Developing a Joint Strategy for Fostering Sustainable Blue Economies in Cyprus and Croatia: The Work of the SeaTecHub project

Cyprus and Croatia, both Mediterranean nations, exhibit minimal geopolitical proximity and collaboration despite their shared dependence on the marine environment and maritime transport. Both countries are classified as EU Widening countries, with low participation rates in research and innovation activities. Eco-innovative maritime technologies have the potential to foster economic growth for Cyprus and Croatia in a sustainable way that will protect the countries' vulnerable marine environments while strengthening place-based innovation ecosystems and improving access to research and innovation opportunities through cross-border collaboration. This paper presents work that was implemented within the SeaTecHub project to engage quadruple helix stakeholders in the national ecosystems of Cyprus and Croatia to identify research and innovation gaps and needs and co-develop solutions that will form the basis of a joint strategy to foster eco-innovative technologies for healthy and productive seas. The study focused on five key sectors: (i) aquaculture and fisheries, (ii) smart ports, (iii) maritime security and protection, (iv) maritime technologies, and (v) research and education. Quadruple helix stakeholders, representing academia, industry, government, and civil society, participated in a structured process involving questionnaires and facilitated decision-support workshops utilizing the DeCyDe-4 method. This iterative approach aimed to refine identified research and innovation gaps/needs and develop collaborative solutions. The outcomes are used to develop a strategic orientation document aligned with the smart specialization strategies of Cyprus and Croatia, the European Green Deal and the European Commission's ambition for a Europe fit for the digital age. This collaborative strategy serves as a blueprint for fostering economic growth while safeguarding the vulnerable marine ecosystems of the two countries through the implementation of eco-innovative solutions.