Smart and innovative blue skills for competitive blue economy

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Italy-Croatia

Date of latest update: 2025-08-20

Description

Description (EN):

The project MareSkill aims to tackle the problem of bridging the gap between the labor market needs and adequate skills in the blue economy of the cooperation area. Through the implementation of pilot activities, the project encourages education and the development of upskilling (upgrading existing skills) and reskilling (training in new skills) programs for blue economy sectors to develop the skills and knowledge needed to work in industries such as marine and coastal tourism, aquaculture, maritime and offshore energy. These education and training programs would provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in blue economy sectors and help support the growth of these industries by providing a skilled workforce and identifying future skills and competency needs and developing appropriate training and curricula on the cross-border level. Furthermore, the project aims at the greater alignment of industry needs and occupational profiles with training and curricula through the evaluation of training and education methods to effectively increase employment and career opportunities. These education and training programs would provide targeted groups with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the blue economy sectors and help to support the growth of these industries by providing a skilled workforce. From the partners' perspective, several new solutions that might be developed during the project and/or existing solutions that could be adopted and implemented during the project lifetime have been previously drafted and will be implemented during the project lifetime.

Actual Achievements (EN):

The project has made significant progress towards its objectives. It focuses on strengthening the blue economy by addressing skill gaps, fostering innovation, and promoting sustainable growth through transnational cooperation. Collaborative efforts among partners have resulted in the successful delivery of key outputs and the initiation of activities critical for future phases. One of the major achievements is the development of the Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP) Methodology (D.1.1.4). This framework enables the systematic analysis of the blue economy sectors, identifying trends, challenges, and opportunities while mapping workforce skill gaps. The methodology integrates insights from stakeholders across academia, industry, and policymaking, ensuring it is both comprehensive and aligned with real market needs. This collaborative approach enhances the project's relevance and long-term impact. Another key deliverable, the Communication Plan (D.1.1.1), was finalized to guide dissemination efforts. It defines strategies for engaging stakeholders, raising awareness about the importance of blue skills development, and sharing project results. The launch of the project website and active social media engagement have already reached a wide audience, promoting the project’s objectives and its contribution to sustainable blue economy growth. The Partnership Agreement (D.1.1.2) was established early in the project to formalize partners' roles and responsibilities, ensuring smooth collaboration and effective project implementation. Regular project meetings have further supported alignment and efficient decision-making. Progress has also been made in preparatory activities for future deliverables. The structured questionnaire (D.1.2.1), currently under development, will collect qualitative and quantitative data from key stakeholders, providing essential insights into workforce needs. Initial work on the project newsletter (D.1.1.3) is underway, focusing on sharing updates and achievements with a broad audience. By the end of the second reporting period, the MareSkill project had made significant progress in addressing skill gaps across essential blue economy sectors, including aquaculture, maritime tourism, marine technologies, environmental protection, and digital innovation. This progress was achieved through a coordinated and evidence-based approach that relied on stakeholder participation and cross-border collaboration. In line with its objectives, during PR2, the project applied the previously developed Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP) methodology (D.1.1.4), which served as the conceptual and operational basis for all subsequent activities. This methodology was used to create a comprehensive stakeholder questionnaire (D.1.2.1) and to conduct interviews across Croatia and Italy with companies, students, and institutions. The collected input focused on current and future skills needs, preferred training methods, and emerging sectoral challenges. The data analysis (D.1.2.2) was initiated and will be completed in PR3, providing the analytical foundation for pilot course implementation and policy dialogue. Based on these findings, the project successfully designed seven modular pilot education programs (D.2.1.1) at EQF Level 5, structured around micro-credentials and ECVET/ECTS principles. These courses are bilingual, modular, and flexible, tailored to the needs of students, NEETs, and professionals. Their content includes syllabi, learning outcomes, and assessment strategies customized for the MareSkill LMS platform, which was developed as an additional project deliverable and deployed during PR2 to support multilingual access and academic authentication (AAI/eduGAIN). Although not formally listed as a deliverable in the project application and Jems, the LMS represents a significant project output that ensures the long-term usability and monitoring of learning progress. A key milestone was the international Workshop on Designing Effective Training Programmes (D.2.1.2), held in Zadar in February 2025, which gathered 20 experts from all partner institutions. The workshop served as both a peer review and training event, allowing participants to evaluate and refine course content while testing the LMS platform. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, confirming the relevance and quality of the developed materials. Communication and visibility efforts were strategically aligned with the project’s horizontal principles and sectoral goals. The first project newsletter (D.1.1.3) was produced and disseminated, supported by the Communication Plan (D.1.1.1), which ensured consistency in all public materials. MareSkill was presented at numerous national and international events, including the InnovaMare Academy 2.0 (October 2024), the Smart4Food conference (December 2024), the Green Eye Festival (January 2025), and a dedicated blue economy panel at the EcoMinds and EverGreen project day (October 2024). These engagements raised awareness about the project’s aims and involved students, educators, policymakers, and the general public. Importantly, MareSkill’s added value lies in its cross-border cooperation, involving partners and stakeholders from Italy and Croatia. In addition to formal partners, the project engaged five non-partner universities: the University of Bari, the University of Foggia, the Università del Salento, the University of Padua, and the University of Verona through interviews and events. Notably, these institutions actively participated in the Quality Aquaculture pilot course (March 2025, Bari) and the international blue economy conference (November 2024, Padua), directly contributing to the project’s deliverables and stakeholder network. Their involvement supported the achievement of output indicator RCO87_1.2, related to institutional cooperation across borders. Finally, groundwork has been laid for further stakeholder engagement and policy dialogue, including the initial drafting of cross-border recommendations on educational methods and credentialing (D.1.3.1) and the preparation of two roundtables (D.1.3.2) scheduled to take place in Croatia and Italy during the next reporting period. These activities confirm that MareSkill is not only delivering technical outputs but is also building a sustainable ecosystem for cooperation, innovation, and reform in blue economy education. During PR2, four coordination meetings (OMU/SC) were held on 13 November 2024, 19 December 2024, 27 January 2025, and 17 March 2025, ensuring consistent partner engagement and timely implementation of project activities.

Project outputs: Cooperation of educational organizations for improvement of educational methods (EN)
Jointly implemented pilot courses for upskilling and reskililng in blue economy(EN)
Joint exchange of experience and knowledge in skills for better employment(EN)
Website: https://www.italy-croatia.eu/web/mareskill

Thematic information

Coastal management and maritime issues Labour market and employment Education and training

Priority: (VI-A_I-Hr_1) Sustainable growth in the blue economy

Priority specific objective: RSO1.4. Developing skills for smart specialisation, industrial transition and entrepreneurship

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO1 A more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity

Type of intervention: 023 Skills development for smart specialisation, industrial transition, entrepreneurship and adaptability of enterprises to change

Partners (9)

Lead Partner: Veleučilište u Šibeniku

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 939152740

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 61727512157 | 61727512157 | dekanat@vus.hr (EN)

Department: Dean's office

Address: Trg Andrije Hebranga, 22000 Sibenik, Croatia

Department address: Trg Andrije Hebranga, 22000 Sibenik, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.vus.hr/?lang=en

Total budget: EUR 247 529.30

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 198 023.44

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 49 505.86

Università degli Studi di Trieste

Name: Università degli Studi di Trieste

Department: Department of Engineering and Architecture

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999842051

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 00211830328 | 80013890324 | dia@pec.units.it (EN)

Address: Piazzale Europa , 34127 Trieste, Italy

Department address: via Valerio , 34127 Trieste, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.units.it/

Total budget: EUR 168 503.70

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 168 503.70

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 100.00%

Contractors:

Name: MARE FVG -S.C.A.R.L.
VAT registration or tax identification number: IT01138620313

Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale - OGS

Name: Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale - OGS

Department: OCEANOGRAPHY

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999625644

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 00055590327 | 00055590327 | ogs@pec.it (EN)

Address: Borgo Grotta Gigante, 34010 Sgonico (Trieste), Italy

Department address: Borgo Grotta Gigante, 34010 Sgonico (Trieste), Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.ogs.it/en

Total budget: EUR 167 398.50

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 167 398.50

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 100.00%

Agenzia regionale per la tecnologia, il trasferimento tecnologico e l’innovazione

Name: Agenzia regionale per la tecnologia, il trasferimento tecnologico e l’innovazione

Partner’s ID if not PIC: - | 93554120720 | arti@pec.rupar.puglia.it (EN)

Address: Via Giulio Petroni, 70124 Bari, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: https://www.arti.puglia.it/

Total budget: EUR 166 088.70

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 166 088.70

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 100.00%

Contractors:

Name: Adecco Italia SPA
VAT registration or tax identification number: 13366030156

Fondazione Fenice Onlus

Name: Fondazione Fenice Onlus

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 941925970

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 04152340289 | 92181230282 | postacertificata@pec.fondazionefenice.it (EN)

Address: lungargine Rovetta, 35127 Padua, Italy

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://www.fondazionefenice.it/

Total budget: EUR 167 986.50

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 167 986.50

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 100.00%

Hrvatska gospodarska komora

Name: Hrvatska gospodarska komora

Department: Center of innovations and EU projects, County Chamber Šibenik-Knin county

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 998670970

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 85167032587 | 85167032587 | hgk@hgk.hr (EN)

Address: Rooseveltov trg , 10000 Zagreb , Croatia

Department address: Fra Jerolima Milete, 22000 Šibenik, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: https://www.hgk.hr/

Total budget: EUR 166 091.92

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 132 873.53

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 33 218.39

Sveučilište u Rijeci

Name: Sveučilište u Rijeci

Department: Faculty of Biotechnology and Drug Development

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 997640733

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 64218323816 | 64218323816

Address: Trg braće Mažuranića , 51000 Rijeka , Croatia

Department address: Radmile Matejcic , 51000 Rijeka, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://uniri.hr/en/home/

Total budget: EUR 148 608.56

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 118 886.84

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 29 721.72

Sveučilište u Zadru

Name: Sveučilište u Zadru

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 991684060

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 10839679016 | 10839679016 | rektorat@unizd.hr (EN)

Address: Mihovila Pavlinovića, 23000 Zadar, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.unizd.hr/

Total budget: EUR 150 345.66

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 120 276.52

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 30 069.14

Agenzia Regionale per la Tecnologia e l'Innovazione

Name: Agenzia Regionale per la Tecnologia e l'Innovazione

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 961298422

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 06365770723

Address: Via Giulio Petroni, 70124 Bari, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: https://www.arti.puglia.it/

Total budget: EUR 166 088.70

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 166 088.70

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 100.00%

Contractors:

Name: Adecco Italia SPA
VAT registration or tax identification number: 13366030156

Partners map

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Smart and innovative blue skills for competitive blue economy

Project acronym: MareSkill

Project ID: ITHR0200456

Project start date: 2024-04-01

Project end date: 2026-09-30

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

MATES project (ERASMUS+) 2018-2022 (EN) | The MATES project aimed to develop a skills strategy for the maritime industry, focusing on shipbuilding and offshore renewable energy. The project addresses the need for new capacities in a digital, green, and knowledge-driven economy. The results and impacts of the project are significant and can create synergies in other sectors of the blue economy as follows:
- A long-term Strategy and Action Plan to tackle current and future skills shortages.
- Establishment and involvement of a Europe-wide network of projects, initiatives, organizations, and experts.
- Identification of future skills and competence needs and the development of corresponding training and curricula.
- Greater alignment of industry needs and occupational profiles with training and curricula.
- Validation of training and education pathways for effectively increasing employability and career opportunities.
- Successful completion of 11 Pilot Experiences and identification of recommendations for the long-term strategy.
- Targeted industries better equipped to respond to challenges posed by digital, data and green technologies, through access to a more qualified labor force.
- Greater resilience in the maritime job market and the safeguarding of stable employment in the shipbuilding and offshore renewable energy sectors.
- A more competitive European maritime industry with increased attractiveness of maritime careers for graduates and early-career skilled workers.
- Transfer and exploitation of knowledge in support of Blue Growth.
The results from the MATES project will be used as a starting point for project activities, particularly for the development of A1.2, which involves creating a methodology for conducting an entrepreneurial discovery process for blue skills in focused sectors and innovation/entrepreneurial areas. (EN), The European Ocean Coalition (EU4Ocean) (EN) | The Blue Economy is expanding and diversifying into emerging areas like ocean energy, marine biotechnology, and surveillance. However, these new areas require new skill sets that need to be fostered in Blue Economy communities, schools, and organizations. To address this, the European Commission has launched several initiatives to help close the skills gap in blue careers.
One such initiative is the European Ocean Coalition (EU4Ocean). It's an inclusive initiative that connects various organizations, projects, and people who contribute to ocean literacy and the sustainable management of the ocean. EU4Ocean has several components like the EU4Ocean Platform, the Youth4Ocean Forum, the Network of European Blue Schools, and the European Atlas of the Seas.
The EU4Ocean Platform is where organizations and individuals engaged in Ocean Literacy initiatives meet and exchange information. The Youth4Ocean Forum is a European Youth Forum for the Ocean. The Network of European Blue Schools is a network of schools that promote ocean literacy. The European Atlas of the Seas is an interactive way to raise awareness and learn about Europe's seas and coasts.
By connecting with these initiatives, organizations, projects, and people, the project would greatly benefit from the synergies and complementarities, especially in the Adriatic region. The MareSkill cross-border knowledge hub will join the EU4Ocean Platform and explore the possibility of entering the Network of European Blue Schools. This will stimulate peer-to-peer academic dialogue. The methodology and pilot courses will leverage the expertise and resources accumulated within the EU4Ocean platform, utilizing its content as a foundational element in their development. (EN), INNOVAMARE project Interreg Italy-Croatia 2014-2020 (EN) | The InnovaMare strategic project is a joint initiative that aims to develop an innovation ecosystem in the field of underwater robotics and sensors. The project focuses on monitoring and surveillance in the blue economy sector, with a mission to ensure the sustainability of the Adriatic Sea. The project addresses one of the main challenges in the field, which is to enhance the effectiveness of innovation activities by improving the transfer of knowledge between enterprises, R&D centers, higher education institutions and the public sector through education and capacity-building initiatives. The InnovaMare project promotes cross-border collaboration between the science and private sector, and facilitates international networks for SMEs. The project aims to enhance collaboration on technology transfer by creating an innovative network for underwater robotics and sensors.
The InnovaMare Academy offers preparatory and upskilling services for marine technologies and blue economy sectors through online modules, auditorium meetings, and access to water, robots, and related technology. Stakeholders gain insights and participate in trials and demos of potential applications in innovative marine technologies. The Academy aims to enhance skills and competences in the application of blue technologies in blue economy sectors.Pilot courses will be tailored to address the needs identified within the InnovaMare project, focusing on upskilling and reskilling professionals, researchers and stakeholders in the blue economy.
Methodology A1.2, the design of pilot course programs A2.1 and pilot course A2.2 will benefit from the experiences gained in the InnovaMare project. CCE, UNITS, ARTI, OGS, UNIZG will share and exploit the rich repository of knowledge gained in InnovaMare with other PPs in charge of A1.2, A2.1 and A2.2. The extensive network of the InnovaMare project will be activated and involved in cross-border knowledge hub activities such as pilot courses and conferences.
(EN), GROOM II - Gliders for Research, Ocean Observations and Management: Infrastructure and Innovation
(EN) | The GROOM II project is dedicated to integrating marine autonomous systems into a sustainable European marine research network. It aims to establish GROOM RI, an innovative research infrastructure that fosters scientific excellence and innovation, while building partnerships. GROOM II enhances the European infrastructure for MASs and connects with global and European Ocean Observing Systems. The project focuses on optimizing MAS use for climate and marine environment studies, operational services, and reducing carbon footprint through digital infrastructure, automation, and AI. GROOM II's efforts will pave the way for AMRIT, which will integrate services from all European Marine Research Infrastructures into a unified framework and become the cornerstone of the European Ocean Observing System.
The proposed project will conduct a comprehensive review of the GROOM II project's outcomes, focusing on the innovative approaches and methodologies developed for the integration and optimization of marine autonomous systems in marine research and monitoring. The review will extract key insights, best practices, and lessons learned from GROOM II, especially those related to the sustainable operation of MASs, the enhancement of ocean observing capabilities, and the reduction of carbon footprints through advanced digital infrastructures and the use of automation and AI.
The proposed project aims to tailor methodologies to address the unique environmental, economic, and social challenges and opportunities within the Adriatic Sea. This includes collaborating with local stakeholders to align with the region's sustainability goals and contribute to marine policies and blue economy initiatives.
By leveraging the international experiences developed through GROOM II, the proposed project aims to enhance the Adriatic's capacity for marine research and monitoring, fostering innovation and supporting the sustainable development of the region's blue economy. (EN), BlueBRIDGE (EN) | A virtual platform has been developed for data access, analysis, and publication to support sustainable growth in the marine and maritime sectors. The EU-funded BlueBRIDGE project has been vital in building the knowledge infrastructure for informed decision-making across different domains.
The Blue Growth strategy of the EU aims to foster economic growth and innovation through the sustainable development of marine and maritime sectors, and the BlueBRIDGE project supports this strategy. The project focuses on leveraging existing data and e-infrastructures to produce and disseminate knowledge products. It has developed 66 Virtual Research Environments (VREs), web-based platforms that provide access to data and services tailored to enhance understanding of marine environments, resources, and economies.
The VREs were created through the collaboration of various experts, including administrators, software developers, VRE managers, and scientists/educators, to support decision-making, processing effectiveness, and innovation across a range of stakeholders. The VREs serve specific purposes, such as assessing fish species protection, benchmarking aquaculture performance, and planning marine protection efforts.
The BlueBRIDGE project has facilitated the harmonization and analysis of data across biological, environmental, and socio-economic domains, contributing to informed decision-making and educational activities. It aligns with FAIR principles to ensure data is findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable, supporting the Open Science vision and the European Open Science Cloud.
The proposed project will scout and exploit the knowledge of the open-source platform developed in Blue Bridge and use it in the Adriatic context to promote open science collaboration, support sustainable blue economy initiatives, and improve capacity building and education through the access of Virtual Research Environments.
(EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 382 552.84

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 106 042.25

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 88.59%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 1 106 042.25. Co-financing rate, 88.59%.
Others: Amount, EUR 133 995.48.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Communication plan - responsible partner ARTI
Partnership agreement - responsible partner VUS
Newsletter - Period 1 - responsible partner CCE
Developed methodology for EDP - responsible partners VUS, UNIZD and UNITS
Developed questionnaire - responsible partner UNIZD
Analysis report on blue skill gap and education methods - responsible partners VUS, OGS
Recommendations for improvement of education methods and credentials on a cross-border level - UNIZD
Report from the round table with stakeholders - responsible partner CCE
Developed education program and materials - responsible partners UNIZD, UNITS
Report on Workshop on designing effective training programe - responsible partners UNIZD, UNITS
Newsletter – Period 2 - responsible partner CCE
Report on public presentation of training programes - responsible partner VUS
Template for the certificate - responsible partner ARTI
Report on conducted 4 pilot courses - responsible partner VUS
Newsletter for Period 3-4 - responsible partner CCE
Recommendations for improvement - responsible partner OGS
Report on organized study visits - responsible partner CCE
Developed Video clips for social media from study visits - responsible partner ARTI
Developed knowledge exchange model guidelines - responsible partner UNIZD
Report on Workshops on best practies in TT - responsible partner UNIRI
Developed and signed Framework agreement - responsible partner CCE
Report on organized final conference - responsible partner VUS
Newsletter-Period 5 - responsible partner CCE
Final Communicaton report – responsible partner ARTI

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyAdriaticIonianRegion Our project focuses on the EUSAIR strategy's Blue Growth pillar, covering Blue Technologies, Fisheries and Aquaculture, and Maritime Governance. We aim to develop skilled human capital, create jobs, and foster cooperation among research, public, and private sectors for innovative products and technology transfer. Our work packages address EUSAIR's upskilling and reskilling needs in the Adrion region, such as creating a knowledge hub and implementing new educational methods through pilot courses to support a skilled blue economy workforce. We use an EDP methodology to identify and develop future blue economy skills, aligning with the EU's strategy for smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth. Our activities address skill gaps and support industrial transition toward innovative and sustainable practices. The "MareSkill" project enhances entrepreneurial skills through pilot courses and targeted training programs, aligning with SO.1.2's goal to boost entrepreneurship and drive innovation. Cross-border educational programs and training modules promote mutual learning and skill sharing, fostering a collaborative ecosystem for innovation and smart specialization. This creates a knowledge hub aligning with SO.1.2, serving as a central repository for best practices, innovative teaching, and industry-academia collaboration, enriching the Adriatic-Ionian blue economy's knowledge base. By involving academic institutions and industry players, we strengthen industry-academia linkages to translate research and innovation into market skills, ensuring our upskilling initiatives create a workforce that meets current and future demands. Through roundtable discussions and collaborative platforms, we aim to launch joint initiatives to drive innovation and smart specialization within the EUSAIR area, using the gathered insights and data to inform policy recommendations that enhance the blue economy's sustainability and competitiveness, contributing to EUSAIR's strategic objectives.
EuropeanGreenDeal The focus of the EU Cohesion policy in 2021-2027 remains the sustainable economic competitiveness through research and innovation, digital transition, the European Green Deal objectives as well as the promotion of the European Pillar of Social Rights. In the new programming period, the eleven thematic objectives used in 2014-2020 cohesion policy have been replaced by five Policy Objectives for ERDF, ESF+, the Cohesion Fund and the EMFAF.
Out of five Policy Objectives (PO) and the Specific Objectives (SO) for the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund, the PO 1- A more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation deals with developing skill domain under SO 4 - Developing skills for smart specialization, industrial transition and entrepreneurship. The project focuses on closing the gap between labor market needs and the availability of adequate skills in the blue economy sectors. This is achieved by developing upskilling and reskilling programs tailored to the needs of marine and coastal tourism, aquaculture, and maritime and offshore energy industries. This initiative supports the EU Green Deal's ambition to create a more sustainable economy through education and skill development, thus ensuring that the workforce is equipped to contribute to and benefit from a green and blue economy. It aims to align industry needs with occupational profiles, thereby enhancing employment and career opportunities in sectors critical to the green transition. This aligns with the Green Deal's goal of ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth by making the EU's economy green and competitive.
Other The European Blue Growth Strategy - In 2012 the Commission launched its Blue Growth strategy, which forms the current framework for stimulating growth in the Blue Economy. It was followed by an additional communication in 2014 and a working document in 2017. To stimulate growth in the various sectors, the strategy lists certain 'key enablers' such as maritime spatial planning, data collection, research and innovation, maritime surveillance, and efforts to improve skills. To be fully effective and impactful, R&I activities should reflect on the specific needs and opportunities for the region. It is important to prioritize education, vocational training, and technological capacity to anticipate technological trends and promote just transitions. Collaboration with the private sector to promote innovation and address skills gaps is crucial. Educational and employment policies should be tailored to regional specificities to ensure greater career opportunities and quality jobs in the Blue Economy across the Mediterranean region. The proposed project aims to develop skills for smart specialization, industrial transition, and entrepreneurship, in line with the EU's strategy for sustainable growth in the blue economy. By conducting pilot activities and promoting education and development of upskilling and reskilling programs, the project contributes to the objectives of the EU's blue growth strategy, which seeks to support sustainable growth in the marine and maritime sectors as a whole. The project's output, including recommendations for improving education methods and credentials on a cross-border level and the developed knowledge hub, will contribute to the strategic objectives of the EU's blue economy and promote cross-border cooperation while enhancing skills and supporting the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient blue economy.
Other The project MareSkill correlates with the Horizon program through its alignment with key strategic goals related to the development of the blue economy, particularly focusing on skills and educational advancements across borders. The project specifically targets the development of skills necessary for the blue economy that aligns with Horizon Europe's emphasis on building capacity and advancing knowledge in strategic economic sectors, especially those that are sustainable and growth-oriented. The project's focus on developing new curricula and educational methods to bridge the gap between current training and industry needs mirrors Horizon's objective of driving innovation in education and training to meet future societal and economic demands. With an emphasis on sustainable growth within the blue economy, the project contributes to the Horizon program's broader goal of supporting research and innovation that promote environmental sustainability and help achieve the European Green Deal objectives. By aligning training programs more closely with industry needs, the project aims to enhance employability, which is in line with Horizon's objective of boosting economic growth and job creation in emerging sectors.
Other The industrial transition plan for Adriatic Croatia involves a multifaceted approach to enhance the region's economic resilience, particularly through skills development and the integration of new technologies. This initiative is part of a broader effort to adapt to and lead in the digital and green transitions, which are crucial for sustainable growth in the region.
The plan emphasizes the development of skills necessary for smart specialization and industrial transition, focusing on upskilling and reskilling activities to align with the new sectoral and regional needs in blue economy sevtors that is fully covered by MareSkill activities of discovering new education methods and pilot courses. This includes fostering a strong connection between businesses and educational institutions to ensure the workforce is equipped for emerging technologies and industries. Furthermore, substantial investments are allocated to bolstering innovation and digital transformation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Overall, the plan for industrial transition in Adriatic Croatia is well-integrated with the national strategies for digitalization and innovation, ensuring that the region remains competitive and adapts efficiently to the evolving economic landscape. As it is stressed importance of understanding needs for skill development that will be covered with activities for need mapping in MareSkills project.
Other Italy's Smart Specialization Strategy (S3) integrates "blue skills" related to the marine and maritime sectors as part of its commitment to developing the blue economy. This approach focuses on harnessing the potential of Italy's extensive coastal areas and marine resources to foster sustainable growth and innovation in related industries. The involvement of blue skills includes enhancing maritime technology, sustainable fisheries, marine biotechnology, and coastal tourism, among others.
The emphasis on blue skills aligns with the broader European strategy to support sustainable growth in marine and maritime sectors through innovation and smart specialization. This includes developing new value chains and enhancing regional capacities in these sectors, which are integral to the blue economy. Furthermore, the Smart Specialisation Strategy in Italy, like in other regions, follows a place-based approach that builds on the unique assets and resources of the territory. It requires active participation from stakeholders across the public sector, private sector, academia, and civil society, often referred to as the quadruple helix model and key of Mare Skill project is to identify stakeholders, address their needs and organise events for sharing knowledge. This inclusive and collaborative approach ensures that the strategies are well-aligned with local needs and capabilities, driving meaningful and sustainable development. Italy's focus on blue skills underlines the importance of specialized skills development and innovation in supporting the economic sectors that leverage the country's geographic and economic strengths.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 001 - Enterprises supported (of which: micro, small, medium, large), Measurement unit:
RCO 081 - Participations in joint actions across borders, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO87) Organisations cooperating across borders: 17.0

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
RCR 085 - Participations in joint actions across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSAIR

EUSAIR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSAIR Degree of compliance:

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Italy-Croatia

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-08-20

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

76 / 76 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

483 / 483 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Smart and innovative blue skills for competitive blue economy

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