September 2019

Month: September 2019

Circulair Vlieland

Posted on by Dennis Sieperda

The Province of Fryslan supports an initiative from the island of Vlieland to redirect its linear economy towards a more circular one. The project has started with a metabolism study in which all in-, through- and outward material(including water and energy) fluxes have been mapped by Circular Economy specialist Metabolic.Based upon the outcomes, first options on narrowing, slowing and closing the island’s material loops –better than today- have been formulated. For instance, value can be generated by utilizing nutrients from wastewater flows, instead of discharging them into the sea, composting of organic wastes can be improved, and an online but local marketplace can be created to buy, sell, and share re-usable goods. In the next phase of the project the various options will be further explored for implementation. In addition, creative sessions with tourists and other stakeholders will be organized, both for extra idea generation as well as to stimulate their practical contribution to the implementation plan.

Source: Metabolic (metabolic.nl)

Example of strategy 2C: 

Stimulate and Support Product Development 

As a local/regional government you can support the development of new products, services, and processes by your local industries. This may include more efficient production processes, with more efficient use of local resources. It can also concern new concepts like circular design (slowing, narrowing and looping the material fluxes on the island), the combined design of products and services (PSS), ecologically responsible landscape and town development, nature services, and new business development. 

As partner in these development processes, a basic understanding of design methodology and tools is recommended. Good starting points are industrial design programs like those  from the Aalto Design Factory  (2018) and the Delft University of Technology, with its’ Delft Design Guide (2010). With respect to the creation of novel product-service combinations, Bocken et al (2013) propose a straightforward method based on a value mapping tool. 

For island urban development methodologies such as that from RMIT on sustainable scenario development and eco-acupuncture (Gaziulusoy & Ryan, 2017), or from AMS Amsterdam -Institute of Advanced Metropolitan Studies- are also sources of inspiration (AMS,  2018). Most recently, Fabrizio Ceschin of the Brunel University London and Idil Gaziulusoy of Aalto University Finland published a comprehensive overview of  the design for sustainability field (Ceschin and Gaziulusoy, 2019). A PDF version of the book is available for free in Open Access from Routledge at www. taylorfrancis.co.  If local governments want to be a serious partner in a TIPPING development process, basic knowledge of such methods and tools is a must. 

WalkMe Madeira

Posted on by Dennis Sieperda

At Madeira, a team of software engineers at the University of Madeira loved to hike on the more than 50 adventurous trails in the splendid nature that the island offers. With the support of the regional government, they decided to apply their strengths to this favorite outdoor activity, to create the WalkMe app: a digital guide with all the information required for hikers on the island. The app offers a trail map and tour information, also without an internet connection, as well as points of interest, like waterfalls, lagoons and ‘levadas’. Since 2012, this WalkMe app is at the top of the list of applications of the Island of Madeira, downloaded by almost 100 thousand people, both tourists and residents, who explore the natural richness of the island. Being created by a team of local walkers, scientists and new ventures, the involved regional government and innovation agencies (including ARDITI, the Regional Authority for the Development of Research, Technology and Innovation of Madeira) are co-organizing facilities and means to maintain a leading position in this typical Madeira development area.

Source: walkmeguide.com

Example of strategy 2B:

Stimulate the Market for Local Products and Produce

Island municipalities and their larger regions can play a significant role,both directly and via indirect ways, in helping to stimulate the market for their locally produced goods and services. Directly: for instance, by becoming a -larger- user of the local producer’s services. Indirectly: by promoting those services or supporting the local organization with innovation subsidies and/or with the formation of a strong business- infrastructure, for example, with the options to trade and test local products during public events, e.g. festivals, fairs, etc.

FEMI on Guadeloupe

Posted on by Dennis Sieperda

FEMI, the only French-language film festival of this size in the GreaterCaribbean, has a mission to promote cinematographic works andfilmmakers from the West Indies-Guyana and more widely from theCaribbean, which are too seldom in the spotlight and thus often unknown to the general public. FEMI is also an opportunity to discoverthe best of international cinema through a diverse program of films encouraging reflection on social issues, but also to find emerging talentand highlight talented people.

It offers Guadeloupean audiences the opportunity to see more than 60local, regional, and international films every year; feature films, short films, documentaries often unpublished and preview. The programmingis eclectic, educational and very rich. The festival was initially createdby women (femmes in French). It promoted the first female initiativesthrough movies. It has strong support from the local authorities of Nord Basse- Terre, who consider it a unique source of -social- innovation, emerging from cultural island roots.

Source: Promotion of Caribbean culture through cinema and art, and lefemi.fr

Example of strategy 2B:

Stimulate the Market for Local Products and Produce

Island municipalities and their larger regions can play a significant role,both directly and via indirect ways, in helping to stimulate the market for their locally produced goods and services. Directly: for instance, by becoming a -larger- user of the local producer’s services. Indirectly: by promoting those services or supporting the local organization with innovation subsidies and/or with the formation of a strong business- infrastructure, for example, with the options to trade and test local products during public events, e.g. festivals, fairs, etc.

Local Mastiha products

Posted on by Dennis Sieperda

In the North Aegean Sea Islands region of Greece grows the mastiha tree. It is an evergreen shrub that develops very slowly and becomes fully mature after 40-50 years, reaching up to a height of ca. 5 meters. Its lifespan is more than 100 years. Mastiha trees are an essential part of the maqui-type of vegetation found in Mediterranean countries. Particularly on the island of Chios, the trees have been planted since antiquity, offering the precious mastiha ‘tears’. The teardrop shaped sap of the tree has been attributed unique nutritious and therapeutic properties, particularly in treating gastrointestinal conditions and disorders. The knowhow of cultivating mastiha has been included by UNESCO on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The government of the North Aegean region has been facilitating innovative applications of mastiha with perseverance over the years, engaging farmers, involving EU-funding, helping to set up the Chios Mastiha Farmers Association and consequently the Mediterra SA in 2002, as a marketing tool, the development of new high quality mastiha-based products worldwide, and establishing a Mastiha Research Center Today, under the brand name “Mastihashop” a portfolio of more than 100 products is commercially exploited, including natural mastiha, chewing gum, cosmetic products, para-pharmaceutical products, food products, liqueurs, etc. Mastihashop has been officially nominated as adesignated product of origin, has become world famous, and now includes a retail network of 16 “Mastihashops.” On the roadmap to the future, the regional government and the local authorities are now engaging the farmers and product developers towards a next investment -of ca. 6 million euros- into the further elaboration of the product portfolio, to demonstrate even more how a small isolated island can become a world pioneer by innovating and managing its bio- based, renewable resources.

Source: Various websites, and Government of the North Aegean Region, Greece

Example of strategy 2A:

Supporting Specific High Potentials

On each island or archipelago of islands high potentials emerge: Small companies with often radical new ideas with a promising impact if successful, like for environmental issues, social care, ecotourism development, new ways of education, etc.

It is important for the local government to take extra and long- term care of these often vulnerable companies, to help them grow-up.

Local government can not only help by becoming a trustful interim- partner for these talents, but also by writing joint project-proposalswhich could for instance be financed by regional and national agencies. Moreover, they can co-promote the first prototypes delivered by thehigh potential on potential markets and within the own organizations. In addition, they can draw attention from the politicians for these potentials, leading to extra promotional support.

Islands_of_Innovation_EU_FLAG

© Islands of Innovation, FREIIA and Digital Islands | All rights reserved

Made by Merkmonsters