Venice Regional Workshop Unlocks Cross-Border Potential for the Adriatic Blue Economy
11/03/2026
Regional Workshop for the strategic project LEAP TO BLUE was held on March 11th 2026 in Venice. As one of only six highly selective strategic projects funded under the Programme, LEAP TO BLUE carries a distinct institutional mandate. Rather than focusing solely on isolated local activities, the project aims to actively reshape regional policies and foster an integrated economic ecosystem between Italy and Croatia.
The 3D Support Model & Innovative €18k Voucher Scheme
At the core of the workshop was the introduction of the project’s "3D model of support"—built on Capacity Building, Matchmaking, and a highly anticipated Voucher Scheme. Roberta Lazzari (Unioncamere del Veneto) detailed the technical framework of the non-financial support mechanism, which will deliver high-value-added specialized consulting directly to businesses:
Vouchers will cover services worth up to €18,000 per SME (and up to €36,000 for cross-border partnerships), completely removing administrative and financial burdens for participating enterprises. The service catalogue spans Innovation & Technology Transfer (e.g., marine robotics, green propulsion), Human Capital Development (upskilling, cybersecurity), and Internationalization.
SMEs were also introduced to MAIROS platform- central digital hub designed for stakeholder mapping, partner identification, and streamlined application submissions.
Bridging the "Adriatic Gap"
Keynote expert Viola Orsetta Paladini urged stakeholders to view the Adriatic not as a collection of fragmented local ports, but as a single, interconnected maritime district. Highlighting the natural synergy between Italy (a global leader in shipbuilding) and Croatia (a frontrunner in aquaculture and nautical services), Paladini emphasized the power of a unified "Macro-destination" brand to compete with Northern Europe and Asia.
Voice of the Industry: Stakeholder Perspectives
An open dialogue session brought critical field perspectives to light, with industry representatives advocating for actionable solutions.
Participants raised urgent concerns regarding the "generational drain" in maritime professions and called for technological solutions to tackle environmental challenges, such as managing invasive species like the Blue Crab through innovative processing value chains. Stakeholders pushed for the integration of offshore wind energy and "cold ironing" (shore-to-ship power) within the upcoming voucher services.
Next Steps and Milestones
The insights gathered during this workshop will directly shape the upcoming Voucher Scheme documentation, ensuring all interventions mirror real market demands. The project partners invite all regional maritime SMEs to participate in the ongoing digital Needs Assessment survey to help fine-tune the final service catalogue.
