BLUECONNECT presented results and next steps in Kotor

More than 100 people from research, academia, business and public institutions came together in Kotor for the BLUECONNECT final conference at the end of September, highlighting what cross-border cooperation can achieve when knowledge, innovation and practical solutions meet.
Bringing together participants from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, the event showcased the results of a project focused on turning regional potential into opportunities for the blue economy.

At the heart of BLUECONNECT is a new cooperation infrastructure: the Blue Growth Digital Collaboration Platform, supported by three specialised centres for aquaculture, fisheries and freshwater fish processing. Together, they connect research and practice, creating opportunities for knowledge transfer, skills development, innovation and stronger value chains.
The conference also presented regional Blue Growth and market analyses, as well as a pilot study on monitoring early life stages of fish and shellfish, demonstrating how research can support more sustainable use of marine resources.

But the end of the project is also a starting point. The South Adriatic Blue Growth Cluster and newly signed cooperation agreements will help maintain and expand the connections built through BLUECONNECT.
The message from Kotor was clear: regional cooperation does not have to end with a project. It can become the foundation for lasting partnerships and a more connected, innovative and sustainable Adriatic blue economy.