Awareness event on digital and green transition through voucher scheme

As part of the LEAP TO BLUE – Unleash the Potential for Joint Transition in the Blue Economy project, an Awareness event on digital and green transition through voucher scheme will take place on 4 December 2025 at 9:30 a.m. in Zadar, organized by the project coordinator, the University of Zadar.

About the Project

The LEAP TO BLUE project addresses the key need for innovation and skills development within the Italian and Croatian blue economy. Its main objective is to strengthen the capacities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in key blue economy sectors through enhanced cross-border cooperation.

The project aims to support more than 160 SMEs in adopting innovative processes and technologies, fostering sustainable growth, and creating new jobs. The expected outcome is a stronger and more resilient blue economy, capable of providing adequate responses to current and future environmental and economic challenges.

The 3D Support Model

To drive this transformation, the project applies an innovative “3D Support Model” combining:

• Capacity building through targeted workshops that strengthen digital and green skills,
• Networking and matchmaking events promoting cross-border partnerships, and
• A voucher system that enables SMEs to access specialized services for growth and market expansion.

Key Facts

• Total project budget: EUR 6,107,240
• Implementation period: 1 July 2025 – 30 June 2028

Project Partners

The project brings together six main partners from both sides of the Adriatic:

• University of Zadar (UNIZD)
• Regional Agency for Technology, Transfer, and Innovation (ARTI), Italy
• Regional Union of Chambers of Commerce of Veneto (UCV), Italy
• University of Trieste (UNITS), Italy
• University of Zagreb, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (FER), Croatia
• Croatian Chamber of Economy (HGK), Croatia

About the Event

The Awareness event on digital and green transition through voucher scheme is large-scale, public facing awareness-raising event will introduce the LEAP TO BLUE project to a broader audience of SMEs, stakeholders, and policymakers. It will present the project’s goals, service offer, voucher implementation process, and key highlights, along with announcements of upcoming regional and partner workshops.

Interested participants are invited to register for the event by completing the application form available below. The registration deadline is 1 December 2025.

Participants will have the opportunity to take part in panel discussions covering topics such as innovation, sustainability, technology transfer, and internationalization.

This event will serve as an inspiration and motivation for SMEs, showcasing the project’s potential to create new opportunities for growth and to strengthen resilience within the blue economy.

The event programme is available [HERE].

The LEAP TO BLUE project is co-financed by the Interreg Italy–Croatia Programme.