There is a general lack of awareness of the importance of mineral raw materials in today’s society and an (overall) negative view on the concept of mining, strongly related to the use of non-modern, less environmentally-friendly and even outdated methods and technologies. This is particularly relevant for SMEs, which lack the tractor effect of big industries and therefore suffer from innovation deficit, cross-sector fertilisation and disruptive potential. In order to adapt to current trends and technologies, promote industrial modernisation and digitalisation of the sector, and embrace, interact and profit from other emerging industries, the mining & raw materials sectors must undergo a cross-sectoral and cross-fertilisation exercise, with a particular emphasis on SMEs, in order to develop novel industrial value chains that can support the integration of novel materials, techniques and processes. In this respect, industrial clusters and associated entities are therefore the ideal vehicle to promote and accelerate investments in order to develop innovation capacity and product development in SMEs. The overall aim of MINE.THE.GAP is to provide a support platform for the reinforcement of existing value chains and the development of new industrial value chains in the raw materials and mining "target" sectors by means of cross-sectoral and cross-regional innovation and support services in cluster-related SMEs through synergies and interactions with providers and facilitators from the existing and emerging fields of ICT, circular economy, resource efficiency and advanced manufacturing ("provider" sectors"). A well-balanced consortium comprising of 9 Clusters, 1 RTO and 1 Association from 9 regions and 7 European countries representing over 500 SMEs participate in the project to develop a three layered management structure, methodology and strategy including direct financial support to SMEs, additional business support services and access to new investments.

Europe’s transition to a circular and climate-neutral economy is as much an environmental, economic and social necessity as it is an opportunity for European businesses and citizens. To meet the targets and ambition set out by EU Circular Economy policies and actualise circular value chains as a competitive advantage, DigiCirc will empower SMEs to leverage digital technology as a key enabler for innovative circular products/ services, processes and business models. To this end, DigiCirc will create and coordinate the DigiCirc innovation network, facilitated by an engagement campaign of 3 partner clusters, to bring together a wide-spectrum of ‘triple-helix’ stakeholders (local/ regional authorities, big industry actors, SMEs, RTOs, civil society, etc.). 3 strategic high-growth domains will be in scope (Circular Cities, Bioeconomy, Blue Economy), each represented by a leading cluster in the field. The Ecosystem will lay the foundation for a holistic, dynamic and cross-border/sector open space for innovation, implement through the DigiCirc accelerators (3 calls, one in each target domain). The accelerators will be run by innovation support experts to transform validated concepts into robust business models towards a commercial launch. This will involve (i) tailored business support: courses and coaching; (ii) identifying and establishing strategic partnerships (facilitated by a dedicated Matchmaking Tool) to create complementary consortia (thematic & SMEs with a LSD enabler partner, e.g. industry, local government); (iii) two circular data platforms to simplify data use and integration across complex value chains and environments thus boosting circular business plans and concepts. Finally, A DigiCirc Roadmap will be drafted to define the path for digital-enabled circular innovation in the 3 domains, the way-forward for each of the clusters to seize upon knowledge gained and identify/define concrete sustainability options for the DigiCirc innovation network.

Lower population and business density make it more challenging to develop private businesses and public services in rural areas, negatively impacting socio-economic indicators. Rural areas are key to solve climate change, food, biomass and energy challenges. Favourable climate for entrepreneurship is needed for better provision of jobs, basic services, including health and care, connectivity, smart transport, energy solutions and attractiveness as whole, overcoming digital divide between rural and urban areas. AURORAL focus on delivering a digital environment of interoperable services through platforms able to trigger dynamic rural ecosystems of innovation chains, applications and services. Thus, AURORAL contributes to increasing economic growth in rural areas and to tackle significant societal challenges. AURORAL digital environment is demonstrated by cost-efficient and flexible cross-domain applications through large-scale pilots in five European regions. AURORAL digital environment builds on an open, API-based, interoperable and federated IoT architecture and includes a reference implementation supporting flexible integration of heterogeneous services, bridging the interoperability gap of the smart object platforms and creating markets for services in rural areas. AURORAL digital environment addresses the integration of data and information across different platforms, establishment of an open market place, large-scale demonstration, multiplication of novel applications, the leverage of infrastructure and inclusion of public services. AURORAL pilots follow an evolutionary agile, well-delineated, and lean approach demonstrated in large-scale applications capable of meeting social and economic objectives critical to boost new rural services and business. AURORAL digital environment supports a vibrant ecosystem of developers, service providers and user communities and addresses barriers currently opposing the socio-economic development of rural areas.