Transnational Residency Exchange Brings Italian Resident Mia Fiorencis to Zadar County (Croatia) | INOVAcija
09/06/2026
From 25 to 27 May 2026, the IN4BLUE project held a Transnational Residency Exchange in Zadar, Croatia, welcoming Mia Fiorencis, the resident from Italy, for three days of collaborative activities and stakeholder engagement. Hosted by INOVAcija, the programme provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen cross-border cooperation and promote innovation in the blue economy.
The exchange began with introductory meetings and structured working sessions with business mentors, focusing on project development, knowledge sharing and the exploration of innovative and sustainable solutions. Throughout the residency, participants discussed the IN4BLUE business plan and exchanged experiences related to entrepreneurship and regional development.
A series of visits offered participants direct insights into the Croatian blue economy ecosystem. At the Port of Gaženica, discussions highlighted the Krie x Provir collaboration, an initiative combining circular economy principles, sustainable fashion and marine environmental protection through the recycling of discarded fishing nets into ECONYL® textile fibre and the creation of new sustainable products.
The programme also explored the role of Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) in local development through visits to the Croatian National Theatre in Zadar and the SOCRAT exhibition, showcasing how culture, heritage and creativity contribute to community resilience and economic growth.
Additional activities included a guided tour of Zadar’s cultural and creative ecosystem and a boat trip around the Zadar islands and the island of Preko. These experiences provided a unique perspective on maritime heritage, island communities, sustainable tourism and the potential of coastal resources to support innovative blue economy initiatives.
The exchange further strengthened cooperation between Italian and Croatian partners and reaffirmed the importance of transnational learning and collaboration in promoting sustainable and innovative solutions for the blue economy.
