Awareness event: "LEAP TO BLUE" presented at the University of Zadar
04/12/2025
The primary objective of the project is to establish an innovative "3D support model" for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This framework will include a dedicated voucher system designed to grant businesses direct access to targeted professional support tailored to their specific digital and ecological needs. Over the course of the project, "LEAP TO BLUE" aims to empower more than 150 SMEs, helping them adopt advanced practices, achieve sustainable growth, create new jobs, and actively contribute to the green transition.
The total value of the project exceeds €6 million, with a significant budget allocation of €1.4 million dedicated specifically to the University of Zadar's activities.
During his welcoming speech, the Rector of the University of Zadar, Prof. Josip Faričić, PhD, emphasized the profound cross-border and environmental value of the initiative:
"This project is important in many ways. First and foremost, I would like to highlight the collaboration between Croatia and Italy regarding a crucial subject—the Adriatic Sea. It is a sea that connects us, a space of diverse historical contacts, a medium of communication, and a vital resource for social and economic development. In this context, we must treat the Adriatic as a shared, unifying space that is both a sensitive marine ecosystem and a crucial resource for livelihoods and commercial activity. Therefore, it must be preserved with the utmost care through the active application of sustainability principles. To achieve this, it is essential to connect academia, the public sector, and the economy, protecting the natural and cultural heritage of the Adriatic regions through an integrated approach to ensure a high-quality future for our sea."
The operational activities and the practical mechanics of the voucher system were presented in detail by the Project Manager, Assoc. Prof. Ana Gundić, PhD. She revealed that SMEs can receive individual financial support up to €18,000 through the project, which increases to €36,000 for initiatives involving cross-border cooperation.
Following the main presentation, the event concluded with a round-table discussion focused on technology transfer and joint innovation strategies for the Adriatic region.
