The Apulian Blue Economy compared to that of Molise, Albania and Montenegro was showcased in the final event of the Thematic Project SMART ADRIA Blue Growth, held on 14 November 2023 in Bari at the Pavilion 152 of the Puglia Region in Fiera del Levante. The event, organised by the Special Structure of Territorial Cooperation of Puglia Region, was a moment of sharing, with the Albanian, Montenegrin and Molise partners and their stakeholders, highlighting the important results achieved by the project in terms of capacity building and smart specialisation applied to the Blue Economy.
The institutional greetings of Puglia Region were conveyed by Mr. Giuseppe Rubino - Director of the Special Structure for Territorial Cooperation, and Mr. Crescenzo Antonio Marino - Managing Authority of the Interreg IPA CBC Italy-Albania-Montenegro Programme. Rubino wished that "the experience of SMART ADRIA can be showcased in Brussels as an example of successful marine cooperation, which we know to be more complex than terrestrial cooperation".
Marino reiterated this, noting that "the sea is both a unifying element and a physical barrier. Maritime cooperation projects should encompass the various aspects of the sea: aquaculture, coastal protection, healthy waters, fisheries, etc. Cooperation should facilitate interaction between incubators, industrial districts, businesses, research and universities. This allows territories to engage in shared and sustainable long-term growth".
Subsequently, two sessions were dedicated to the project: achievements, learnings, and prospects for future Adriatic cooperation. Particular attention was given to innovation vouchers utilised by the Montenegrin government, which proved to be a highly successful innovation tool. Rosanda Jocovic of the Ministry of Economic Development of Montenegro, the lead partner of the project, highlighted the establishment of a unique national cluster - Montenegrin REGROW: "This is a significant step towards establishing a sustainable and modern model for marine-related businesses, elevating this sector to a new level.”
Fabio Abbrescia, representing the Union of Chambers of Commerce of Puglia, presented the findings of a study on the Trend waves of the sea economy: "Initially, we analysed the blue economy scenario in Puglia, with 3,228 companies, including 774 in the food sector. We found that 4 out of 5 professionals in this sector require green skills, primarily among young adults aged 29 to 44. The most promising sectors are luxury shipbuilding and coastal tourism."
The partners then focused on the best practices developed within the SMART ADRIA project, covering research, aquaculture, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises and startups. Specifically, they highlighted the BLUE ECONOMY MAPPING STUDY, conducted by the Puglia Region, encompassing Puglia, Molise, Albania, and Montenegro, and the MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, containing policy recommendations to promote and strengthen future blue economy development, signed by Mr. Alessandro Delli Noci, Councillor for Economic Development.
Thoughts were also shared on new cooperation opportunities within the Blue Economy, where Puglia emerged once again as a leading model for partners, especially considering the recent Blue Strategy 2030 of the Region, guiding and linking strategic programmess on the Blue Economy and various funding sources, representing a multidisciplinary systemic approach: "blue thinking".
Mauro Novello - Coordinator of the Italy-Albania-Montenegro Joint Secretariat, concluded on the theme: "40% of the Programme budget is allocated to thematic projects such as SMART ADRIA. One of its strengths has been the partnership, and I hope that the same team can explore new opportunities for collaboration in the upcoming programming, possibly for the implementation and exchange of skills and knowledge acquired in recent years within the blue economy. Although the terms of the calls are yet to be defined and approved, we already know that great importance will be given to innovation."
The event closed with the acclaimed screening of the gastro-emotional video "Recipes of the Adriatic" ("Smart Recipes"), created with the support of the Regional Agency Pugliapromozione and involving four representative chefs from Albania, Montenegro, Molise, and, of course, Puglia. The event hosted Molise chef Nicola Vizzarri, one of the key figures in this culinary journey, focusing on mutual knowledge of gastronomy and Adriatic traditions related to fishing. The objective was to promote local fishery products and support sustainable fishing techniques.