Access to Technology and Know-how in Cleaner Production in Central Europe
While EU directives set requirements in order to ensure the eco-efficiency of the production process, many small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Central Europe struggle to respond to them. They do not have access to the existing technological or managerial solutions developed in other parts of Central Europe. _x000D_
In the understanding that a sustainable natural resource management in times of globalisation cannot be addressed by one country alone, ACT CLEAN has identified the following challenges: SMEs need to get access to environmentally friendly technologies and activities in order to comply with current and future EU directives. A lack of links between demand and supply of environmentally friendly technologies and know-how can be identified. Therefore existing technology and know-how must be demonstrated and deployed. The second challenge can be described as the identification and exchange of SME support tools for cleaner production (CP). _x000D_
ACT CLEAN is tackling these challenges from two sides: firstly It will enable SMEs to comply with existing or imminent requirements by focusing on few, selected EU directives that are needed by project stakeholders in Central Europe. Secondly it will push the application of existing environmentally friendly technologies and activities within Central Europe area by identifying the most relevant ones, demonstrating the economic and environmental value and support their deployment. 