JemsALIEN2VALUE
Priority Axis 2: Green investments in environmental protection and efficient risk management
Operation start date: 1 July 2026
Operation completion date: 30 June 2028
Budget: EUR 1.147.129,80
Number of partners: 5
Operation purpose and expected achievements:
The ALIEN2VALUE project aims to promote the transition to a circular and resource-efficient economy by transforming invasive alien marine species into valuable products while supporting sustainable coastal development in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. The project addresses the environmental and economic challenges caused by the uncontrolled spread of the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus), which negatively affects marine biodiversity and local fisheries, by establishing a zero-waste circular value chain for its sustainable utilisation. Key activities include the establishment of a sorting, processing, and packaging station in Ploče, a laboratory facility in Mostar, development of food and pharmaceutical applications through culinary research and extraction of bioactive compounds, and pilot implementation of the complete value chain under real operating conditions. Through training programmes for fishers, chefs, and students, procurement of selective fishing equipment, cross-border monitoring, and awareness campaigns, the project will strengthen local capacities and create new economic opportunities. By connecting fisheries, research institutions, processing sectors, gastronomy, and local communities, ALIEN2VALUE will deliver a transferable circular economy model that supports biodiversity protection, sustainable fisheries, and resilient coastal communities across the Programme area.
Beneficiaries:
The Lead Partner (LP), City of Ploče (HR), is responsible for the overall coordination and management of the project. It oversees project implementation, financial and administrative management, partner coordination, reporting, and quality assurance. The city leads the establishment of the cross-border zero-waste value chain for alien marine species, coordinates pilot implementation, supervises the development of the sorting, processing and packaging facility, and ensures the long-term sustainability and transferability of project results across the Programme area.
Fisheries Local Action Group “Small Town” (HR) is responsible for strengthening cooperation with the fisheries sector and promoting the sustainable utilisation of alien marine species. It coordinates capacity-building activities for professional fishermen, organises training programmes and stakeholder engagement activities, supports the development of market-oriented value chains, and contributes to the promotion of innovative circular economy solutions within the fisheries and gastronomy sectors.
University of Mostar, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Technology (BA) provides scientific and technical expertise in food technology, circular economy, and sustainable biomass valorisation. It contributes to the development of the zero-waste processing model, leads the development of innovative technologies for processing marine biomass into value-added products, coordinates project communication and dissemination activities, develops promotional materials and the joint cookbook, organises public awareness events, and supports knowledge transfer and capacity building across the Programme area.
University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture (HR) is responsible for developing innovative technological solutions for the processing and valorisation of alien marine species. It leads the design of the Alien Marine Species Biomass Sorting, Processing and Packaging Station, develops processing protocols and technologies for transforming marine biomass into high-value ingredients, supports pilot implementation and technology transfer, and contributes to scientific research, training activities, and the validation of project results.
Public Institution University of Montenegro – Institute of Marine Biology (ME) provides scientific expertise in marine biodiversity, sustainable fisheries, and blue economy development. It supports the establishment of the cross-border zero-waste value chain, participates in research, monitoring and validation activities, contributes to the development of guidelines and joint monitoring systems for alien marine species, organises knowledge-transfer and training activities in Montenegro, and promotes the long-term replication of project results and circular economy practices across the Programme area.
