“Technology is the key to preserving and protecting the Adriatic Sea. Innovations do not arise in isolation, but rather by cooperating and connecting. And in order to achieve concrete steps in this direction, significant resources are needed,” said Tomislav Radoš, Vice President of the Croatian Chamber of Economy (HGK) for Industry and Sustainable Development, at the closing conference of the Interreg InnovaMare strategic project, in which HGK is the lead partner. “Our goal,” he continued, “is to transform data, knowledge and resources into technology that will enable us to develop the blue economy sector. For this purpose, the connection between science and business is crucial,” said HGK Vice President Tomislav Radoš in Šibenik.

Monitoring the Adriatic

The InnovaMare project was promoted within the framework of the 2014-2020 Interreg Italy-Croatia Cross-border Cooperation Programme with the aim of developing and establishing an innovation ecosystem model in the field of underwater robotics and sensors for monitoring and controlling pollution in the Adriatic. The value of the project amounts to 5,6 million euros and its consortium includes 14 Croatian and Italian partners. One of the main challenges of the InnovaMare project was to encourage the development of new tools, processes and technologies through a multidisciplinary approach, cooperation between the public and private sectors, and to contribute to increasing competitiveness in the area of ​​the blue economy. Thanks to the collaboration of the project partners, several robot-sensor solutions have already been developed: two Korkyra robots (for monitoring fish farms) and SWAMP (for monitoring environmental parameters in wetlands) and a system of intelligent buoys that will monitor sea quality.

A sea that unites

The conference was held on May 12 at the Šibenik Polytechnic (VUS) in the presence of numerous authorities, starting with the Minister of Regional Development and European Funds, Šime Erlić. “Croatia and Italy have a direct connection and naturally support each other thanks to the Adriatic, which, when it comes to the blue economy, offers great potential,” the minister noted. “In this context,” he continued, “European funds are an additional lever. They offer excellent opportunities for project financing and InnovaMare, a valuable collaboration between Croatian and Italian partners, co-financed by the European Union with 4,7 million euros, is proof of this. Projects of this type contribute to the blue growth of the entire European economic area. It is gratifying that Croatia and Italy are working together to achieve great things, especially when it comes to preserving the ecosystem of our Adriatic,” Erlić noted.

Tangible results

The InnovaMare project manager, Mateo Ivanac (HGK), presented the main results of the project starting from the Digital Innovation Hub (DIH InnovaMare) in Šibenik and the Living Lab. The first is a center that can provide adequate infrastructure, equipment and human resources for the development of new technologies for the protection of the Adriatic and the second is a laboratory for testing innovative technologies in natural aquatic environments and considering the presence of lakes, rivers and the sea it is clear why Šibenik was chosen as the location of the DIH-InnovaMare. The founders of DIH InnovaMare are HGK, the Šibenik-Knin County, the Ruđer Bošković Institute (IRB) and the University of Zadar. The management of the same was entrusted to Mateo Ivanac (HGK).
“The Innovamare project is an exceptional initiative and we are honored to be part of it. As one of the founders of the DIH InnovaMare, we are looking forward to the next phase of implementation that will be realized through this organization. The project is a promise of a better future, which will have a significant impact on the transformation of our economy and society. It will help us create new opportunities in the sphere of Blue economy, based on innovation and cooperation,” said the Vice President of the Šibenik-Knin County.
VUS Deputy Dean Frane Urem stressed that the InnovaMare project is a key initiative that brings together the academic community and businesses to develop innovative technological solutions for pollution control in the Adriatic. “Through this project,” Urem noted, “we are working together to establish an innovation ecosystem model that encourages cooperation and knowledge exchange between businesses, research institutes and educational institutions.” “Our goal,” he continued, “is to preserve the biodiversity and sustainability of the Adriatic Sea and create better conditions for the development of the blue economy.” “InnovaMare is an opportunity to jointly drive positive change and achieve long-term benefits for our community and the environment,” Urem said.

Blue economy

Hrvoje Grancarić from the Joint Secretariat of the Interreg Italy-Croatia Programme also addressed those present. “The 2021-2027 Italy-Croatia Cross-Border Cooperation Programme has taken a clear position on the blue economy as a vital resource for Italy and Croatia, taking into account the challenges of overfishing, pollution and climate change. Our programme defines the blue economy as a set of activities aimed at the sustainable use of the resources of the Adriatic Sea in order to stimulate economic growth, improve people's living conditions, increase job opportunities and maintain healthy marine ecosystems”, said Grancarić.

The Academy

In preparation for the final conference of the project, from 8 to 12 May, the InnovaMare Academy was held in Šibenik. It was an event during which students from all over Croatia had the opportunity to increase their knowledge about digital and green transformation and the use of technology to protect marine resources and the economy. The academy was interdisciplinary and focused on areas of study related to marine biology, oceanography, environmental protection, economy and sustainable development.
On May 10th, it is recalled, the Italian Embassy in Zagreb and the Croatian Chamber of Economy (HGK) organized the meeting within the framework of the strategic project InnovaMare “The Adriatic Sea as a new laboratory for the blue economy – The role of the Blue economy in the Adriatic Sea in promoting sustainable development between Italy and Croatia”. The numerous participants, including the representative of the World Bank in Croatia and Slovenia, Jehan Arulpragasam, who gathered at the HGK headquarters were welcomed on that occasion by the Italian Ambassador to Croatia, Pierfrancesco Sacco, and the Vice President of the HGK, Tomislav Radoš. Minister Erlić also addressed those present on that occasion.

Source: The Voice of the People – 13/05/2023