EU-UA SUNRISE: Empowering Safe and Sustainable Energy through clusters collaboration in EU and Ukraine

ongoing

The EU-UA SUNRISE project is designed to booster the resilience and sustainability of energy supplies in the EU and Ukraine by empowering decentralized renewable energy systems through holistic approach. This project is committed to enhancing cross-border collaborations between SMEs within EU and Ukrainian clusters, focusing on RES (hydrogen, solar, wind, biomass), energy efficiency and smart management. Through a strategic partnership encompassing 6 countries—Norway, Sweden, Slovenia, Portugal, Poland, and Ukraine— EU-UA SUNRISE aims to leverage diverse technological and industry expertise to foster innovation and economic growth. This initiative not only targets the improvement of energy independence and safety but also supports the integration of innovative technology - extended reality (XR (VR/AR)) for increasing digitalization of companies, network enhancement and promotion. The project foresees also the matchmaking between SMEs of partnering clusters and preparing the catalogue of collaborative solutions to expand clients base and cooperation. Furthermore, it will facilitate knowledge exchange and capacity building to ensure that SMEs are well-equipped to tackle future energy challenges. By emphasizing sustainable practices and enhancing cluster management, EU-UA SUNRISE will contribute significantly to the development of a robust transnational network as a foundational step towards forming a European MetaCluster, aimed at improving policy advocacy and enabling a cohesive approach to renewable energy across Europe. The expected outcomes include a more integrated European and Ukrainian renewable energy market, enhanced SME capacities, and the establishment of a sustainable model for ongoing collaboration and investments. The project's innovative approach and its alignment with the European Green Deal highlight its potential to significantly impact energy policy and practices across multiple countries, promoting long-term sustainability and energy security.