EVENTS: Innovablue event – Innovation communities in Šibenik, June 17th 2025

INNOVABLUE Event in Šibenik gathers stakeholders across ADRION Region to advance sustainable innovation communities

Šibenik, Croatia – June 17, 2025
Over 50 stakeholders from Croatia, Italy, Slovenia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Greece gathered at the INNOVABLUE event “Sustainable Innovation Communities” held at Šibenik University of Applied Science to collectively advance the development of resilient innovation ecosystems for the blue economy in the Adriatic-Ionian region.

Hosted within the framework of the INNOVABLUE project, the event featured roundtables, stakeholder workshops, project showcases, and the official launch of the Technical Secretariat within the Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) Innovamare.

Key topics and highlights

Sustainable Innovation in the Blue Economy
Participants explored how to scale innovative technologies, integrate cross-sectoral collaboration, and overcome barriers to ecosystem development—including limited funding continuity, weak regulatory adaptation, and siloed institutional structures.

Roundtable on Building Innovation Communities
Moderated by Mateo Ivanac (DIH Innovamare), this panel featured insights from key representatives across sectors:

  • Mr. Mate Kovač, HAMAG-BICRO (Croatia)

  • Mr. Damir Opsenica, Lika Digitalna Agencija (Slovenia)

  • Ms. Ivana Kostić, Saige (Serbia)

  • Mr. Goran Kitić, BioSense Institute (Serbia)

Speakers emphasized the importance of community ownership, strategic vision, and mission-driven collaboration as essential ingredients for thriving innovation ecosystems.

Regulatory sandbox discussion and final working meeting
Domagoj Šarić from the Croatian Chamber of Economy and Chiara Marinelli from University of Trieste presented the draft Action Plan for regulatory sandboxes, which aim to create agile legal frameworks for testing innovative blue technologies in real-world conditions.

 Moderated by prof. Marko Valčić from University of Zadar, participants included in the discussion were representatives from:

  • Ms. Norma Fressel, Nature Park Vransko jezero, Croatia
  • Ms. Maja Škurić, Faculty of Maritime Studies, Montenegro
  • Mr. Nasos Argyriou, Foundation for Research and technology (FORTH), Greece

Stakeholders discussed cooperation with ministries, reducing administrative barriers, and regional alignment on regulation.

Project showcase
Several innovative blue economy initiatives were presented:

  • MareSkill – presented by Frane Urem, Šibenik University of Applied Sciences

  • DIH InnovaMare – Ana Gundić, University of Zadar

Technical Secretariat established
The event marked the official launch of the Technical Secretariat (TS) within DIH Innovamare. The TS will coordinate and support INNOVABLUE partners beyond the project lifespan, facilitate onboarding of new stakeholders, monitor progress, and sustain collaboration on regulatory and innovation-related efforts.

Key takeaways

  • A shift from project-driven to mission-driven innovation is needed—emphasizing long-term impact, investment, and measurable results.

  • Living Labs and Regulatory Sandboxes will be central to testing blue tech solutions in controlled environments.

  • Cross-border collaboration is critical: shared marine challenges and opportunities require aligned strategies, joint investments, and legal harmonization across the ADRION region.

  • Sustainability must be built into innovation models, including business-oriented services, membership platforms, and public-private partnerships.

Participants reiterated the need to focus on 1–2 globally competitive areas in the blue economy—such as marine robotics, smart vessels, and environmental monitoring. A mindset shift is required: local governments must develop clearer visions, and industries must be empowered through streamlined regulations and dedicated infrastructures.

The panel concluded with a powerful message: Innovation without sustained, collective leadership and aligned action risks remaining fragmented. The INNOVABLUE project, through its growing network and tools like the Technical Secretariat, aims to ensure these innovation communities thrive well beyond the project’s duration.

All the presentations from the event are available here: Innovablue Sibenik June 2025 presentations