GREENE 4.0 has concluded – the green transition continues

After three years of collaborative research, the Interreg project GREENE 4.0 has come to an end. The project’s goal was to advance the green and digital transformation of businesses in seven European regions. To this end, innovative approaches from SMEs and startups were identified, tested, and shared with partners and stakeholders. Higher education institutions, cluster organizations, and innovation stakeholders actively supported manufacturing SMEs on their path toward a sustainable and digitally enabled future.

Building on these results, the partners took stock at the final meeting on February 17 and 18, 2026, in Budapest and agreed on the next steps for the period following the project’s conclusion. The focus was on embedding the project results for the long term, further developing policy instruments, and strengthening the B2GreenHub, a European platform that provides practical support to companies in their green and digital transformation. The aim was to sustainably consolidate the so-called Twin Transition in all participating regions.

POLICY TOOLS AND REGIONAL STRATEGIES

As part of the second Transnational Design Thinking Camp, the partners continued to develop policy tools—such as funding programs and practical guides—designed to provide targeted support to SMEs in their transformation. The focus was on solutions with long-term impact that can be directly implemented in day-to-day business operations.

In addition, all seven partner regions presented their final Regional Action Plans. These action plans ensure the sustainable usage of the project results beyond the official project duration, strengthen regional innovation ecosystems, and embed support services within the regional structure.

Another item on the agenda was an exchange with Hungarian institutions. Representatives from the Ministry of National Economy and the Hungarian Association of Environmental Enterprises (KSZGYSZ) provided insights into national funding opportunities and innovation initiatives for SMEs.

B2GREENHUB AS A SUSTAINABLE PROJECT OUTCOME

Building on the policy instruments and regional action plans that have been developed, the European platform B2GreenHub was established as a key tool. It brings together knowledge, tools, and best practices to provide targeted support to manufacturing companies in their green and digital transformation.

In addition, synergies with other European initiatives are being leveraged, including the WE.Circular project and its Virtual Toolbox, which further expands the platform’s offerings. The latest research findings—such as those on material life cycles from the Szimbio Lab—are also continuously incorporated into the platform, enriching it with new insights.

LONG-TERM SUPPORT

“GREENE 4.0 has demonstrated how effective regional cooperation can be when all partners work toward a common goal. The B2GreenHub remains a concrete tool that offers companies long-term guidance and support,” says Selina-Maria Schiller, project manager for GREENE 4.0 at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol.

The project officially concluded on February 28, 2026. The University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol remains the point of contact for companies and institutions that wish to actively shape the digital and green transformation. The approaches developed during the project will be continued in research, teaching, and other initiatives.

Links:

• B2GreenHub | Website
• GREENE 4.0 | Research project