Project BLUECONNECT
PROGRAmMe:
Interreg VI-A IPA Hrvatska – Bosna i Hercegovina – Crna Gora 2021- 2027
PROJECT TITLE:
Enhancing Cross-Border Blue Growth: Fostering Innovation and Cooperation for Competitive Enterpreneurship
AcRONyM:
BLUECONNECT
duration:
1. 8. 2024. – 31. 1. 2027.
TOTAL BUDGET:
944.533,80 €
About
The program area faces shared challenges in Blue Growth, such as limited cross-border cooperation, insufficient knowledge exchange, and slow adoption of advanced technologies. These obstacles hinder sustainable development and sector competitiveness, calling for collaborative efforts to address them effectively.
By promoting smart investments, the primary goal of the BLUECONNECT project is to establish a strong and sustainable ecosystem of cross-border cooperation that will serve as a reference point, supporting the growth and advancement of the Blue Growth sector, which is crucial for sustainable economic development in the targeted region.
The general goal of the project is to enhance research, innovation, and the adoption of new advanced technologies among stakeholders, including companies, universities, research centers, and training institutions.
The project will deliver several key outcomes to achieve its goals. These include establishing regional “Blue Growth” cooperation and creating a “Blue Growth” collaboration platform. Through strategic partnerships and digital tools, the project enables stakeholders to collaborate effectively. Beneficiaries of these outcomes will include businesses, universities, research centers, and training institutions within the program area. By fostering cross-border cooperation and knowledge exchange, the project empowers stakeholders to embrace innovation and adopt advanced technologies, leading to improved productivity and resource efficiency.
The project coordinator at the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries: dr.sc. Barbara Zorica
Partners
Lead PARTNER
University of Montenegro; Institute of Marine Biologya
(Montenegro)
PROJEct PARTNER
Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries
(Croatia)
PROJEct PARTNER
Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro
(Montenegro)
PROJEct PARTNER
Chamber of Commerce of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
(Bosnia and Herzegovina)
News
BLUECONNECT Partners’ Meeting in Mostar
A consortium meeting of the project was held in Mostar, during which our researchers presented the activities carried out so far and took part in the interactive workshop “Blue Growth Clustering.” The workshop brought together representatives from the blue growth business sector, relevant institutions, local and regional authorities, and the academic community.
Installation of FLOWCAM Device and Scientist Training
In mid-May, two FlowCam Yokogawa systems were installed in the Fisheries Biology Laboratory of the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries. These devices represent a significant advancement in the automation of ichthyoplankton community analysis in key fishing areas, as well as in monitoring bivalve larval abundance at aquaculture sites.
BLUECONNECT at the CROFISH 2024 Fair
At the international fisheries fair CROFISH 2024, held in Poreč from November 22 to 24, we presented our INTERREG project BLUECONNECT. The CROFISH fair was a great opportunity to showcase our goals and activities to a broad audience – from scientists and fishers to decision-makers and future generations who may one day become part of the blue economy.
BLUECONNECT Project Kick-off Meeting
The official kick-off meeting of the BLUECONNECT project was held in Kotor, Montenegro, with participation from our scientists from the Laboratory of Fisheries Science. During the meeting, the Project Management Team (PMT) was established, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities—a crucial step toward effectively coordinating partners from Montenegro, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
