Leading blue economy innovation ecosystem players to share their knowledge and build capacity and investment opportunities in two subsectors: aquaculture & fisheries, and renewable marine energy & decarbonisation, for a sustainable future.
The I3-4-BLUE GROWTH project aims to empower less developed European regions in order to strengthen the capacities of their blue economy ecosystems in identifying interregional innovation projects, promoting the development of a sustainable and intelligent blue economy.
The core focus will be on two core value chains with potential for innovation and growth, in particular: sustainable seafood, aquaculture & valorisation of blue resources (value chain #1), and maritime renewable energy & decarbonisation of the maritime sector (value chain #2). Identification and mapping of opportunities for innovative, sustainable and deeptech investments across those sectors will be at the core of the project activities.
I3-4-BLUE GROWTH will promote regional capacity building in six less developed regions from four countries (Portugal – Azores, Center and North; Spain – Andalusia; Poland – Pomorskie; and Croatia), situated in four different macro-regions (Atlantic, Baltic, Mediterranean, and Adriatic), while exploring synergies and opportunities of collaboration with leading blue economy clusters across Europe.
The consortium is led by the National Innovation Agency (Portugal), and also includes Merinova Technology Centre (Finland), Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovation and Investments (Croatia), Aquaculture Technological Centre (Spain), Agrifood Clust-ER (Italy), Pole Mer Bretagne Atlantique (France), Regional Directorate of Science and Technology – Azores Regional Government (Portugal), Unknown Group (The Netherlands), Baltic Sea & Space Cluster (Poland), and BLUEBIO ALLIANCE (Portugal).
I3-4-BLUE GROWTH is a project funded by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA).
I3-4 Blue Growth in Action: Stakeholder's Voices
The I3-4-BLUE GROWTH project actively fosters knowledge transfer and interregional collaboration among Project Promoters and Technology Providers, driving interregional collaborations across Europe’s blue economy. Through stakeholder engagement, matchmaking activities and ecosystem visits, the project supports knowledge transfer between regions. In this video, stakeholders share their experiences, insights, and achievements, showcasing how collaboration and shared knowledge are shaping a smarter, more sustainable blue future.
Deliverables
News and Events
Ecosystem Visits: A Journey of Collaboration and Learning
The final roadshow visit of our ecosystem visits cycle, in 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁, marked the perfect conclusion to an inspiring series of exchanges with our partners in Finland, the Netherlands, and France. We are sincerely grateful to our partner, Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique, for their exceptional hospitality and well-crafted planning, which made this visit so enriching for the delegations from all participating countries: Portugal, Spain, Italy, Poland, The Netherlands, Finland and Croatia.
Workshops on Financing for Sustainable Blue Economy with BlueInvest
Exploring Financing & Investment Pathways for the Sustainable Blue Economy Over the past two days, we had the pleasure of hosting two joint workshops as part of the I3-4-BLUE GROWTH project, in collaboration with the #BlueInvest initiative.
I3-4-BLUE GROWTH project flies to Azores
Next week I3-4-BLUE GROWTH project will fly to Azores to join an initiative promoted by our partner, the Direção Regional da Ciência e Tecnologia, Governo dos Açores : 💡 S3 SUMMIT: Smart Specialisation Strategy (https://lnkd.in/dHFmgjQq).
The Dutch Blue Economy Innovation Roadshow
Part of the I3-4-BLUE GROWTH initiative, will be held next week in Rotterdam. The event aims to connect #projectpromoters and #technologyproviders to explore synergies in green innovation for blue growth. As part of the programme, we will host two key workshops, and we warmly invite all interested stakeholders who are unable to attend in person to join us online by registering: https://lnkd.in/dTqDPWvn
I3-4-BLUE GROWTH launches the series of Regional Policy Dialogue Roundtables
Today I3-4-BLUE GROWTH launched the series of Regional Policy Dialogue Roundtables with an inspiring session about harmonisation of legislation and regulations frameworks across countries at a European level.
I3-4-BLUE GROWTH still running at full speed to support green innovation for a blue growth.
Check out in I3-4-BLUE GROWTH's website all submitted deliverables where you can find insightful content.
I3-4-BLUE GROWTH | Business Matchmaking Sessions
I3-4-BLUE GROWTH promoted 2 intensive days for cross-country Business Matchmaking sessions between Project Promoters and Technology providers that applied to the previous open calls.
I3-4-BLUE GROWTH Capacity Building Program - Session 3
The session aimed to explore circular models in the blue economy sector and the enhancement of marine resources.
I3-4-BLUE Growth Aims to be an Impactful Project - Session 1
Through a tailored Capacity Building Programme, the project aims to enhance the capacities of startups/SMEs to build and reinforce innovative ecosystems to develop a sustainable and smart blue economy.
I3-4-BLUE GROWTH Open Innovation Programme Call | Open for Applications.
Looking for techproviders that can make their solutions available to unlock the potential green innovation for bluegrowth. Discover the challenges that you can support in this publication.
I3-4-BLUE GROWTH Project
The I3-4-BLUE GROWTH project is driven by a committed consortium working on leading blue economy innovation ecosystems.
Kick-off Meeting
Learn more about I3-4 BLUE GROWTH's kick off meeting, which happened in the Azores, Portugal, in January 2024.
I3-4-BLUE GROWTH next stop: Brest, France!
We are delighted to be welcomed by our partners at Pôle Mer Bretagne Atlantique for the 3rd ecosystem visit taking place from September 29 to October 1.
The I3-4-BLUE GROWTH Project Featured at the S3 SUMMIT: Smart Specialisation Strategy
The I3-4-BLUE GROWTH project was proudly highlighted during the S3 SUMMIT: Smart Specialisation Strategy, held on May 28 in Ponta Delgada, Azores.
Workshops on Financing & Investment Readiness
Join us for two interactive 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 designed to help #blueeconomy stakeholders, project promoters, technology providers, and S3 actors navigate financing opportunities and support their projects on investment readiness.
The Dutch Blue Economy Innovation Roadshow: Connecting Green Innovation for Blue Growth
Participants of the 𝗜3-4-𝗕𝗟𝗨𝗘 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗧𝗛 project had the opportunity to join an immersive journey connecting project promoters with cutting-edge technology providers from the Netherlands’ leading blue economy innovation ecosystem.
Science for Sea and Space conference
On April 9th, in Sopot, Poland, the Science for Sea and Space conference was held, organised by the Space Sciences Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences in cooperation with our partner Baltic Sea & Space Cluster and Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences under the honorary patronage of the POLSA Polska Agencja Kosmiczna | Polish Space Agency.
We continue to navigate the Regional Policy Dialogue Roundtables
Today an insightful session was hosted by Danijel Kanski on behalf HAMAG-BICRO - Croatian agency for SMEs, Innovations and Investments dedicated to maritime decarbonisation and renewable energy.
A triumphant end to the Regional Policy Dialogue Roundtables
Our last session was hosted by our dearest Vagner Pinto Morais (BGT Consulting Group - Business | Government | Technology) on behalf ANI | Agência Nacional de Inovação.
Regional Policy Dialogue Roundtables 25th, 26th and 27th March
Join our roundtable series to exchange knowledge and expertise at a European level to drive interregional innovation & investment projects in the blue economy sector.
I3-4-BLUE GROWTH project is moving at full speed supporting green energy for a blue growth.
On the 10th and 11th of December, the first planned ecosystem visit was hosted by Technology Centre Merinova Oy in Vaasa, Finland.
I3-4-BLUE GROWTH Capacity Building Program - Session 4
A session dedicated to Maritime renewables energies and decarbonization - regional growth challenges and opportunities.
I3-4-BLUE GROWTH Capacity Building Program - Session 2
A session dedicated to the importance of feasibility, business plans, and international partnership towards investment opportunities to scale-up and growth.
I3-4-Blue Growth project has launched The Hub for a Sustainable Blue Growth
Bringing together technology providers, public authorities, innovation clusters, and other blue economy stakeholders to support the technical, business and investment readiness advisory to startups/SMEs with innovative interregional innovation projects.
I3 Blue Economy Project Launch
Calling all SMEs working on: • sustainable seafood, aquaculture, and valorisation of blue resources; • maritime renewable energy and decarbonisation of the maritime sector; across less developed regions targeted by the project, namely from Spain, Poland, Croatia, and Portugal.
Project Partners
Learn more about the ten members of the consortium, spanning eight European countries.
I3-4-BLUE-GROWTH: Unlocking the potential of Sustainable Blue Economy
Project Duration: 2 years | December 2023 – December 2025
Contact person: Mariana Paupério | project@bluebioalliance.pt
The I3-4-BLUE GROWTH project is funded by the European Union under the Project Number 101133055.
