Full project title: Blue Growth Smart Adriatic Ionian S3 (BLUEAIR)
In the Adriatic-Ionian region, blue growth innovation policies are characterized by fragmentation, with more advanced and less developed regions seeking in their innovation strategies a common knowledge-based approach to improve the growth of the blue sector in their territories.
Regions and countries that share the same seas and rivers need coordinated blue growth policies to plan future innovation initiatives in areas such as maritime transport, water pollution, energy connectivity, protection of the marine environment, promotion of sustainable tourism, and others.
The aim of the BLUEAIR project (full title Blue Growth Smart Adriatic Ionian S3) is to strengthen the institutional capacities of ADRION territories (the Adriatic-Ionian area) in defining a common smart specialization policy (S3) in blue growth and to ensure alignment of local initiatives with the EUSAIR strategy (EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region – EUSAIR) through the development of a macro-regional smart specialization strategy (S3) for blue growth and the establishment of a dedicated innovation community. Through a coordinated approach, administrative capacities, innovation, and economic development will be improved for the territories involved, as well as for the entire ADRION area.
Improving the competencies of innovation actors in the field of blue growth, identifying sectors of macro-regional interest, leveraging the potential for transnational cooperation, and supporting the development of a unique macro-regional S3 for blue growth in the Adriatic-Ionian region are goals that will be achieved by involving actors according to the quadruple helix principle, who will participate in defining a common strategic vision through enabling tools, capacity-building initiatives, and effective EDP practices and instruments. With the support of scientific experts and technical documentation, BLUEAIR offers these actors a view of future scenarios in the blue growth sector, enabling them to exploit transnational sector opportunities.
The main goal of the BLUE AIR project is to strengthen the institutional capacities of ADRION countries and regions in defining a common approach to implementing S3 policies on blue growth at the macro-regional level.
Specific objectives of the project:
• Improve the competencies of quadruple helix actors in blue growth;
• Identify blue growth sectors of macro-regional interest and exploit the potential for transnational cooperation;
• Support the development of a macro-regional S3 for blue growth in the Adriatic-Ionian area.
Main project results:
• Establishment of the BLUEAIR innovation community;
• Increased knowledge of macro-regional innovation actors in the development of blue growth S3;
• Development of a comprehensive S3 toolkit;
• Development of the Innovation Strategy for macro-regional blue growth S3;
• Action plan for investments in innovation and improvement of blue growth.
Project partners:
• Area Science Park, IT
• Croatian Chamber of Economy
• Technology Park Ljubljana, SLO
• Municipality of Izola, SLO
• Research Center of the University of Piraeus, GR
• Region of Central Macedonia, GR
• State Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation, AL
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center Tehnopolis, ME
• Chamber of Economy of Montenegro
• University of Belgrade
• Chamber of Economy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Project duration: 01.12.2020 – 31.05.2023 (30 months)
Total project budget: 2,440,000 euros
EU co-financing amount: 2,074,000 euros
Priority axis of the program: Priority Axis 1 – Innovative and Smart Region.
The project is co-financed by ERDF and IPA II funds of the European Union.
This publication was produced with the assistance of the European Union. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of the Chamber of Economy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and can in no way be considered to reflect the views of the European Union.
Learn more about the project HERE.
Contact: Zvonimir Miletić
e-mail: z.miletic@kfbih.com
tel: +387 36 446 063
