LEAP TO BLUE Project Officially Launched in Zadar, Croatia
12/10/2026
On 15 and 16 July 2025, the LEAP TO BLUE project officially kicked off in Zadar, Croatia, bringing together project partners from Italy and Croatia to launch a joint initiative aimed at fostering innovation, sustainability, and competitiveness in the Adriatic blue economy.
The two-day event, hosted by the University of Zadar, the project's Lead Partner, included the first partnership meeting and an official press conference, marking the beginning of a collaborative journey towards a smarter, greener, and more sustainable Adriatic region.
Building a Strong Foundation for Cross-Border Cooperation
The first day was dedicated to the project Kick-off Meeting, during which partners discussed the project's objectives, planned activities, implementation timeline, and management procedures.
Representatives of the Interreg Italy-Croatia Programme's Joint Secretariat provided recommendations to support effective project implementation, while partners reviewed the upcoming activities and established a common understanding of their responsibilities and expected results.
Particular attention was given to the project's innovative approach to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the blue economy, including the development of digital tools, capacity-building activities, and a dedicated voucher scheme.
Presenting LEAP TO BLUE to the Public
On 16 July, the project was officially presented to the public during a press conference held at the University of Zadar's new Student Dormitory.
The event brought together representatives of partner institutions, academia, and the media to highlight the project's vision and expected impact on the Adriatic region.
During the press conference, Prof. Josip Faričić, Rector of the University of Zadar, emphasised the importance of balancing economic development in sectors such as fisheries and tourism with the protection of the Adriatic Sea's fragile ecosystem.
Prof. Božena Krce Miočić presented the project's innovative three-dimensional support model, built around three complementary pillars:
- Capacity Building, strengthening the digital and green skills of SMEs.
- Matchmaking, facilitating cooperation and connecting businesses with relevant stakeholders and opportunities.
- Voucher Scheme, providing targeted support to SMEs in their digital and green transition.
Representatives of the Italian and Croatian project partners also highlighted the importance of cross-border cooperation, knowledge exchange, and innovation in addressing shared challenges and unlocking new opportunities within the blue economy.
Supporting 162 SMEs Across the Adriatic Region
Through its activities, LEAP TO BLUE aims to support 162 SMEs in strengthening their competitiveness, accelerating digital and green transformation, and embracing sustainable business practices.
By connecting businesses, research institutions, and innovation stakeholders across Italy and Croatia, the project seeks to create lasting synergies and contribute to the sustainable development of the Adriatic blue economy.
The successful Kick-off Meeting and press conference laid the foundation for effective cooperation among the six project partners and established a shared vision for the project's implementation until June 2028.
LEAP TO BLUE is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg Italy-Croatia Programme 2021–2027.