Page 43 - A Handbook for Academia, Industry and Policymakers: Reinforcing the Innovation-Employability Nexus in the Mediterranean

42 REINFORCING THE INNOVATION-EMPLOYABILITY NEXUS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN REINFORCING THE INNOVATION-EMPLOYABILITY NEXUS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN 43

Examples and best practices

UEFM: UNIVERSITÉ EUR O-MÉDITERRANÉENNE DE FÈS
Theme: University
Funding: High Honorary Presidency Morocco
Programme & partner countries: Morocco How to promote employability
Start: 2013
More information: www.ueuromed.org/pro/fr/ and digitalisation
UEMF is a public utility and non-profit foundation labeled by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) with the support of its 43
countries members. The UEMF delivers diplomas recognised by the Moroccan State and several of its courses are dual diplomas
with the best Euro-Mediterranean universities.
CIHEAM: International Center for Advanced
BL UESKILLS
Theme: Skills development Mediterranean Agronomic Studies
Funding: UfM, Italian Ministry for Education, University and Research
Programme & partner countries: Algeria, Italy, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Libya, Portugal, Spain, France, Tunisia
Duration: 2019-2023
More information: https://ufmsecretariat.org/project/blueskills-blue-jobs/ Rural areas, agri-food sectors, fishing and coastal marine When considering innovation (technological and social) or
The ‘Blue Jobs and Responsible Growth in the Mediterranean throughout Enhancing Skills and Developing Capacities’ project development are rightly or wrongly considered as tedious, digitalisation, CIHEAM focuses on the land and sea professions
promotes opportunities for ‘Blue’ marine and maritime careers by developing skills, exchanging knowledge and valorising unprofitable and socially undervalued sectors and as as an avenue for sustainable local development, especially
research for more sustainable Mediterranean Sea. Its aim is to develop new curricula and increase employability in the marine such struggle to attract and retain qualified people. Most in marginalised areas. These professions are highly diverse,
and maritime sectors. graduates and young researchers hope to work at a ministry, and many mobilise advanced technologies. CIHEAM considers
a university or to go abroad. Yet, these opportunities are the farmer as a connected entrepreneur.
CREACT4MED: CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS ACTING FOR THE FUTURE MEDITERRANEAN quite limited. What will become of graduates who do
not find such employment and how can new and digital An important challenge is to develop new models of
Theme: Entrepreunership and social inclusion technologies support these graduates in their job search increasingly proactive learning and learning through practice,
Funding: EMEA, EU or in creating their own jobs? It is clear that the worlds of which promote the development of an entrepreneurial culture.
Programme & partner countries: Euro -Mediterranean research or administration are cut off from the realities on CIHEAM supports the development of design skills and
Start: 2013
More information: https://euromed-economists.org/creact4med/ the ground. They do not speak the same language as the innovative solutions for businesses, increased collaboration
farmer, the breeder or the fisherman. Working in silos does with businesses (such as open innovation and design thinking)
Organisation to enhance the role of culture and creativity as a vector for employment and resilience in eight South Neighbourhood not allow for the development of innovation and job creation during training, and self-entrepreneurship (start-ups).
Countries through untapping the potential of the cultural and creative industry (CCI) to create economic value, enhance growth, dynamics. Once again, the issue of the mobilisation of
create decent jobs and foster social inclusion. In doing do, a special emphasis is dedicated to youth and women. In order to technologies arises. CIHEAM offers a wide range of capacity building activities
accomplish this objective, CREACT4MED seeks to:
through its connected Institutes in France, Greece, Italy and
• Strengthen the role of CCI in public policy and strategic planning in eight SNCs
The issue of digitalisation highlights the rural-urban divide Spain. These initiatives demonstrate that the potential of
• Support new initiatives with a high potential for creating value (economic, social and cultural) and new CCI job opportunities, and and the unequal access to technological resources. There is digital technologies to create jobs depends on the quality
promoting entrepreneurship as a mean of self-realisation a digital gap between the northern and southern shores but and effectiveness of the training provided but also on the
• Improve operational and financial sustainability, replication strategies, exposure and interconnectivity of local CCI initiatives/ above all, there is a gap between cities and rural areas. See existence of an enabling ecosystem for innovation and
projects CIHEAM publication Rural Innovation and Digital Revolution multi-stakeholder dialogue. Unique or isolated initiatives lose
• Map CCI ecosystem in eight SNCs in order to increase knowledge on the CCI ecosystem and its potential to create economic, social in Agriculture available at: their value in the absence of an environment that facilitates
and cultural values in target countries https://www.ciheam.org/watchletters/wl-38/ their interoperability and connection. CIHEAM plays a political
• Design and implement the South MED Creative Youth and Women Training and Mentoring Academy in order to build capacities of role in this field as it strives to build an enabling environment
(future) young and female entrepreneurs active in CCI in target countries CIHEAM is an intergovernmental organisation devoted to that brings actors together in favour of smart rural cities and
• Design and implement the South MED Creative Youth and Women Programme in order to financially support (sub-grants) 24 training, research and cooperation for rural development, agriculture 3.0.
creative entrepreneurs/projects and 8 business incubators in the region agriculture and fisheries in the Mediterranean. They are
• Raise awareness and build community to ensure increased sustainability and interconnectivity of CCI projects/business initiatives, active at both ends of the employment chain – training www.ciheam.org
entrepreneurs, NGOs, start-ups, MSMEs (MED CCI HUB) students and creating jobs through local development
projects in the agro-food value chains. CIHEAM adopts an
EMEA : EUR O-MEDITERRANEAN ECONOMICS ASSOCIATION institutional approach towards employment, collaborating
and engaging in discourse across countries and regions.
Theme: Research network
Funding: EU (H2020), Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association (EMEA), UfM
Programme & partner countries: Euro -Mediterranean
Start: 2013
More information: https://euromed-economists.org/
The Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association strives to explore and understand the socio-economic and political challenges
facing economies in transition such as the Mediterranean and Africa amidst the global geopolitical uncertainties, economic and
financial crises and protracted conflicts.