From Projects to Lasting Impact: BEST4.0 Final Cross-Border Event Held in Šibenik
02/10/2026
On 1 October 2026, Šibenik hosted the final cross-border event of the BEST4.0 project, dedicated to what the Blue Economy needs in order to turn project results into lasting opportunities for businesses, skills and coastal communities.
The event took place at AZIMUT and gathered project partners, entrepreneurs, research and innovation organisations, local authorities and other Blue Economy stakeholders.
Participants heard how BEST4.0 supported Blue Economy SMEs in their digital transformation towards Industry 4.0, from assessing digital maturity through the TML index to tailored support delivered by project partners. The BEST4.0 Industry 4.0 Services Catalogue was presented together with the services offered by each partner, so that entrepreneurs know where to turn for support in the future, and the Cross-Border Digital Innovation Hub network was highlighted as a lasting result that will continue to serve SMEs after the project ends. The programme also featured the Interreg Italy-Croatia Programme, the SeaTecHub project and the CoE MARBLE Centre of Excellence in Maritime Robotics.
The panel discussion "From Projects to Lasting Impact: What Does the Future Blue Economy Need?" brought together business, science and local community perspectives, with Matija Bumbak (Dalmatia Sea Food), Nadir Kapetanović (CoE MARBLE), Marko Grubelić (Mayor of the Municipality of Tribunj) and Giulia Righetti (Naxta srl), moderated by Krešimir Kovač of DIH Agrifood Croatia. The discussion addressed SME needs, skills and knowledge transfer, coastal communities and local development, fisheries and traditional Blue Economy activities, opportunities for young people, and the digital and green transition.
