25/02/2026
Druga teritorijalna radionica u sklopu projekta BLUNEW uspješno je održana 16. veljače u online formatu, okupivši predstavnike javnog sektora, gospodarstva, znanstvene zajednice i organizacija civilnog društva s ciljem daljnjeg razvoja transnacionalne mreže inovacija u području plavog gospodarstva.
Radionicu je organizirala Makarska razvojna agencija – MARA, koja u projektu sudjeluje kao hrvatski partner. Susret je poslužio kao nastavak teritorijalnih konzultacija s lokalnim dionicima, s naglaskom na oblikovanje buduće strukture suradnje na razini Jadransko-jonske regije.
Tijekom radionice sudionicima je predstavljen nacrt Manifesta i Memoranduma o razumijevanju buduće mreže, kao i mogući modeli upravljanja i uključivanja novih članova. Rasprava je bila usmjerena na očekivane koristi za lokalne dionike, ali i na izazove povezane s dugoročnom održivošću mreže.
Sudionici su naglasili važnost jasnog definiranja konkretnih koristi za lokalne aktere, poput pristupa međunarodnoj razmjeni znanja, većoj vidljivosti hrvatskih dionika plavog gospodarstva te mogućnostima sudjelovanja u pilot-projektima i budućim europskim pozivima.
Radionici su, među ostalima, prisustvovali predstavnici institucija i organizacija poput Institut Ruđer Bošković, Sveučilište u Zagrebu, udruge WWF Adria te lokalne akcijske skupine u ribarstvu FLAG Bura, kao i predstavnici malih poduzetnika i lokalnih razvojnih institucija.
Rasprava je pokazala spremnost dionika na daljnje uključivanje u proces, uz naglasak na potrebu za realnim očekivanjima, operativnim rezultatima i dugoročnim izvorima financiranja nakon završetka projekta.
Sljedeći koraci uključuju doradu dokumenata temeljem prikupljenih komentara te nastavak formalizacije mreže kroz međunarodnu suradnju partnera projekta. Paralelno se pripremaju aktivnosti koje će omogućiti pokretanje pilot-akcija i daljnje uključivanje lokalnih dionika.
Organizatori ističu kako je interes sudionika još jednom potvrdio da Hrvatska raspolaže snažnim potencijalom za razvoj održivog i inovativnog plavog gospodarstva kroz suradnju javnog sektora, poduzetnika, znanosti i civilnog društva.
Zahvaljujemo svim sudionicima na konstruktivnim raspravama, idejama i podršci razvoju plave ekonomije Makarske i šire regije.
Ovaj projekt je podržan iz Interreg IPA ADRION programa u okviru Interreg fondova (Europski fond za regionalni razvoj i IPA III)
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Second Territorial Workshop of the BLUNEW Project Held: Strengthening Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Blue Economy
The second territorial workshop within the framework of the BLUNEW project was successfully held on 16 February in an online format, bringing together representatives of the public sector, businesses, the scientific community, and civil society organizations with the aim of further developing a transnational innovation network in the field of the blue economy.
The workshop was organized by the Makarska razvojna agencija – MARA, which participates in the project as the Croatian partner. The meeting served as a continuation of national consultations with local stakeholders, with a focus on shaping the future structure of cooperation at the level of the Adriatic–Ionian region.
During the workshop, participants were presented with a draft manifesto and Memorandum of Understanding for the future network, as well as possible governance models and mechanisms for the inclusion of new members. The discussion focused on the expected benefits for local stakeholders, as well as on the challenges related to the long-term sustainability of the network.
Participants emphasized the importance of clearly defining tangible benefits for local actors, such as access to international knowledge exchange, greater visibility for Croatian blue economy stakeholders, and opportunities to participate in pilot projects and future European calls for proposals.
Among others, the workshop was attended by representatives of institutions and organizations such as the Institut Ruđer Bošković, the Sveučilište u Zagrebu, WWF Adria, and the fisheries local action group FLAG Bura, as well as representatives of small businesses and local development institutions.
The discussion demonstrated stakeholders’ readiness for further engagement in the process, with an emphasis on the need for realistic expectations, operational results, and long-term funding sources after the completion of the project.
The next steps include revising the documents based on the comments received and continuing the formalization of the network through international cooperation among project partners. At the same time, activities are being prepared to enable the launch of pilot actions and the further involvement of local stakeholders.
The organizers highlighted that the participants’ interest once again confirmed that Croatia has strong potential for the development of a sustainable and innovative blue economy through cooperation between the public sector, entrepreneurs, academia, and civil society.
We thank all participants for constructive discussions, ideas and support for the development of the blue economy of Makarska and the wider region.
This project is supported by the Interreg IPA ADRION program within the framework of Interreg funds (European Regional Development Fund and IPA III)
