NEWS: ABBA Partners Meeting – Rijeka, Croatia

On October 1–2, 2025, partners of the ABBA – Adriatic-Ionian SustainaBle Blue Economy Alliance for upscaling SMEs (IPA-ADRION 284) met in Rijeka, Croatia. The meeting took place at Botel Marina, bringing together representatives from all partner countries to review progress and coordinate the next steps of the project.

During the first day, participants were welcomed by the host organization and the Lead Partner. An overview of the project’s overall status was presented, including its objectives, timeline, roles of partners, and key results achieved so far. Discussions then focused on the establishment of the Adriatic-Ionian Sustainable Blue Economy Alliance, reviewing progress in each participating country and identifying the next steps to further strengthen cooperation.

The meeting also addressed the implementation and evaluation of pilot activities designed to support SMEs through innovative solutions and transnational collaboration. In the afternoon, partners discussed project management matters, including financial implementation, reporting procedures, internal coordination, and communication systems. The day concluded with a summary of agreed next steps and a joint dinner that further strengthened cooperation among partners.

The second day began with a session dedicated to project communication, focusing on visibility, outreach, and stakeholder engagement across the Adriatic-Ionian region. This was followed by a joint discussion and formal approval of the Action Plan for the second semester, ensuring coordinated implementation in the months ahead. The meeting concluded with a local event and discussions on potential project synergies, offering additional opportunities for networking and collaboration.

The Rijeka meeting marked an important milestone for the ABBA project, reinforcing transnational cooperation and advancing joint efforts to support SMEs and promote sustainable blue economy development throughout the Adriatic-Ionian region.