GSSC consortium participated on the exploratory mission in Praia, Cape Verde. The mission was organised by the Czech-Cape Verdean Chamber of Commerce, represented by Ms. Monica Sofia Silva Duarte Komárková. The consortium started the mission in Praia, the chosen target city within our project, and explored the potential of this city to become green small smart city.

The first day, the consortium met with the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Gilberto Silva. It was discussed ways of collaboration in the field of agriculture, energy sector and others. The partnership also had the opportunity to understand the Cape Verdean culture due to the guided tour by the Ministry of Culture.
The second day of the Mission to Cape Verde was full of meetings with relevant stakeholders, policymakers, technologies centres and companies. First, GSSC consortium was welcomed by Mr. José Almada, President of Cape Verde TradeInvest, who presented the environment of doing business in Cabe Verde, highlighting the opportunities and challenges of the country. Afterwards, the public projects in the areas of energy, water and sanitisation and the use of new technologies were presented by the General Director of the National Directorate of Industry Commerce and Energy, the Major of Santa Cruz, and the board of TECHPARK of Cape Verde. Finally, the consortium had to the opportunity to hold B2C meetings with companies operating in Praia.

The mission was proving a success, even attracting the attention of the press: https://lnkd.in/gxsGR7VC

During the third day of the mission in Cape Verde, the consortium visited the Ministry of Culture, where they met with the General Director of Arts and Creative Industries Mr. Adilson Gomes. The same day, they met with representatives of National Water and Sanitation Agency (ANAS), Center for renewable energy and industrial maintenance (CERMI) and The Strategic plan for sustainable development (PEDS 2030), from the Ministry of Finances. During all meetings Ms. Yeimy Ospina, project coordinator, presented GSSC project, mission and goals. Afterwards, each GSSC partner presented their own cluster and members. The meetings had the main objective of exchanging basic and relevant information and knowledges of Cape Verdean market and presentation of possibilities of future collaboration.
In the fourth day, the consortium had the opportunity to meet with the representatives of local municipalities. Thus, Mr. Carlos Alberto Silva, President of Santa Cruz welcomed us in Santa Cruz where we discussed about possibilities of future collaboration. Last, the consortium also visited the NGO "Hope of Cabo Verde" in order to understand the main problems and challenges of local people. In this sense, this NGO is devoted to help local people, especially children, to improve their lifes and create for them a sustainable future.
During the last day of the official agenda, the consortium met to sum up the results of the exploratory mission and to start with the preparation of the “Report from exploratory mission”. It was examined the next steps within the project and the next exploratory missions to the other target markets: Chile and Vietnam.
Finally, representatives of GSSC consortium continued the mission in Boa Vista Island. Nanoprogress and MCICT represented GSSC consortium and hold several meetings with the local municipality, the President of Boa Vista and representatives of water, solar and real estate companies in order to explore further opportunities in the country.

Ultimately, GSSC first exploratory mission to Cape Verde has been a success. We hope that we can build strong relationships with relevant stakeholders in the country and find good opportunities for European SMEs willing to make business in Cape Verde. This exploratory mission constitutes the first step to prepare the Green Small Smart City project for second strand. GSSC consortium will definitely participate in the next call for proposal to gain support for the second strand activities.
GSSC project was funded by the European Union’s COSME Programme. The content of this article represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility; it cannot be considered to reflect the views of the European Commission and/or the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME) or any other body of the European Union. The European Commission and the Agency do not accept any responsibility for use that may be made of the information it contains.