The European Erasmus+ project presented its actions in sustainability, circular economy and innovation during an event held at the Rural University Hub of San Xoán de Río (Ourense, Spain)
Valencia, 9 June 2026. The European project C-SUSTAIN (Circular & Sustainable Training for Youth Entrepreneurs) took part yesterday in an event held at the Rural University Hub of San Xoán de Río (Ourense, Spain), a benchmark space for rural development, innovation and knowledge transfer. The session, focused on disruptive technologies and the digital transformation of SMEs, provided an opportunity to showcase the project’s potential to promote sustainability, the circular economy and innovation as drivers of territorial development.
During the event, participants discussed the role of European projects in developing new skills, fostering collaboration between public and private stakeholders, and accelerating the transition towards more sustainable economic models. In this context, the activities carried out by C-SUSTAIN to promote sustainable entrepreneurship and strengthen green and digital skills among European youth were presented.
Juan Manuel Revuelta, CEO of the Finnova Foundation and speaker at the event, highlighted the importance of connecting innovation with the real needs of territories: “Sustainability and the circular economy represent a great opportunity to boost territorial development, create new economic opportunities and strengthen the resilience of our communities. Projects such as C-SUSTAIN demonstrate how European cooperation and training can become key tools for preparing the next generation of entrepreneurs capable of leading the green and digital transition.”
The initiative places particular emphasis on the circular economy as a tool for addressing some of the key challenges faced by European territories, from efficient resource management to adapting to the economic and social changes brought about by the green transition. Through training, innovation and cooperation, the project seeks to contribute to building more resilient, competitive and future-ready communities.
C-SUSTAIN: Training, Innovation and Entrepreneurship for a More Sustainable Europe
Among the project’s main actions is a free online course aimed at young people, educators and professionals interested in sustainability and the circular economy. The training covers topics such as sustainable entrepreneurship, circular business models, eco-design, design thinking, innovative solution prototyping, and the development of projects with positive environmental and social impact.
In addition, C-SUSTAIN organises international makeathons, collaborative spaces where young people from different countries work together to solve real challenges related to sustainability and the circular economy. These activities enable participants to transform ideas into concrete proposals through innovative methodologies, expert mentoring and hands-on learning experiences.
The project also includes a Train of Trainers programme, designed to equip educators, youth workers and mentors with the skills needed to replicate the knowledge acquired and expand the initiative’s impact across different European territories.
A European Project to Train the Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow
C-SUSTAIN (Circular & Sustainable Training for Youth Entrepreneurs) is a project co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union, with a duration of 24 months and a total budget of €250,000. Its objective is to train young people—particularly those from multicultural backgrounds—in skills related to sustainable entrepreneurship and the circular economy, contributing to the green and digital transition promoted by the European Union.
The project is implemented by an international consortium composed of six European organisations: BildungsLAB – Hands&Minds Learning Centre (Austria), CRADLE SINGLE (Greece), Fundacja Instytut Europejski (Poland), EUth – Förderung der Individualität von Jugend in Europa (Germany), Roscommon Integrated Development Company (Ireland) and the Finnova Foundation (Spain). Through this transnational cooperation, C-SUSTAIN promotes the exchange of knowledge, good practices and innovative methodologies to strengthen education and sustainable entrepreneurship across Europe.
Next Stop in Valencia: Tourism, Innovation and European Funding
As part of its dissemination and knowledge-transfer activities, C-SUSTAIN will hold a hybrid multiplier event — both onsite and online — in Valencia on 22 June, aimed at presenting the main results achieved by the project, the actions implemented during its 24-month duration, and the training opportunities in sustainable entrepreneurship and circular economy developed by the consortium.
The event will include the roundtable discussion “Tourism in Transformation: Innovation, Sustainability and European Funding in the New Scenario of the Sector”, organised by the Finnova Foundation and Banco Sabadell Hub Empresa. During the event, participants will share experiences, best practices and European funding opportunities linked to the green and digital transition of territories and strategic sectors such as tourism.
The event is aimed at young people, entrepreneurs, companies, public administrations, universities, social organisations and professionals interested in learning how the circular economy, innovation and European funding can contribute to the sustainable development of territories.
Participants will be able to attend either in person or online, facilitating wider dissemination of the project’s results and encouraging participation from attendees across different European countries.
Registration is open through the following link:
Through initiatives such as C-SUSTAIN, the Finnova Foundation reaffirms its commitment to innovation, sustainability and European cooperation as key tools for promoting the economic and social development of territories and building a greener, more competitive and more resilient Europe.