeks, from 17th June (deadline for registration) until 26th June (final round). The prize will be a European acceleration ticket that will provide access to Community funds, to internationalization or to the co-drafting of a European project related to CILIFO’s themes. Download the Accelerathon-CILIFO roadmap here. CONTACT: Beatriz Martínez Muñoz (EU Project and Communications Officer at Finnova) beatriz.martinez@finnova.eu +34 605 52 10 84   José Manuel Requena Benítez (International Project Manager at Finnova) jrequena@finnova.eu +34 639 99 15 27  

CILIFO, through the Finnova Foundation, launches an Accelerathon on prevention and fighting of forest fires, and the post-fire recovery of affected habitats within the Euroregion Alentejo-Algarve-Andalucía

This Accelerathon will be introduced during a webinar celebrated next 15thJune 2020 Winners will receive a European acceleration ticket in order to get access to EU funds, internationalize or attract an investment of up to €2 million for a pilot project 05.06.2020. Finnova Foundation has organised, as a partner of the Iberian Centre for Research and Forest Firefighting (CILIFO by its acronym in Spanish), an Accelerathon on prevention and fighting of forest fires, and the post-fire recovery of burnt areas. This initiative aims to rise a series of innovative challenges in order to employ them in real life for the prevention and fighting of forest fires, and the post-fire recovery of affected areas, using for that purpose EU funds. Additionally, this tool will give visibility to the CILIFO Project and to the activity of cross-border beneficiaries from the Euroregion Alentejo-Algarve-Andalucía. Accelerathon-CILIFO encourages networking and open innovation through its incubation programme Firefighting Open Innovation Lab – CILIFO. CILIFO’s accelerator would bring in innovative solutions to common challenges that could receive Community funds applying for open calls of the LIFE programme on Environment, among other EU programmes. Participate in the Accelerathon-CILIFO here. The Accelerathon-CILIFO will be introduced by Finnova Foundation during a webinar on Zoom that will take place on Monday, 15th June 2020, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (CEST). We will disclose more information concerning the speakers that will participate in the webinar and how to attend very soon. WHAT IS ACCELERATHON? Accelerathon is an acceleration programme for innovative projects powered by Finnova Foundation. Finnova’s methodology aims to find solutions and funding for projects through an applied, online open innovation system. Its objective is to bind together all the actors from the innovative ecosystem related to environment, a domain in which the European Commission is currently working. In order to accomplish that purpose, there will be training, mentors, a jury and some very special prizes. One of them is that the winner will have the possibility to present its project to an EU open call, such as the LIFE programme, and receive up to €2 million for its project for a period of three years. ACCELERATHON’S GOAL AND CHALLENGE The aim is to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs 13 and 15 of the United Nations through innovation on the adoption of urgent measures in order to combat climate change and its impacts, and protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. The challenges presented are: Prevention of forest fires. Fighting of forest fires. Recovery of habitats after forest fires. The purpose of these challenges is to identify innovative solutions, and attract enterprises, public and private entities, startups and entrepreneurs, so they can define their own environmental challenges concerning the prevention and fighting of forest fires, and the post-fire recovery of affected areas. ACCELERATHON – CILIFO ACCELERATHON – CILIFO Who is it for? Accelerathon is an innovation competition for entrepreneurs, universities, institutes of technology, business associations, municipalities, industrial parks, SMEs, and public and private entities from all over the world. The only condition is to be engaged with the above-mentioned challenges. Team competition and training During the competition, the different teams will be able to make use of e-learning tools and apply the LIFE methodology. A joint work will be developed in order to achieve optimal solutions. Participants will be offered to enrol in a training session on EU funding Download the Accelerathon-CILIFO roadmap here CONTACT: Beatriz Martínez Muñoz (EU Project and Communications Officer at Finnova) beatriz.martinez@finnova.eu +34 605 52 10 84 José Manuel Requena Benítez (International Project Manager at Finnova) jrequena@finnova.eu  +34 639 99 15 27