Italia-Croatia

Blue Economy SMEs Towards Industry 4.0

To enhance the competitiveness and innovation capacity of SMEs operating in the Blue Economy sectors, the project developed a joint cross-border methodology for assessing Industry 4.0 readiness, identifying technological needs and supporting the adoption of digital innovation.

Through a collaborative approach, partners assessed SMEs, developed a Technology Maturity Level (TML) Index and strengthened cooperation between research organisations, innovation centres and businesses.

These are the final Outputs achieved:

1. Developed and implemented a joint cross-border methodology for mapping and assessing the Industry 4.0 needs of 160 Blue Economy SMEs across the programme area.
2. Created and applied a Technology Maturity Level (TML) index to evaluate SMEs' digital readiness and technological maturity.
3. Produced SME Check-up Reports and a cross-border mapping report, clustering SMEs according to their Industry 4.0 innovation needs.

Cross-Border Development of Assessment Tools

Cross-border definition of tools for the desk analysis and mapping

Cross-Border SME Mapping

Cross-Border Analysis of Industry 4.0 Needs

Technology Maturity Level (TML) Index

Development and Application of the TML Index for Blue Economy SMEs

Digital Innovation Hubs Network in Action

To ensure a coordinated and sustainable digital transformation of Blue Economy SMEs across the Italy–Croatia cooperation area, the project partnership established a Cross-Border Digital Innovation Hubs (DIH) Network, jointly shaping a shared Industry 4.0 service offer and aligning it with regional innovation policies.

Partners mapped their infrastructures, laboratories and competences harmonised their service offer into a consolidated I4.0 Service Catalogue, and connected it to the Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) of the participating regions. This process resulted in a structured framework guiding both the operational testing of services with SMEs and their long-term integration into regional and cross-border innovation policy.

These are the final Outputs achieved:

1. Developed and validated a joint cross-border I4.0 Service Catalogue, structured into three macro-areas (Business Improvement Services, Industry 4.0 Application Services, and Capacity Building Services) mapping partners' infrastructures, laboratories and competences.
2. Defined an Action Plan setting out the operational roadmap and procedures for testing the Service Catalogue with up to 80 Blue Economy SMEs during WP3.
3. Produced a Cross-Border Orientation Plan, aligning the I4.0 service offer with regional Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) and providing strategic and policy recommendations for the long-term sustainability of the Cross-Border DIH Network.

I4.0 Service Catalogue for SMEs

A consolidated catalogue of Industry 4.0 services jointly developed by the BEST4.0 partnership

Action Plan for Testing the I4.0 Service Catalogue

To support Blue Economy SMEs in adopting Industry 4.0 solutions, the project partnership jointly mapped its infrastructures, laboratories and competences

Cross-Border Orientation Plan

The Cross-Border Orientation Plan aligns I4.0 Service Catalogue with the regional Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) of the participating regions, providing strategic guidance and policy recommendations.