Memorandum οf Understanding

for participation in the MicroUp Hub

The undersigned stakeholder (hereinafter referred to as “Party”), a participant in the TwInn4MicroUp project, funded under the EU framework, agrees to collaborate in establishing the MicroUp Hub. The Hub aims to advance research and innovation in sustainable plastic waste upcycling, create microbial cell factories for bioactive compounds, and promote scientific excellence, entrepreneurship, and global collaboration.

This MoU sets out the Party’s intention to cooperate within the MicroUp Hub, facilitating knowledge exchange, joint activities, and collaborative innovation.

The Party agrees to support the Hub’s mission by:

• Promoting collaborative research and innovation in plastic upcycling and microbial biotechnology.
• Sharing expertise, resources, and facilities to enhance scientific and technological capabilities.
• Supporting education, training, and knowledge exchange among Hub participants.
• Encouraging entrepreneurship, innovation, and industrial partnerships.
• Contributing to public awareness, environmental protection, and sustainable economic development.

This MoU enters into force on the date of signature by the Party and shall remain in effect indefinitely, unless a decision is made to suspend or terminate the Hub’s operation.

Any Party may withdraw from the Hub at any time by providing written notice to the member currently holding the Hub’s coordinating role.

The Hub as a whole may be dissolved only by a decision of at least three‑quarters (3/4) of the Steering Committee, i.e., the founding members listed in Annex I; such a decision shall also terminate this MoU.

This MoU may be amended by written agreement of the Steering Committee, with the updated version communicated to all Parties and annexed to the original MoU.

An individual or organization becomes a member of the Hub by signing this MoU and submitting it to the member currently holding the Hub’s coordinating role.

The Steering Committee, which acts as the Hub’s governing body, consists of the founding members listed in Annex I of this MoU. The Steering Committee oversees governance, strategic planning, and decision‑making for the Hub.

The Steering Committee shall:

• Coordinate Hub activities and strategic planning.
• Monitor progress and ensure effective management.
• Facilitate decision‑making and resolve issues related to Hub operations.

Presidency of the Hub.
Coordination of the Hub shall rotate among the Steering Committee members, with each member serving as the Hub President for one year. Members will agree on the next Presidency in advance of the term’s end.

Contact points.
Each Party shall designate a primary contact person for Hub‑related communications (name, position, email) and shall notify the Hub of any changes.

Any knowledge, data, or intellectual property shared within the Hub remains the sole property of the Party providing it, unless otherwise agreed in a separate written agreement.

No Party shall use, reproduce, or disclose such information without the prior written consent of the originating Party, except where required by law.

Parties shall maintain the confidentiality of any sensitive, proprietary, or commercially valuable information disclosed within the Hub, and shall use it solely for the purposes of the collaboration.

Where personal data are processed in the context of Hub activities, the Parties commit to comply with applicable data protection legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) and relevant national laws, as applicable.

Specific arrangements for data sharing, joint controllership or processing (including technical and organizational measures) may be defined in separate data‑sharing or data‑processing agreements where required.

This MoU does not create joint or several liability between the Parties. Each Party shall be solely responsible for its own acts and omissions and those of its employees or agents participating in Hub activities.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, no Party shall be liable to another Party for any indirect or consequential loss arising out of or in connection with activities under this MoU, except in cases of wilful misconduct or gross negligence, subject to applicable law.

Any disputes regarding the interpretation or application of this MoU shall be addressed amicably within the governance structure of the Hub, i.e., by the Steering Committee.

The Hub shall adhere to principles of research integrity, gender equality, non‑discrimination, and fair treatment, in line with EU and relevant national legislation.

As this MoU is non‑binding, the choice of applicable law is declaratory only; for clarification purposes, the Parties acknowledge that the MoU is to be interpreted in light of applicable EU and national laws relevant to their participation in the TwInn4MicroUp project.

Signing this MoU does not create legal obligations or financial commitments between the Parties. It signifies that the Party acknowledges the contents of this MoU and will make every reasonable effort to achieve the objectives described herein, subject to available resources.

This MoU does not replace or modify any grant agreement, consortium agreement, or other binding contract that may apply between the Parties; in case of conflict, such binding agreements shall prevail.

All official Hub communications, governance matters, and notices shall be directed to the designated coordination email address: twinn4microup@gmail.com.

This MoU may be signed sequentially by each Party. Copies (including electronic copies) of signature pages may be exchanged and together form one instrument.