INTERREG-SUDOE Asca Project: Accelerating smart capacities in agroindustry

SMEs in the agri-food sector face several common challenges: rising costs, technological advancements, and climate change. Furthermore, the flow of knowledge between academia and the business sector is limited, especially in the more rural areas of the SUDOE region, undermining their competitiveness and talent retention. To achieve effective knowledge transfer to SMEs, two complementary actions will be designed: 1) Knowledge transfer through a challenge-based approach.

ASCA will develop two joint training programs: The first will be aimed at 170 agribusiness SMEs, helping them understand their challenges and potential solutions. The second will be for 280 higher education students (Master's or PhD) who will participate in the knowledge transfer of the next phase. 2) Transforming Challenges into Projects. The programs will be interconnected, assigning 100 qualified students to 100 SMEs that wish to transform the selected challenge into a project, under the supervision of a tutor from the partner organizations. ASCA represents a significant innovation compared to traditional models, as it is based on a transnational approach in which 10 major organizations in our region will work together. It facilitates direct and practical collaboration between students (STEM) and SMEs, with students acting as facilitators of the companies' smart transition, fostering the retention of talent in the region and the circulation of knowledge.