The Public Call has been announced within the ABBA Project – Adriatic-Ionian Alliance for Sustainable Blue Economy for the Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (Project ID: IPA-ADRION00284), co-financed through the Interreg IPA ADRION Programme.

Through the public call, the ABBA project team will select 30 innovators who will have the opportunity to participate in capacity-building activities, as well as in transnational innovation initiatives. They will also receive support for the development of their innovative ideas.

The ABBA Public Call was announced on June 20, 2025, with the aim of identifying and supporting 30 early-stage deep-tech innovators from the Adriatic-Ionian region. Selected candidates will receive innovation support services as part of the ABBA project, which is co-financed by the Interreg IPA ADRION Programme.

Eligible candidates are:

• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs);
• Startups;
• Spin-offs;
• Research teams;
• Entrepreneurial teams;
• Researchers;
• Entrepreneurs.

Sectors of the blue economy:          

• Port activities;
• Maritime transport;
• Renewable marine energy;
• Sustainable aquaculture and fisheries;
• Shipbuilding;
• Shipbuilding and ship repair;
• Blue bio-economy and biotechnology.

ABBA challenges in focus:

Solutions should be focused on one or (at most two) of the following ABBA challenges:          

• Addressing sea level rise, extreme weather events, and coastal erosion caused by climate change;
• Promoting energy efficiency of the sea through renewable energy sources or alternative fuels;
• mproving circular economy practices in maritime and coastal industries;
• Combating overfishing and ensuring sustainable management of marine biodiversity;
• Supporting sustainable maritime spatial planning and environmental conservation;
• Promoting solutions for the digitalization and automation of ports and vessels to reduce emissions;
• Promoting network integration to overcome infrastructural shortcomings;
• Promoting green processes in shipbuilding and repair.

What will you receive?

Selected innovators will have the opportunity to:

• Enhance their capacities through tailored mentoring and diagnostics
• Improve their business and technological readiness with expert mentoring aimed at product development, market fit, and commercialization;
• Identify and connect with strategic partners beyond Montenegro’s borders for joint development and expansion;
• Participate in transnational open innovation activities, including matchmaking, networking, and co-designing research and development concepts;
• Strengthen their technical, commercial, legal, and financial skills relevant to innovation and technology transfer;
• Gain visibility and access to new markets through the ABBA ecosystem and its partners.

What do we need from you?

• Willingness to collaborate
• Time commitment
• Openness to innovation
• A motivated team

Key dates for the public call:

• Call announcement: June 20, 2025.
• Application deadline: July 21, 2025.
• Announcement of selected candidates: September 12, 2025.
• Service provision period: September 2025 – May 2026.          

How to apply

To apply, you must submit:

• Completed online application form in English (including the online Declaration of Honour)

• Optional pitch deck or supporting materials

Apply HERE

Detailed information is also available at the following links:

Application form

Applicant’s guide

For any questions, please contact us at: [email protected]