Adeje Council, as part of the SMART-ECO project, hosted the closing session of this international initiative. The event brought together, for the last time, people and partner bodies to exchange learning and best practices. The meeting took place at the Costa Adeje Tourism Development Centre (CDTCA). This initiative is funded by the European Union’s Interreg MAC Programme 2014-2020.
In the concluding seminar each region presented the results of the project, actions that have been carried out in their respective areas, and future expectations. Complementary coordination meetings were held, as well as visits to the main business support infrastructures in Tenerife, including the CDTCA, the CTCan in Candelaria, and the Santa Cruz Development Society facilities.
SMART-ECO emerged as a tool to promote technological innovation, e-commerce and as a way to lead companies to a more international profile. It was a unique opportunity for Adeje Council to offer professionals and companies in the municipality free expert advice in two areas: the option of opening up their activity to foreign markets through e-commerce, and/or innovating through the technological transformation of their business.
For the councillors Manuel Luis Méndez Martín (presidency) and Alberto Álvarez Jiménez (economic development), "SMART-ECO has been an important initiative whose purpose was to create a smart cities platform to improve the digital competitiveness of companies and micro-enterprises, the self-employed and entrepreneurs". The project has been structured around working blocks: creating an inter-linked framework for the generation of a local digital ecosystem, boosting technological innovation in the local productive fabric, and promoting digital natives and SmartUps.
Strategy for the development of a digital economy in Adeje
The SMART-ECO Strategy was based on building a smart economy founded on knowledge, digitalisation and innovation. This approach seeks to boost economic development and to ensure that the benefits of the technological revolution are distributed equitably, thus favouring society as a whole.
The Adeje strategy is based on six strategic axes: the ICTC sector in Adeje, digital transformation of companies, citizen participation, business information, entrepreneurship, and related training.
A number of events have already been taking place in Adeje under this programme, such as the first technology trade fair for companies, the preparation for the use of ICTs, recommendations for improvement to companies/professionals, software and licences for business management etc.
A plan was also drawn up to boost the e-commerce space and online marketing channels of the small and medium enterprises participating in the project, as well as application of technological solutions, and the acquisition of productivity tools in the cloud.
Another important point that was developed under the SMART-ECO umbrella here was the development of e-commerce through web positioning and digital marketing of member companies.
Working to serve the municipality, a new physical unit called ‘OPEN SPACE’ has been created to support the digital economy in the south of the island, located in the CDTCA. An analytical and strategic local study was also carried out to detect and attract digital talent: methodology, basic study, and actions developed through local employment and development agencies.
