Project Summary

The Adriatic Ionian (AI) MacroRegion exhibits noticeable variations in spatial, socioeconomic and R&I conditions. Even though most of the AI Regions have increased their innovation performance through transnational programmes and other initiatives, low R&D investment, limited number of science and tech-based SMEs undertaking innovation activities to address regional challenges, existing gaps in research and innovation capabilities hinder the opportunities for development and growth. While the exchanges of goods and services of mainly coastal and port-owning countries are present and vital in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, their growth and prosperity are hindered by the challenges the region deals, concerning the environment and energy, the labor market employment, the networks, connectivity and transport. Blue Economy growth aiming at promoting sustainable development in the marine and maritime sectors as a unified entity, presents significant opportunities for economic growth and job creation in the Adriatic and Ionian Region and offers significant economic potential and innovation opportunities through sea-related activities with yet unexploited potential. ABBA overall objective is to strengthen the regional innovation ecosystems supporting the transition towards sustainable blue growth through harnessing the potential of advanced technologies and fostering innovation by offering tailored services and support to deep tech innovators of the MacroRegion. A competent partnership, composed by key stakeholders of the ADRION blue economy ecosystem, capitalizing on successful previous initiatives and R&D projects, will establish an Adriatic-Ionian Sustainable Blue Economy Alliance and 6 Regional Blue Excellence Hubs in GR, IT, HR, ME, AL, and BiH, focusing in Blue Economy key sub-sectors and S3 crosscutting priorities in all areas involved (Port activities, marine renewable energy, maritime transport, sustainable aquaculture & fisheries, Shipbuilding & repair and blue bioeconomy and biotechnology) to facilitate upscaling, capacity building, international cooperation, and investment promotion. ABBA consortium will : - Jointly develop, test and validate two solutions of innovation support services for strengthening the innovation capacities of early-stage blue economy deep tech innovators (SMEs, Startups, spin-offs, research teams, etc.) working on advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, nanotechnology, biotechnology, quantum computing, and advanced materials, applicable in various blue economy sectors - Actively support the scaling-up and uptake of 30 early-stage blue economy deeptech concepts, promoting sustainable blue economy innovations. - Facilitate the development of 12 Proof of Concepts through transnational Open Innovation partnerships bridging the gap in research and innovation capabilities. Bringing together the blue economy stakeholders under the umbrella of the Alliance, ABBA will - Foster transnational collaboration to increase blue economy RDI performance of the Adriatic-Ionian Region; - Enhance the value of MacroRegion strengths in deep tech and its contribution in blue growth; - Reflect these linkages in the regional, national and transnational S3 strategies; - Contribute to bridging the gap among the existing wide regional disparities.