Latest Regional Workshop Successfully Held at the University of Zadar
29/04/2026
The transition toward a greener and more digital maritime sector took a major step forward on April 28, 2026, as the University of Zadar successfully hosted a Regional workshop for the strategic project LEAP TO BLUE at its New Campus.
Gathering local entrepreneurs, scientists, and institutional representatives, the event focused on a single, vital goal: giving small and medium-sized enterprises the direct financial and technological boost they need to become more competitive and sustainable.
The absolute highlight of the workshop was the presentation of the upcoming voucher system, which is designed to help local coastal companies make a big environmental and technological leap. During the session, participants learned the key details of how this unique funding opportunity works, starting with the fact that businesses will be able to claim vouchers worth up to €18,000 to cover expert consulting, digital upgrades, and innovative solutions. Furthermore, the support is 100% free for small and medium enterprises because the project covers the full cost of the services, meaning there is absolutely no co-financing or financial burden required from the participating businesses.
To unlock these vouchers later this year, Croatian companies will simply apply in cooperation and partnership with a business partner from Italy. The Zadar event successfully served as the official "first step to the voucher," guiding attendees through the project's specialized service catalogue, the application steps, and the best ways to find the ideal cross-border partner using the project's network.
The workshop brought together a diverse group of key stakeholders who are essential to building a stronger Adriatic economy, including entrepreneurs working directly in the Blue Economy like maritime transport, tourism, fishing, and aquaculture, alongside scientists and consultants looking to offer their high-tech solutions. Local chambers of commerce, development agencies, and associations working to strengthen the blue sector also took part in the discussion. The valuable feedback and data gathered from the participants during this session will now be used to fine-tune the upcoming public calls, and maritime businesses are encouraged to keep a close eye on the official LEAP TO BLUE channels to catch the application launch and grab their opportunity to leap into a sustainable future.
