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

RICONOSCIUTI 2 CREDITI FORMATIVI PROFESSIONALI PER L'ORDINE DEGLI INGEGNERI

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

Giorgio Ricci Maccarini, President National Technological Cluster BIG - Blue Italian Growth 
Luca Marangoni, Deputy Head of Unit for Sustainable Blue Economy, CINEA
Sara Tedesco, Senior Program Manager, National Technological Cluster BIG - Blue Italian Growth 

Program

10.00 Introduction
Giorgio Ricci Maccarini, President National Technological Cluster BIG - Blue Italian Growth 

10.10-10.40 Session 1 - Government policies and priorities towards transnational cluster cooperation
Chair:
Giorgio Ricci Maccarini, President National Technological Cluster BIG - Blue Italian Growth 

10.10-10.20 From today to tomorrow: opportunities for cluster development and cooperation
Luca Marangoni, Deputy Head of Unit for Sustainable Blue Economy, CINEA

10.20-10.30 UfM roadmap: cross-border cooperation in the Mediterranean
Alessandra Sensi, Head of Sector Environment, Green and Blue Economy, Union for the Mediterranean

10.30-10.40 Boosting cluster cooperation: the WestMED Clusters Alliance and perspectives of further development
Leonardo Manzari, National Hub Coordinator for Italy, WestMED Clusters Alliance

10.40-11.10 Session 2 - The role of clusters in academia-industry collaboration for innovation in bioeconomy, energy, and clean tech
Chair:
Luca Marangoni, Deputy Head of Unit for Sustainable Blue Economy, CINEA

10.40-10.50 Catalyzing Innovation in the Blue Economy through Clusters: Connecting Universities, Young and Industry around Clean Technologies — The Case of the Tunisian Maritime Cluster
Emna Sohlobji, Presidente Cluster Maritime Tunisian (CMT)

10.50-11.00 Advanced technology solutions through research-industry cooperation
Gregory Yovanof, Managing Director, Strategis Maritime Center of Excellence

11.00-11.10 Maritime Clusters: Bridging Innovation and Finance
Laurence Martin, General Secretary Federazione del Mare

11.10-11.40 Session 3 - Clusters as enablers of Industrial Applications and Market Competitiveness in the Blue Economy 
Chair:
Sara Tedesco, Senior Program Manager, National Technological Cluster BIG - Blue Italian Growth

11.10-11.20 Enabling clean technologies and sustainable practices in the blue economy market
Nesrine Ziad, Co-founder, Leancubator Algeria

11.20-11.30 Regional Alliance Platform to promote and support industrial processes
Lorella Ciuti, EU Project Manager Forum Oceano

11.30-11.40 Clusters Empowering Innovation: best practice in Blue Ecosystem project
Stefano Valentini, AR-TER S. cons. p. a. 

11.40 Discussion and closure by the Chairs