IN4BLUE: TECNOPOLIS Hosts "Creative Dialogue" to Drive Blue Economy Innovation in Puglia
17/04/2026
On April 16, 2026, TECNOPOLIS hosted the Creative Dialogue workshop, a strategic online event organized as part of the IN4BLUE project, co-funded by the Interreg Italy-Croatia cooperation program.
Presented by Anna Ressa, the IN4BLUE project aims to modernize SMEs within the Blue Economy by positioning Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) as "solution designers." A defining feature of the project is its approach to the ecological and economic transition: it is viewed not merely as a technical shift, but as a profound social and cultural evolution.
Collaborative Problem Framing
The Creative Dialogue served as a collaborative platform for regional stakeholders to analyze the Blue Economy’s most pressing challenges in Puglia and identify new synergies between maritime organizations and creative enterprises.
The event utilized a participatory "Problem Framing" methodology. Guided by facilitators Viviana Neglia and Alessandra Dalena, participants took an active role in defining core issues, analyzing the regional context, mapping key stakeholders, and evaluating potential impacts.
Puglia and the Sea: Identity and Economy
The heart of the workshop, introduced by Davide De Nicolò, explored Puglia’s intrinsic link to the sea. The Blue Economy is a cornerstone of the region, accounting for approximately 5% of the regional economy with 16,000 active businesses. Beyond the numbers, the sea serves as both a cultural identity and a vital territorial infrastructure.
Within the IN4BLUE framework, Tecnopolis has prioritized two interconnected challenges:
- Sustainable Resource Management and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Our waters face increasing pressure from intensive tourism, overfishing, and climate change. The working group explored how to shift the perception of environmental protection—moving from seeing it as a restrictive "burden" to recognizing it as a primary driver for sustainable development.
- Coastal Access through Water Sports: Despite 800 km of high-quality coastline, Puglia faces a paradox: massive potential but low actual accessibility. Due to inadequate infrastructure and a lingering "elitist" perception of water sports, the sea is often "watched rather than lived." The goal is to transform the sea from a simple commodity into a space for community engagement and active relationship.
The Path Forward: From Dialogue to Co-Creation
The overarching theme of the workshop was the delicate balance between maritime protection and public enjoyment. The consensus reached is that Puglia requires a systemic and collaborative coastal governance model that integrates conservation with development.
The next milestone for the IN4BLUE project is the Co-Creation workshop, scheduled for May 14 (in person). This event will bring together creative industries, traditional Blue Economy SMEs, researchers, and tech experts to design innovative business models.
These resulting business concepts will be validated and implemented within the services offered by both CCIs and Blue Economy SMEs, with the potential to scale across regional and transnational borders.
Key Takeaways
The Goal: Bridging the gap between the creative sector and the maritime economy. The Strategy: Using "Problem Framing" to turn environmental constraints into economic opportunities. Next Step: Co-Creation Workshop on May 14, 2026.
