The overall aim of Eco-Mind is to support SMEs seeking to develop innovative products and services in taking full advantage of the growing market for more environmentally acceptable products. To achieve this, Eco-mind partners will address the specific support needs of over 270 SMEs within the crossborder area covered by the project partners, and extend their reach to a further 600 through workshops, clinics, exhibitions and other crossborder activities. By linking up their expertise across the 2 Seas area, SMEs benefit from more development opportunities.Encouraging the public and in particular these SMEs to make full use of renewable energies is an important aspect of the project. The project will therefore profile the companies with most environmental and economic impact, analyse the needs of eco-entreprises, define market opportunities, constitute a team of eco-innovation support specialists from across the 2 Seas area, deliver a customer support programme, and last but not least, make policy recommendations to regional and national authorities concerning future eco-innovation support priorities, the suitability of existing support provision, and how “gaps” in provision might be addressed. Achievements: What were the key results of the project?- 1,087 individuals profiled- 798 diagnostics carried out- 234 questionnaires carried out- 295 companies received customised intensive support from the partnership.- 2 partners (CD2E & BSK-cic) generated 4 reports on eco-innovation, cluster & IP- Enviu and Delft TU assisted 21 entrepreneurs- CD2E and CCIGL guided 103 SMEs- BSK-CIC, CfSD, EnviroBusiness and WSX offered tailored services to 171 enterprises.- 6 case studies, 1 virtual map, 3 studies and 6 SME videos created.- 122 events with 3,716 participants and sponsorship of 124 individuals to attend events outside their country- 10 videos (viewed 11,450 times), 6 case studies, website information (32,730 online references), events promotion flyers distributed, presentations delivered, 1 virtual eco-innovation map & reference guides created.- 1 online tool to qualify eco-enterprises was created by CD2E- Winners of eco-innovation award: VFA (NL) in 2010, Kypple (FR) & Envisan in 2009- Best Start-Up KIEBA award: Aquaread (UK)- 1 company saved an estimated total of 2T of waste. 5 companies saved an estimated 306T of CO2 and 28,000m2 of water.Did all partners and territories benefit from the results?Target groups:The main impact of EcoMind in the local region has been on the partners, through increased practical knowledge on supporting SMEs and better understanding of the local support network.Beneficiaries: In the Netherlands, 62 young entrepreneurs, 285 participants via 11 events and 18 individuals were supported to participate in events outside the Netherlands. For the local SMEs the impact has been strengthened through business collaboration and access to specialist knowledge.In France, 453 local businesses were profiled to understand their requirements and 103 local entrepreneurs received intensive assistance. In addition, businesses and 3000 visitors benefitted from 73 events organised by local partners. 26 individuals were supported at events outside France.In the South of England, 572 companies were contacted to ascertain needs, 100 companies potential buyers of eco-innovative products were surveyed, 171 enterprises received intensive assistance. Small companies benefitted from 38 specialist events, attracting 530 visitors. Moreover, 80 individuals were sponsored to attend event outside England.What were the effects / outcomes for the territories involved?The regions have benefitted from increased skills on eco-innovation, increase internationalisation, improved carbon footprint and the emergence of local innovative leaders.Clusters in France have provided long-term benefit for SMEs and for the region by supporting innovative SMEs, access to funds, new jobs, and solutions to reduce environmental impacts and increased competiveness and skills.In the UK, the main outcomes have been an increase in green knowledge; carbon reductions and ongoing networks - for example the design network.In the Netherlands, there is a strengthened support network for new sustainable innovators.Finally, most of the partners are still working together either directly via the FUSION project.This project contributes to establishing a complete network around eco-innovation in the region, increasing its attractiveness for green investors and support its economy via green skilled job creation, local carbon reduction, new technologies and greening of supply chain.