SCALE-UP Project Partner CTA Engages Over 80 Students in Innovative Olive Bioeconomy Competition

The Technological Corporation of Andalusia (CTA), a partner in the European SCALE-UP project, organised the "Express Ideas Competition: Let’s Undertake in the Olive Grove!" in Churriana de la Vega, Granada. This event brought together more than 80 students from the agricultural vocational training branch of IES Federico García Lorca to develop innovative business ideas using olive residues.

The competition, supported by Andalucía Emprende and the Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research and Training of Andalusia (IFAPA), served as an inspiring platform to educate young people on circular economy principles while fostering entrepreneurial skills.

A Focus on the Olive Bioeconomy

Andalusia, home to over 1.65 million hectares of olive groves, generates significant olive by-products such as leaves and pits. These by-products hold vast potential for industrial applications. The SCALE-UP project aims to highlight the value of these residues through initiatives like this competition, linking bioeconomy principles to local resources and opportunities.

Students from Gardening and Floristry, as well as Forestry and Natural Environment Management courses, engaged in group dynamics to develop innovative products or services utilising olive waste. The competition concluded with a pitch session, where 13 teams presented their ideas to a jury of experts in agriculture and entrepreneurship. The winning team, Hojiblanca, impressed the panel with their creation of a bioplastic made from olive grove residues, demonstrating the potential of circular economy solutions in the bioeconomy.

Collaboration and Community Support

The event was backed by key institutions, including Andalucía Emprende, the IFAPA Camino de Purchil centre, and the Regulatory Council of the Designation of Origin Poniente de Granada. The Mayor of Churriana de la Vega, Antonio Narváez, and Councillor for Education and Sports, María Roda Marcos, actively participated, praising the initiative's role in connecting youth with bioeconomy and innovation. Narváez highlighted the participatory and innovative nature of the competition, stating, “This event brings our young people closer to the bioeconomy and technology, preparing them for future employment opportunities while fostering creative thinking.”

About SCALE-UP

SCALE-UP is a Horizon Europe-funded project that promotes scaling up innovative biomass-based solutions across six European regions. In Andalusia, olive residues serve as a focus for inspiring bioeconomy applications, with initiatives like this competition showcasing the project’s commitment to community engagement and innovation.

Through events such as this, the SCALE-UP project not only empowers students but also drives the local bioeconomy forward, creating sustainable solutions and fostering future entrepreneurs.