Blue Horizons: Trans-Mediterranean Cluster Collaboration for Innovation in Energy, Clean Tech, and Bioeconomy

Blue economy clusters play a pivotal role in driving innovation and strenghtening both the scientific and industrial landscape, driving growth and sustainability in the Mediterranean region in high priority sectors.
Following the triple helix model for innovation, Clusters serve as essential facilitators of technology transfer in sectors such as bioeconomy, energy, and clean tech by bridging the gap between academic research, industrial applications, and government policies. Given the great potential, promoting cooperation among clusters at a transnational level can maximise the development of sustainable technologies, enhance market competitiveness, and drive research commercialisation across borders.In this session, we will hear from key actors representing the triple helix model across Mediterranean countries, involving actors from northern and southern shore of the Mediterranean, emphasizing the importance of a collaborative approach to advancing innovation and sustainability in the energy, clean tech, and bioeconomy sectors, with the ultimate aim to highlight common priorities and explore new fields of cooperations.

Session Chairs

President/Vicepresident, Cluster Blue Italian Growth
Session chair from EU institutions e.g. DG Mare, CINEA (TBD)

Program

10.00 Introduction by the Chairs

10.10 Government policies and priorities towards transnational cluster cooperation
3 speakers from government of high institutional profile
(e.g. UfM, WestMed, Piano Mattei Steering committee etc.)

10.40 The role of clusters in academia-industry collaboration for innovation in bioeconomy, energy, and clean tech
3 speakers from clusters that foster connection and cooperation between research and industry in the mentioned sectors.

Preliminary interest collected from Emna Sohlobji, President of Tunisian maritime cluster
Other speakers are being contacted (e.g. Greece, Italy etc)

11.10 Clusters as enablers of Industrial Applications and Market Competitiveness in the Blue Economy   
3 speakers from industries and incubators that boost market competitiveness in the mentioned sectors.
Preliminary interest collected from Nesrine Ziad, Co-founder of Leancubator Algeria.
Other speakers are being contacted (e.g. Portugal etc)

11.40 Discussion and closure by the Chairs