05.2026
GREENVILLAGE.MED achieves Top Score: Starkmacher Impact Successfully Supports Flagship Green EU Project in the Mediterranean
With 92 out of 100 possible points, the GREENVILLAGE.MED project achieved the highest score in its funding category and is among the 49 selected projects under the Interreg NEXT MED Programme. The consortium, supported by Starkmacher Impact as a strategic partner, receives approximately 2.07 million euros in EU funding within a total budget of 2.32 million euros, and now enters a three-year implementation phase in Jordan, Lebanon, and Italy.
Top Score in the "Green Transformation Projects" Category
Under the Programme's Specific Objective "Sustainable growth and competitiveness of SMEs and job creation in SMEs (Green Transformation Projects)", GREENVILLAGE.MED stood out with a Final Score of 92 points — making it the highest-rated project among the seven funded initiatives in this category.
Three Climate-Smart Green Hubs for the Mediterranean
Led by Caritas Jordan, the consortium is establishing three innovative Green Hubs — physical learning, demonstration, and innovation centres showcasing how sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and the circular economy can practically work together in vulnerable regions:
- Karak (Jordan) — a hydroponic farm with solar-powered irrigation and atmospheric water harvesting. The focus is on sustainable food production, water efficiency, and job creation for young people.
- Antelias (Lebanon) — an urban Green Village Hub centred on green education, circular economy, urban gardening, and community building.
- Ras Al Maten (Lebanon) — a YMCA Hub in the Lebanese mountains, dedicated to youth development, health, sustainable infrastructure, and outdoor education.
Together with consortium partners Nature by Marc Beyrouthy (Lebanon), Cooperativa FormAP (Italy), and YMCA Lebanon, the project is creating a replicable model for the entire Mediterranean region.
Goals and Measurable Impact
The project aims to deliver concrete, verifiable results: more than 1,000 people — particularly women and young people — will be trained in green skills. 300+ green jobs are expected to be created. Hydroponic systems will save up to 90% of water, and approximately 57 tonnes of CO₂ will be avoided annually. In addition, 20+ public-private partnerships will be established, and around €940,000 will be invested directly into green infrastructure on the ground.
The Role of Starkmacher Impact
Starkmacher Impact supported the consortium during the critical conceptualisation and application phase as a strategic advisory and coaching partner — from project architecture and consortium-building to the final submission. As Germany is not among the eligible countries of the Programme, Starkmacher Impact does not act as a formal project partner. However, our expertise flows directly into the project's green education curriculum through the previous joint Erasmus+ project SDG-CONFYI with FormAP.
"We are proud to have supported such an outstanding consortium on its way to this top score," says Mathias Kaps, Founder and CEO of Starkmacher Impact. "The fact that GREENVILLAGE.MED achieved the highest score in its category with 92 points impressively demonstrates the quality and relevance of this approach — and how ecological innovation, education, and entrepreneurship can come together to enable real change in fragile regions. This is exactly what impact means to us."
Main article (Interreg NEXT MED press release)
here.
