EVENTS: Workshops and focus groups drive innovation in Blue Economy

Representatives of the partner consortium of INNOVABLUE project attended workshops this week as part of the MareSkill and DIH InnovaMare projects, funded by the Italy-Croatia program. The Mentoring session and Brainstorming session on the application of new technologies in the nautical tourism sector were organized at the University of Zadar on February 18, 2025.

On February 19, 2025, the Zadar County Chamber of Economy hosted the second workshop and focus group as part of the BLUE ECOSYSTEM project, co-funded by the European Union’s Interreg EURO-MED program. The primary goal of the project is to promote innovation and sustainability within the Blue Economy of the Mediterranean region, with a particular emphasis on fostering collaboration among various stakeholders. The Zadar County Chamber (HGK) is implementing this project in partnership with nine institutions from Italy, France, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Albania, and Cyprus, while the University of Zadar is an associated partner.

During these events, the INNOVABLUE project and its objectives was presented.

The workshop is organized in collaboration with the Digital Innovation Hub (DIH) Innovamare, whose main objective is to establish itself as a leader at the cross-border and EU level in enhancing research capacities and technology transfer for the development of innovative maritime technologies. These advancements aim to drive digital and green transformation for a sustainable Blue Economy and the Adriatic Sea.

The primary goal of the workshop and focus group is to develop project concepts addressing challenges in three key sectors of the Blue Economy – tourism, infrastructure and transport, and aquaculture and fisheries.

Collaboration among these participants is crucial for the sustainable development of the Blue Economy, as it enables the integration of diverse perspectives, expertise, and resources in tackling complex challenges. This approach brings tangible benefits to all stakeholders, strengthens the resilience of the Blue Economy, and ensures the sustainable development of the Adriatic Sea.