INNOVAMARE PROJECT
InnovaMare strategic project – Blue technology – Developing innovative technologies for sustainability of Adriatic Sea, coordinated by the Croatian Chamber of Economy, is co-financed by the European Union, ERDF (European Regional Development Fund), through Interreg VA Italy-Croatia Programme (2014-2020). Its aim is to enhance framework conditions at cross-border level by reinforcing capacities, both at strategical and operational level, to develop an innovation ecosystem promoting breakthrough technologies for the environmental sustainability of the Adriatic Sea, with a focus on underwater robotics and sensors. Expected outputs will contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR), with particular reference to Pillar 1 “Blue Growth”, Topic 1 “Blue Technologies”.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BLUE ECONOMY FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AND COMPETITIVENESS
The Blue Economy includes all those activities that are marine-based or marine-related. Marine-based activities comprise Marine living resources (capture fisheries and aquaculture), Marine minerals, Marine renewable energy, Desalination, Maritime transport and Coastal tourism. Marine-related activities are linked for instance to Seafood processing, Biotechnology, Shipbuilding and repair, Port activities, technology and equipment, Digital services, etc. As stated in the EU Blue Economy Report 2020, the Blue Economy is embedded in the overall EU economy, and the contribution of this strategic sector to the EU-28 economy in 2018 was 1.5 % in terms of GVA and 2.2 % in terms of employment. Improving the ecological status of the Adriatic Sea is a key priority both in Italy and Croatia: it is an opportunity to improve the sustainability of the cross-border territory, as well as to increase the competitiveness of enterprises, creating a technological leadership in this field. Marine pollution concerns different types of pollutant input (chemical and toxic substances, plastics and nutrients, underwater noise and other inputs from energy).
The role of underwater robotics solutions and sensors has a paramount importance for monitoring and predicting sea pollution and surveilling ports and plants, as well as natural and cultural heritage but, to fully unlock the existing potential, an effective innovation ecosystem has to be put in place, involving key stakeholders with a quadruple helix approach.
INNOVAMARE FIRST ROUNDTABLE FOR POLICY MAKERS
In the framework of WP3 “Enhancement of framework conditions by development of innovation ecosystem” of InnovaMare project, the Regional Union of the Chambers of Commerce of Veneto Region (UCV) organizes this Roundtable addressed at Policy-makers, to foster dialogue and exchange best practices in the field of Blue Economy and innovative blue technologies, enhancing cross-sectoral cooperation to support the creation of favourable framework conditions for a cross-border innovation ecosystem enabling growth, competitiveness and technological leadership in the field of underwater robotics and sensors. The first working day (18/02) will be dedicated to plenary sessions for policy-makers, favouring debate on main strategic topics, identified also taking into consideration the recent Report of the EU Mission Board Healthy Oceans, Seas, Coastal and Inland Waters. During the second day (19/02), thematic cross-sectoral focus groups will be organized, stimulating sharing of best practices for solving identified challenges, involving representatives from public bodies, academia and private sector.
