The blue economy—including fishing, aquaculture, nautical services, and other marine-related activities—is one of the key drivers of the European Union’s coastal regions. Although traditional blue economy sectors have a strong history and significant economic potential, many of them today face serious challenges: a lack of innovation, a shortage of skilled labor, poor digitalization, and limited access to modern business solutions. Smaller and remote maritime areas are particularly affected, where SMEs often lack the capacity to keep pace with rapid market changes and innovation trends.

The BLUESLINKS project was designed to address these very challenges and create a strong cross-border network connecting the business sector, educational institutions, development agencies, and innovation centers in Italy and Croatia. The goal is to support the modernization of traditional blue economy sectors, enhance their digital and innovation capabilities, and boost employment opportunities for young people in coastal communities.

What does BLUESLINKS develop?

1. Network of Innovation Hubs (BLUESLINKS S3 Hub Network)

The project establishes a specialized network of innovation centers that provide support for 80 small and medium-sized enterprises three target sectors: fishing and aquaculture, water sports, and fishing tourism.
The following is offered to students:

• a catalog of innovative and digital business solutions,
• access to experts and IT tools,
• support for sustainable and smart business models.

The goal is to improve the sustainability, competitiveness, and resilience of SMEs in the face of major environmental and economic challenges.

2. Three mechanisms for linking the labor market and businesses

The project is developing new, creative ways to connect companies with young professionals and job seekers through:

• online platform for MSPs and individuals interested in a career in the blue economy,
• Tri Hackathon Competition (fishing and aquaculture, boating, and fishing tourism) in which more than 150 young people and SMEs,
• three cross-border business fairs, which create a space for direct connections between employers and the future workforce.

Hackathons are a particularly innovative type of project because they provide a space for creating prototypes, solving real-world challenges in the industry, and presenting ideas that can evolve into concrete business solutions.

3. Training, events, and study visits to help young people and SMEs develop their skills

The project organizes three groups of educational activities:

• Info sessions and short workshops across all three sectors (boating, aquaculture/fisheries, and fishing tourism) to enhance SMEs’ knowledge of digital transformation, access to capital, marketing, and corporate social responsibility.
• Open exchanges and field visits students and teachers so they can directly experience work environments such as ports, mariculture facilities, shipping companies, tourism, and innovation centers.
• Involving schools and young people in practical work through study visits, workshops, mentoring, and career guidance.

These activities raise awareness of career opportunities in the blue economy and help foster a new generation of professionals.

The project aims to empower SMEs and enhance their innovation capabilities, increase youth employability through new skills and practical experience, promote sustainable, digital, and circular business models in coastal sectors, develop cooperation between Italy and Croatia in the fields of innovation and the blue economy, and support local communities in building more resilient and competitive economies.

BLUESLINKS combines tradition and innovation, laying the groundwork for the sustainable development of the Adriatic region and paving the way for new business models, jobs, and technologies that protect the sea and the coastal environment.