Pillar 1: Blue Growth

The main objective of this topic is to maximise progress in research, technological development and innovation to help solve societal challenges by creating synergies between smart specialisation approaches and strengthening the quadruple helix ties between research units, business support organisations, SME and sector-specific business associations and clusters in the field of green and blue technologies in the region. This will be achieved through:

• enhancing stable and formal collaborations between Adriatic-Ionian Region innovation ecosystems regarding green and blue (bio) technologies, leading to an increased number of patents in the fields of blue and green growth;
• increased shares of economic activity and returns in sectors related to blue and green growth as well as increased use of blue and green novel technologies to safeguard and restore the aquatic environment and improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the maritime, fisheries and aquaculture sectors in global markets; and
• stronger networks among relevant players in the Adriatic-Ionian Region concerning research on green and blue technologies, leading to more intensive research and public- and private collaborations and networks in the field, and increased numbers of players from the Adriatic-Ionian Region involved in Horizon Europe projects.

The main objective of this topic is to support cooperation efforts aiming at networking policy practices, business practices, research findings and other important assets to strengthen the fisheries and aquaculture sectors (in maritime and inland environments) in the Adriatic-Ionian Region. This will be achieved through:

• developing a more sustainable, resilient and competitive fishery industry in the Adriatic-Ionian region, including a regional fisheries information system;
• developing a more sustainable, resilient and competitive aquaculture sector in the Adriatic-Ionian Region, including both marine, freshwater and land-based aquaculture, and growing volumes of Adriatic-Ionian aquaculture products on the market;
• better fisheries management measures, sustainable exploitation of fish stocks, improvement of data collection and fish stock assessment, harmonisation with EU regulations & international organisations;
• sustainable growth of a more efficient and circular aquaculture production, capitalising on innovation, digitalisation, and knowledge sharing;
• supporting and encouraging the adoption of sustainable sourcing standards for aquaculture and fisheries stocks through the use of standards such as the Marine Stewardship Council, Seafood Watch for Aquaculture and others.

The main objective of this topic is to support cooperation among players in the Adriatic-Ionian Region to make better use of the skills that are available and equip people with new skills (including soft skills) that are needed. This will be achieved through:

• improving the quality of public services and improving governance mechanisms for international cooperation and strengthening institutional capacities in a wide range of sectors (e.g. fishery policy, maritime spatial planning, integrated coastal management);
• improving the evidence base for policy and decision-making by sharing data and knowledge among public bodies and strengthening their capacities to seize opportunities or react to challenges which can be detected earlier if data and information is shared and analysed across countries;
• improving the state of the maritime and marine environments through an increased uptake of digital technological tools and skills in maritime and territorial spatial planning which help to improve governance and planning processes;
• developing supply chains and skills in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture by using large-scale partnerships for offshore renewable energy under the Pact for Skills.