INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR RESEARCH ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMY

Their core work

ICRE8 is a Greek research center focused on the intersection of environmental sustainability and economic development. They specialize in decision-support frameworks for complex resource management challenges — particularly water-energy-food nexus problems, disaster resilience, and land-sea integration. Their work bridges environmental modeling with participatory methods, helping communities and policymakers make evidence-based decisions about natural resource trade-offs and climate adaptation.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

ICRE8's early work (2016) concentrated on disaster resilience infrastructure, climate adaptation testing frameworks, and decision-analytic tools for resource trade-offs (BRIGAID, DAFNE). By 2018, their focus shifted toward participatory methods — co-creation, multi-actor labs, and system dynamics approaches for land-sea integration (COASTAL). This suggests a move from technical modeling toward community-engaged, systems-thinking approaches to environmental management.

ICRE8 is moving from pure analytical modeling toward participatory, place-based approaches that integrate multiple resource systems and community engagement — making them well-suited for mission-oriented EU programs emphasizing co-creation.

How they like to work

ICRE8 operates exclusively as a consortium participant, never as coordinator, which positions them as a reliable specialist partner rather than a project leader. With 102 unique partners across 28 countries from just 5 projects, they participate in large, diverse consortia — their average consortium size is roughly 20 partners. This broad network suggests they are valued for specific analytical or methodological contributions rather than driving project direction.

Remarkably wide network for a small organization: 102 unique partners across 28 countries from only 5 projects, indicating participation in large pan-European consortia. No obvious geographic concentration — their reach spans nearly all EU member states.

What sets them apart

ICRE8 sits at a distinctive crossroads: they combine environmental-economic modeling with participatory engagement methods, which is uncommon for a Greek research NGO. Their strength lies in connecting technical decision frameworks (water-food-energy nexus, disaster resilience) with community-level co-creation — a combination that's increasingly demanded in Horizon Europe missions. For consortium builders, they bring both analytical rigor and experience in translating complex environmental trade-offs into actionable local strategies.

Highlights from their portfolio

• COASTAL
  Largest funding (EUR 244,375) and most recent project, showcasing their evolved expertise in participatory land-sea integration through multi-actor labs and system dynamics.
• DAFNE
  Second-largest funding (EUR 241,375) and a technically demanding project applying decision-analytic frameworks to the water-energy-food nexus in complex transboundary settings.
• BRIGAID
  Focused on bridging innovation gaps in disaster resilience with concrete tools: testing frameworks, demonstration facilities, and business plans for climate adaptation technologies.