The Science and Technology Park of Montenegro has started the implementation of the EU Interreg IPA ADRION project ABBA. The introductory meeting for the ABBA project consortium was held on October 3 and 4 in Greece on the island of Chios.

The ABBA project aims to support and improve the blue economy in the Adriatic-Ionian region (ADRION) through a competent partnership of key actors. Key steps include the establishment of the Adriatic-Ionian Alliance for a Sustainable Blue Economy and the establishment of six regional “Blue Excellence” centers in Greece, Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. These centers will focus on key sub-sectors of the blue economy, such as:

1. Port activities
2. Marine renewable energy
3. Maritime transport
4. Sustainable aquaculture and fisheries
5. Shipbuilding and repair
6. Blue bioeconomy and biotechnology

In addition, the project deals with the promotion of innovation through two innovation support solutions, which are aimed at strengthening innovation capacities at an early stage, with an emphasis on advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, nanotechnology, biotechnology, quantum computing and advanced materials.

As part of the project activities, the consortium will:

1. Test and validate innovative solutions to support small and medium enterprises, startups, and research teams.
2. Support the development and adoption of 30 deep-tech concepts, by promoting sustainable innovations in the blue economy.
3. Develop 12 proofs of concept through transnational open innovation, which will connect research capacities and enable the transition from research to practical solutions.

The ABBA project seeks to encourage transnational cooperation, increase capacities for research and innovation development, and contribute to the reduction of regional differences in the ADRION region. Also, this project contributes to strengthening macro-regional advantages in the domain of deep technology and their impact on blue growth, reflecting all these goals through regional and national S3 strategies.

Partners:

1. University of the Aegean – Research Unit – Dept. of Shipping, Trade and Transport (T.N.E.Y) Elláda (EL) (Lead partner) 
2. KiNNO INNOVATION INTERMEDIARIES LTD Elláda (EL)
3. Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Craft and Agriculture of Venice Rovigo Italia (IT)
4. Intermodal Transport Cluster Hrvatska (HR)
5. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PARK MONTENEGRO Crna Gora (ME)
6. AULEDA – Local Economic Development Agency, Vlora Region Shqipëria (AL)
7. Sarajevo Economic Region Development Agency SERDA Bosnia and Herzegovina (BA)

Associated Partners:

• Porti Detar Vlorë Sh.A (AL)
• STRATEGIS Maritime ICT Cluster (GR)T2I– Trasferimento tecnologico e innovazione scarl (IT)
• Ministry of Science and Technological Development of Montenegro (ME)
• Ministry of Transport of Sarajevo Canton (BiH)
• Zadar Port Authority (HR)

Total budget: 1.574.323,72€

Interreg Funds: 1.338.175,13€