The Project

Objectives

Collaboration

Facilitate long-term cross border and inter-sectoral collaboration to advance eco innovative technologies for healthy and productive seas within Croatian and Cypriot innovation ecosystems

Research

Perform joint research work within focus sectors to close knowledge gaps, consolidate and reinforce quadruple helix linkages, and validate strategy and action and investment plans.

Learning

Implement a set of mutual learning and skills development measures within Croatian and Cypriot ecosystems, expert visits, innovation training, stakeholder collaboration, and citizen engagement activities.

Visibility

Raise the visibility of Croatian-Cypriot innovation ecosystems by implementing strategic measures that foster networking, knowledge transfer, and collaboration. Through workshops, conferences, and summer schools, we connect with industry, policy makers, end-users, and the scientific community.

Blue Economy Sectors

1. Aquaculture and fisheries

• Improved fisheries management.
• Utilization of Biotechnologies in Aquaculture.
• Farm-to-Fork strategy: New marine and -maritime technologies and strategies for food/feed production systems

2. Smart ports

• Optimization of traffic flows and cargo handling through smart digital solutions and autonomous systems
• Contribution to decarbonization
• Development of technologies and equipment for protection of sea

3. Maritime security and protection

• Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Use of sensors, ICT systems and robots for monitoring and protection
• Marine Spatial Planning (MSP): Development of tools such as data, algorithms and decision-support features for monitoring and protection of heritage sites

4. Research and Education

• Key enabling technologies (KETs) for robots and assistive technologies
• Promotion of Ecological Technologies to increase production efficiency while maintaining environmental compatibility

5. Maritime technologies

• Foster cross-border collaboration, leveraging Europe's R&D investment and education for innovative maritime technologies
• Croatia: Focus on high-potential areas for competitiveness and socio-economic development.
• Cyprus: Develop a knowledge-based economy and invest in skills for smart specialization

Expected impacts

Scientific

  1. Increased science and innovation capacities for all actors in the R&I system in widening countries

  2. Higher participation success in Horizon Europe and more consortium leadership roles

Economic

  1. Structural changes leading to a modernised and more competitive R&I systems in eligible countries
  2. Stronger linkages between academia and business and improved career permeability
  3. Greater involvement of regional actors in R&I process.

Societal

  1. Reformed R&I systems and institutions leading also to increased attractiveness and retention of research talents
  2. Strengthened role of the Higher Education sector in R&I.
  3. Improved outreach to international scale for all actors

Explore Work Packages

WP1

PROJECT MANAGEMENT
WP2

R&I STRATEGY, ACTION & INVESTMENT PLANS
WP3

RESEARCH & INNOVATION
WP4

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT & MUTUAL LEARNING
WP5

RAISING VISIBILITY & OUTREACH

Technologies

Marine Spatial Planning Platform

A prototype Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) tool will include data and software tools and models related to planning maritime activities in the Mediterranean, specifically the Adriatic and Levantine seas. Open-access tools and databases will be integrated with the tool along with the design of algorithms for intelligent MSP, and the design of user-friendly and responsive dashboards relevant to maritime sectors within the scope of this proposal.

Proof Of Concept (POC) IoTs for MSP applications using low-cost commercial-off-the-shelf sensing, processing, and communication units will be designed. These will stimulate the uptake of new technologies by the wider population that will deliver data that will be used on the MSP platform, such as wave height, pollution levels, wind speed. 

Robotic & IoT Products

Mobile IoT buoy
Low cost underwater IoT
Render of a diver mounted IoT

The IoTs will be installed in existing robotic units and small vessels used for recreation and sports activities. Additionally, an internet-connected compact case with water quality IoTs and consumables will be designed and developed. The inexpensive POC IoTs, integrated with funding provided by this call, will have the potential to become fully functional products using additional public or private funding.

Envisioned main IoT POC technologies include hydrophone IoTs for sound pollution and classification of sea traffic for marine protected area monitoring, low-cost IoTs measuring acceleration and sea state characteristics mounted on recreational or sport activity vessels, and internet-connected toolboxes containing consumables for sea experiments and data logging/cloud upload.