There is a general lack of awareness of the importance of mineral raw materials in today’s society and an (overall) negative view on the concept of mining, strongly related to the use of non-modern, less environmentally-friendly and even outdated methods and technologies. This is particularly relevant for SMEs, which lack the tractor effect of big industries and therefore suffer from innovation deficit, cross-sector fertilisation and disruptive potential. In order to adapt to current trends and technologies, promote industrial modernisation and digitalisation of the sector, and embrace, interact and profit from other emerging industries, the mining & raw materials sectors must undergo a cross-sectoral and cross-fertilisation exercise, with a particular emphasis on SMEs, in order to develop novel industrial value chains that can support the integration of novel materials, techniques and processes. In this respect, industrial clusters and associated entities are therefore the ideal vehicle to promote and accelerate investments in order to develop innovation capacity and product development in SMEs. The overall aim of MINE.THE.GAP is to provide a support platform for the reinforcement of existing value chains and the development of new industrial value chains in the raw materials and mining "target" sectors by means of cross-sectoral and cross-regional innovation and support services in cluster-related SMEs through synergies and interactions with providers and facilitators from the existing and emerging fields of ICT, circular economy, resource efficiency and advanced manufacturing ("provider" sectors"). A well-balanced consortium comprising of 9 Clusters, 1 RTO and 1 Association from 9 regions and 7 European countries representing over 500 SMEs participate in the project to develop a three layered management structure, methodology and strategy including direct financial support to SMEs, additional business support services and access to new investments.