The Founding Assembly of the Digital Innovation HUB InnovaMare was held in Šibenik

A new centre for the development of innovative marine technologies for the transformation of the blue economy

The Digital Innovation HUB InnovaMare was founded today in Šibenik as a result of the implementation of the strategic InnovaMare project financed from the Interreg Italy-Croatia cross-border program, worth 5.6 million euros. The vision of DIH InnovaMare is to become a central place for technology transfer, strengthening cooperation and connecting stakeholders on a cross-border and transnational level from the public, private and scientific research sectors.

The goal is the development of innovative marine technologies that are key in the digital and green transformation of the blue economy. The establishment of DIH InnovaMare is supported by 16 organizations from Italy and Croatia, which also signed the Agreement on further cooperation on the development of the Innovamare innovation ecosystem, as well as on the establishment of DIH Innovamare, which is a unique example of sustainability and cooperation at the cross-border level.

The founders of DIH InnovaMare are the Croatian Chamber of Economy, Šibenik-Knin County, the Ruđer Bošković Institute and the University of Zadar. The founding assembly was led by the prefect of Šibenik-Knin County, Marko Jelić, who pointed out that the county decided to support this initiative and become one of the founders because DIH InnovaMare is a unique example of cooperation between different institutions in which the sectors of the blue economy will be further encouraged, but in a sustainable way in with which we will preserve the Adriatic Sea for future generations.

The vice-rector of the University of Zadar, Josip Faričić, emphasized that he sees his participation in DIH as an opportunity to be part of a community that will participate in activities in which they will create guidelines in an innovative and creative way and prepare for challenges in the sectors of the blue economy.

Tomislav Radoš, Vice President of the Chamber of Economy, Sector for Industry and Sustainable Development, addressed the audience and emphasized that DIH Innovamare is an excellent example of what the Chamber does – it supports and connects the scientific and research sector, the private sector and public bodies.

“CCE provided strong support for the establishment of DIH because we believe that this is the path towards a new strategy of the blue economy and because through the connection of all stakeholders we can provide additional value for the entire society,” said Radoš.

Marina Mlakar in front of the Ruđer Bošković Institute added that through participation in DIH activities, they see an opportunity for a big step forward in which they will enable researchers to share and improve their professional knowledge in different sectors of the blue economy.

The representatives of the University of Rijeka, Union Camere del Veneto, Apulia region agency for technology and innovation, National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics – OGS, Zadar County development agency Zadra nova and representatives of the private sector, companies Geomar, Platforma 22 and ACI Marina Skradin representatives also spoke about their role, as well as the advantages of DIH for their institution.

They agreed that this kind of initiative is an opportunity for everyone to improve existing and acquire new knowledge and develop projects.

The agreement on the establishment of DIH Innovamare was signed by 16 institutions from Croatia and Italy: Croatian Chamber of Economy, Šibenik-Knin County, Ruđer Bošković Institute, ARTI – Apulia region agency for technology and innovation, National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics – OGS, University of Dubrovnik, University of Trieste, University of Rijeka, Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Marine Science (CNR- ISMAR), Maritime Technology Cluster FVG, Regional Union of the Chambers of Commerce of Veneto Region, Communication Technology S.R.L., Geomar d.o.o. – Croatia, University of Zadar, Development & Innovation Center AluTech – Croatia, and Zadar County development agency Zadra nova.