A support centre for the settling of young people, critical mass and innovative ideas
The Support Centre for Innovative Projects and Ideas (CAPI) supports the development of innovative projects and ideas, with a strong emphasis on young people, supporting the I&DT Centre and the Incubation Centre and articulating the BLC3 structure with the Business Hosting Areas. It is the main link between BLC3 and society. Its main activities are project management, selecting and identifying sources of investment and funding, promoting structural investment and EU funds. It also includes the Bioeconomy and Economic Fabric Support Department and the Intellectual and Industrial Property Support Office (GABI).
- Bioeconomy dynamization in Portugal;
- Economic feasibility analysis;
- Stimulation of an innovative economic fabric;
- Selection and identification of investment and funding sources;
- Promotion of European, structural and investment funds, such as Horizon 2020 and Portugal 2020;
- Project Management;
- Support to Intellectual and Industrial Property.
The idea of a Bioeconomy based on modern, global, competitive and dynamic knowledge was created in 2000 at the Lisbon Summit organised by the European Union (EU). The EU identified the bioeconomy as a fundamental pillar of European development in its strategy for the 2014-2020 period. Within the Support Centre for Innovative Projects and Ideas, the ‘Department of Bioeconomy and Support for the Economic Fabric’ was created with the following mission and objectives:
- To provide the socio-economic fabric with a highly skilled structure in the areas of human resources, engineering, biotechnology, chemistry, computer science, nanotechnology and economy;
- To act as a business department for the promotion of companies and industrial/regional symbiosis and to be the basis for innovative and technological growth for companies;
- To conduct thematic meetings with the economic fabric to create a new entrepreneurship spirit;
- To establish young critical mass in the region;
- To develop new projects for an efficient utilization of the land and its resources;
- To promote interconnections between processes and value chains for the decarbonization and dematerialization of the economic activity by investing in a smart and sustainable growth and promoting the Circular Economy concept.
Contact us: bioeconomia.empresas@blc3.pt
The protection of ideas, projects and business models is vital to the success of any business project. This department operates with the aim of supporting the development of strategies and actions for the intellectual and industrial protection of business ideas and the transfer of knowledge from the scientific and technological system to the economic fabric.
The Young Farmer's Club is a strategic club launched by BLC3 at the beginning of September 2011. The club aims to bring together young farmers from the region or who intend to settle in the region up to the age of 40, in order to promote and relaunch agricultural activity within this age group, with an emphasis on fruit growing.
For example, the "Beira Serra" region - Arganil, Góis, Oliveira do Hospital and Tábua - according to the latest data from the 2009 agricultural census, only had 6 young farmers under the age of 25, compared to 1,354 farmers over the age of 65. The average farm area in Portugal is 12.74 ha, but the average area in the pilot region is 2.27 ha.
BLC3 has been combating this dramatic situation, encouraging government entities to take action on the matter. A solution presented by BLC3 refers to the creation of a real estate fund that will allow land restructuring of the region and tax payment on abandoned lands, to boost agricultural activity. This reorganization is essential to enable access to land for young people who wish to develop their future in this field. Adding to this difficulty, 20% of the territory belongs to unknown owners.
Young Farmers Club is a key structure in the region, promoting region development and the settlement of young people by creating self-employment opportunities.
Portugal has the potential to become a major apple exporter, despite still importing this resource. The focus at this point is on native species, such as apples and the S. Bartolomeu pear, selected for the favourable local geographical and climatic conditions, making the club stand out nationally and internationally.
Clube 3i - Research | Innovation | Interdisciplinarity - is a structure born within BLC3 to create a link with young people from the Inner Region.
Prioritising links to the university environment, scientific and technological research and innovation and creativity, Clube 3i aims to attract talent from the Inner Region by establishing a culture of entrepreneurship. The 3i Club is restricted to teachers, researchers, company executives linked to innovation, technological development and creativity and interdisciplinary professionals from the interior region, aged between 22 and 35.
The club will work closely with the Entrepreneurship Club and Investors Club supported by the R&TD Centre, the Incubation Centre and the Support Centre for Innovative Projects and Ideas, which already possess human resources, facilities, equipment and a number of key infrastructures for the success of business projects.
The 3i Club boasts a network of 46 members from 14 different areas, supporting/endorsing the development of three ongoing entrepreneurial projects.
The Entrepreneurship Club is an innovation and excellence keystone, where a network of young entrepreneurs with the ability to make a difference in the global market is being established. This club works in cooperation with the 3i Club and Investors Club, with the support of the BLC3 Incubation Centre.
Its mission is to gather entrepreneurs to promote interaction, increase team spirit and co-operation between projects and companies.