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

 85  113SI 85-89Journal of Coastal Research Charlotte, North Carolina 2024 ____________________ DOI: 10.2112/JCR-SI113-017.1 received 23 June 2024; accepted in revision 18 July 2024. *Corresponding author: [email protected] © Coastal Education and Research Foundation, Inc. 2024  Developing a Joint Strategy for Fostering Sustainable Blue Economies in Cyprus and Croatia: The Work of the SeaTecHub project Xenia I. Loizidou †* , Demetra L. Orthodoxou † , Ivana Bujas Rupić ‡ , and George Kassinis § ABSTRACT Loizidou, X.I.; Orthodoxou, D.L., Rupić, I.B., and Kassinis, G., 2024. Developing a joint strategy for fostering sustainable blue economies in Cyprus and Croatia: The work of the SeaTecHub project. In: Phillips, M.R.; AlNaemi, S., and Duarte, C.M. (eds.), Coastlines under Global Change: Proceedings from the International Coastal Symposium (ICS) 2024 (Doha, Qatar). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 113, pp. 85-89. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. 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. Ecoinnovative 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 placebased innovation ecosystems and improving access to research and innovation opportunities through crossborder 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 ecoinnovative 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. ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS: Blue growth, participation, decision-making, research and innovation. INTRODUCTION The blue economy is important for Europe because it plays a crucial role in the region's economic and environmental sustainability. The European Union (EU) has recognized the blue economy as fundamental to achieving key objectives like the European Green Deal and other environmental targets (European Commission, 2021). By focusing on sustainable practices in sectors such as offshore renewable energy, maritime transport decarbonization, and green infrastructure development, the blue economy contributes to climate change mitigation and circular economy principles (European Commission, 2020). The EU's new approach to a sustainable blue economy emphasizes coherence across sectors, investment in research and innovation, and the preservation of marine ecosystems. This strategic focus not only aligns with the EU's environmental and climate goals but also fosters economic growth and job creation, promotes social inclusion and ensures the long-term health of Europe's oceans and coastal areas (European Commission, 2021). The blue economy is particularly important for the economies of Cyprus and Croatia. According to the EU Blue Economy Report 2021, its contribution to Cyprus' GDP was around 6% in 2018, which is above the EU average, whereas Croatia's blue economy contributed around 3% to its GDP in that same year (European Union, 2021). Similarly, the blue economy provided approximately 12% and 5% of total employment in Cyprus and Croatia respectively (European Union, 2021). The blue economy is expected to continue its upward trend in the coming years (OECD, 2023), and the blue economies of Croatia and Cyprus are expected to continue to grow. However, environmental threats such as pollution, overfishing and climate change can hinder this growth and lead to significant economic and social impacts in both countries. Eco-innovative maritime technologies can help reduce the blue economy’s environmental footprint and foster sustainable economic growth. The SeaTecHub project, funded through the EU, aims to strengthen the innovation ecosystems of both countries by fostering excellence and encouraging cross-border collaboration in eco-innovative technologies for healthy and productive seas. † AKTI Project and Research Centre Nicosia 2113, Cyprus www.cerf-jcr.org www.JCRonline.org ‡ DIH Agrifood Croatia Šibenik 22000, Croatia § Department of Business and Public Administration University of Cyprus Nicosia 2109, Cyprus Downloaded from https://jcr.kglmeridian.com at 2025-12-04 via free access Loizidou et al. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 113, 2024 86 Aligned with the countries' smart specialization strategies, the project aims to enhance Croatia’s and Cyprus’s research and innovation capabilities across the key blue economy sectors of aquaculture and fisheries, smart ports, maritime security, research and education, and maritime technologies. This will be achieved through the development of a joint strategy and common action and investment plans that will leverage emerging digitalization strategies and promote research and innovation activities focusing on eco-innovative maritime technologies. The project will also implement pilots and demonstrators to showcase some of the aforementioned technologies that are aligned with the needs of both ecosystems. In so doing, SeaTecHub will lead to both economic growth and environmental sustainability by fostering cross-border collaboration between the two countries’ place-based ecosystems. 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 on the fostering of eco-innovative technologies for healthy and productive seas. The work it presents marks the first step in further cross-border innovation ecosystem cooperation. METHODS This study engaged stakeholders from Cyprus and Croatia through participatory processes to identify blue economy research and innovation gaps and needs and to devise measures to address them. The participatory approach was implemented in two phases. Initially, stakeholders' perspectives on research and innovation gaps and needs within their respective countries and sectors were recorded via an online questionnaire. This questionnaire aimed to validate and expand upon a preliminary list of gaps and needs identified through the SeaTecHub project partnership, involving representatives from the quadruple helix. The second stage involved the implementation of national participatory workshops with stakeholders embedded within the blue economy ecosystems of Cyprus and Croatia. The selection criteria for workshop participants were: (i) representation of significant organizations within the blue economy sectors addressed by the project; (ii) possession of a comprehensive understanding of both current industry/sector dynamics and future projections/goals; and (iii) the capacity to propose and support solutions and decisions at a high level. Two workshops were conducted, one in Cyprus and one in Croatia. During these workshops, stakeholders worked in groups, with each group focusing on one of the five blue economy sectors outlined in the project. Within these working groups, stakeholders finalized their sector’s gaps and needs across four categories: infrastructure, human capital, collaboration, and financial. They then ranked them based on their perceived importance and urgency and identified solutions to address the top two priorities per category. The solutions were carefully chosen to be both feasible (in economic, technical, and social terms) and effective in advancing research and innovation toward an eco-innovative and sustainable blue economy. RESULTS Nearly 100 stakeholders participated in the two national workshops that were implemented in Cyprus and Croatia, in February and April 2024, respectively. These stakeholders carried out a situational analysis and identified both macro and micro gaps and needs. Some gaps/needs were common between the two ecosystems, whereas others were unique or more important for one ecosystem. Participants also proposed solutions to address the top needs in each sector. Aquaculture and Fisheries Gaps and Needs Infrastructure needs in Cyprus focus on modernizing aquaculture farms, whereas in Croatia, collaboration between governmental departments and fishers is emphasized for fisheries development. Both countries recognize the importance of better connecting and optimizing existing infrastructures and resources. Human capital development highlights the need to address challenges such as the aging population of fishermen in Cyprus and the provision of targeted training programs in contemporary aquaculture practices and sustainable fisheries management in Croatia. Collaboration between industry and educational institutions is vital in both countries to develop relevant curricula and training programs. Stakeholders from both Cyprus and Croatia emphasize the need for establishing collaboration platforms to facilitate dialogue among stakeholders and raise public awareness about the sector's significance. In the case of Croatia, participants point out the challenge of overcoming administrative barriers that deter the formation of industry partnerships. Financially, Cyprus must strengthen collaboration between tourism and fisheries/aquaculture to drive economic growth and provide timely and tailored grants and funding schemes to industry actors. Croatia should prioritize simplified procedures for accessing public funding and encourage more industry investments in research and innovation. Smart Ports Gaps and Needs In the Smart Ports sector, Cyprus and Croatia should prioritize eco-friendly infrastructure and enhanced data capabilities while addressing specific human capital, collaboration, and financial needs within each country's context. Cyprus and Croatia should focus on developing more sustainable and environmentally friendly port infrastructure. Cyprus specifically should aim to enhance data capabilities for monitoring smart port areas, while Croatia should emphasize extending monitoring systems to cover the entire blue economy. Human capital development needs identified include international best practice exchange programs in Cyprus and specialized training programs for smart port technologies in both countries. Croatia should collaborate with educational institutions to align curricula with smart port needs. Both countries’ stakeholders emphasize the importance of clarity in government responsibilities regarding environmental monitoring and safety, alongside establishing inclusive platforms for knowledge sharing and collaboration among stakeholders. Cyprus should allocate funds to promote itself as a maritime hub, prioritize ports and marinas as critical infrastructure Downloaded from https://jcr.kglmeridian.com at 2025-12-04 via free access Fostering Sustainable Blue Economies in Cyprus and Croatia: The Work of the SeaTecHub project _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 113, 2024 87 projects, and seek government investments and EU funds for smart port development. Croatia should identify supplementary funding sources for innovative port projects alongside public funding initiatives. Overall, Cyprus and Croatia should demonstrate a commitment to advancing smart ports through sustainable infrastructure, enhanced data capabilities, human capital development, collaboration, and targeted financial support, while addressing unique challenges and opportunities within their respective contexts. Maritime Security and Protection Gaps and Needs In the maritime security and protection sector, both Cypriot and Croatian stakeholders prioritize investing in infrastructure and equipment for efficient marine monitoring while addressing specific needs tailored to each country's context. They jointly emphasize the importance of investing in technology and infrastructure to meet evolving security challenges and promote collaboration with international partners for knowledge exchange. Cyprus should seek to develop a flexible centralized data processing system, leverage blockchain technology for data gathering, and advocate for the establishment of a national Coast Guard to enforce maritime security laws. Training programs to keep the workforce updated and evaluate crisis management strategies should also be implemented. Croatia should focus on addressing skill gaps in cybersecurity and environmental safety and enhancing collaboration between public bodies and private maritime companies. It should aim to strengthen public-private collaboration and explore synergies within the sector. Croatian stakeholders also stress the importance of securing financial resources to upgrade existing programs and equipment, as well as supporting new innovative entrepreneurs, particularly those facing high risks. Both countries should aim to minimize administrative barriers to accessing public funding and ensure investments are directed towards projects with significant potential impact. Overall, while Cyprus and Croatia share some priorities in the maritime security and protection sector, such as infrastructure investment and collaboration, they also have distinct needs reflecting their individual challenges and contexts. Maritime Technologies Gaps and Needs In the Maritime Technologies sector, Cyprus and Croatia should prioritize enhancing infrastructure and regulatory frameworks while addressing specific needs tailored to their contexts. Both countries should aim to consolidate existing infrastructure and equipment for industry and public use, while Cyprus should focus on revising regulations to facilitate the adoption of advanced technology and ensure environmental compliance. Croatia should focus on establishing a central stakeholder database to streamline collaboration efforts. Cypriot stakeholders identify a lack of incentives to attract talent in maritime technologies and advocate for collaboration between educational institutions and industry to align curricula. Meanwhile, Croatian stakeholders emphasize the need for earlystage researcher training for entrepreneurship and for creating mechanisms for knowledge transfer among entrepreneurs. Both nations’ stakeholders highlight the importance of collaboration between regulatory bodies to develop robust regulations and mechanisms for identifying and addressing entrepreneurs' needs through research and innovation projects. Additionally, promoting collaboration between public and private sectors is crucial for Croatia. Efforts to expedite grant decision processes and increase transparency in evaluation processes are shared priorities for both Cyprus and Croatia. Cypriot stakeholders propose the establishment of a transportation-focused bank, drawing inspiration from examples in Hamburg and London, while Croatian stakeholders emphasize the need for a more transparent process for announcing calls for proposals at the national level. Research and Education Gaps and Needs In Research and Education, Cyprus and Croatia share common goals in enhancing infrastructure, fostering collaboration, and encouraging innovation, while also addressing specific needs tailored to each country. Cypriot stakeholders prioritize establishing open access to research infrastructure and data services, alongside upgrading research facilities, and investing in modern educational technologies. They advocate for practical skill development through industry-academia collaboration and adapting the education system to align with societal and industrial needs. Similarly, Croatian stakeholders focus on upgrading research facilities and improving the education system's quality and effectiveness to better serve students. They emphasize practical skill development through collaboration between industry and academia and enhancing multi-disciplinarity in university education. Both countries’ stakeholders stress collaboration between the public and private sectors to advance research and innovation, as well as creating platforms for knowledge sharing among stakeholders. Croatia should promote mechanisms for international collaboration, such as exchange programs and research partnerships. In terms of financing, Cyprus should aim to improve conditions for businesses to innovate and invest in R&D, focusing funding on bridging the gap between research and implementation. Meanwhile, Croatia should seek increased R&D spending to foster innovation and competitiveness, emphasizing private funding for publicly executed research. Solutions to Address Top Gaps and Needs An analysis of the top-ranking infrastructural, human capital, collaboration and financial gaps and needs in Cyprus and Croatia, as well as the solutions provided by the stakeholders, result in the identification of key measures and solutions to enhance research and innovation within the blue economy. For the sector of Aquaculture and Fisheries the high-ranking solutions concern optimizing infrastructure and resource utilization, enhancing quadruple helix collaboration to meet research and innovation needs, bridging knowledge and capacity gaps among the sector’s human capital, facilitating access of fisheries and aquaculture businesses to public funding and grants, and diversifying the sector’s revenue sources. In advancing smart port development, strategic efforts should focus on enacting regulatory and policy changes conducive to Downloaded from https://jcr.kglmeridian.com at 2025-12-04 via free access Loizidou et al. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 113, 2024 88 innovation and sustainability, developing infrastructure that is fit for smart ports, transferring best practices and innovation for smart ports and marinas, and enhancing quadruple helix collaborations for building capacity and skills in key personnel. In safeguarding maritime interests, a comprehensive approach is indispensable. Enhancing infrastructure and deploying cutting-edge technology constitute crucial steps for the maritime security and protection sector, while updating regulations can play a pivotal role in ensuring maritime security and safety. Preparedness is key to effective crisis and emergency management and thus relevant plans should be updated and enhanced, whereas capacity-building and training and streamlining access to funding and resources are essential for a resilient maritime security framework. For the Maritime Technologies sector, the development of a clear regulatory framework for responsible technology use and ensuring that regulation will move in pace with technological advancements is key. To prevent siloed approaches in technology and data use, infrastructure consolidation and interoperability should be fostered through, for example, collaborative platforms and standards. Human capital is instrumental in driving innovation in maritime technologies; therefore talent attraction and development are of the utmost importance. Aligning academia and industry needs and optimizing the grant decision process is also crucial in expediting innovation in maritime technologies. Research and Education can play a pivotal role in driving sustainable development and innovation within the blue economy. Open access to research infrastructure and equipment is important to maximize its utilization from quadruple helix actors across the ecosystems. Importantly, the education system must evolve and keep up with changing needs and challenges while collaboration among quadruple helix members should be fostered. Finally, effective and targeted funding mechanisms are crucial for stimulating innovation and competitiveness within the research and education sector relevant to the blue economy. DISCUSSION The findings from the participatory workshops in Cyprus and Croatia provide a comprehensive overview of the current state and challenges facing the blue economy in these countries. These insights should be contextualized within the broader frameworks of national and regional blue economy strategies and policies, as well as the specific socio-economic and environmental conditions of Cyprus and Croatia. The gaps and needs identified in the aquaculture and fisheries sectors of both countries highlight critical areas for intervention to enhance sustainability and economic growth. The emphasis on modernizing aquaculture farms in Cyprus reflects a need to integrate more efficient and environment friendly technologies, aligning with global trends in sustainable aquaculture practices. Croatia’s focus on improving collaboration between governmental departments and fishers underscores the importance of cohesive governance structures for effective resource management. These findings resonate with broader EU policy objectives, such as the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which aims to ensure that fishing and aquaculture are environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable. The challenges of an aging fisherman population and the need for contemporary training programs highlight the need for targeted human capital development, which is crucial for the long-term viability of the sector. Enhancing public awareness and stakeholder dialogue through collaboration platforms can drive public support and policy alignment, crucial for sustainable sector growth. The development of smart ports in Cyprus and Croatia is pivotal for the modernization of their maritime infrastructure, which is crucial for enhancing their competitiveness in the global maritime industry. The focus on eco-friendly infrastructure and enhanced data capabilities aligns with the European Green Deal's objectives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable transport. Cyprus’s need to enhance data capabilities for monitoring smart port areas and Croatia’s emphasis on extending these systems across the blue economy reflects a broader trend towards data-driven decisionmaking and integrated maritime governance. Human capital development through international best practice exchange programs and specialized training is essential for building the technical expertise required to manage smart port technologies. This aligns with the EU's digital ambition, which emphasizes the importance of digital skills and education for the future workforce. Financial strategies, such as Cyprus’s promotion as a maritime hub and Croatia’s search for innovative funding sources, demonstrate the need for diversified investment approaches to support smart port development. Maritime security and protection are fundamental for safeguarding national interests and ensuring safe and secure maritime operations. The identified need for investment in infrastructure and technology for efficient marine monitoring in both countries is in line with the EU Maritime Security Strategy, which emphasizes the protection of maritime interests against a wide range of threats. Cyprus’s proposal for a centralized data processing system and a national Coast Guard highlights the need for coordinated and robust maritime security frameworks. Croatia’s focus on addressing cybersecurity and environmental safety skill gaps indicates an awareness of emerging maritime threats and the importance of adaptive and responsive security measures. Enhancing public-private collaboration and securing financial resources for upgrading programs and equipment are critical steps towards building resilient maritime security frameworks capable of addressing traditional and emerging maritime threats. The advancement of maritime technologies is crucial for driving innovation and competitiveness within the blue economy. Cyprus’s need for regulatory revisions to facilitate advanced technology adoption and ensure environmental compliance reflects the dynamic nature of maritime technological advancements and the need for responsive regulatory frameworks. Croatia’s emphasis on creating a central stakeholder database to streamline collaboration indicates the importance of cohesive and integrated approaches to technology development. Human capital development, through incentives to attract talent and align educational curricula with industry needs, is essential for fostering a skilled workforce capable of driving technological innovation. Collaborative efforts between regulatory bodies and transparent grant processes are pivotal for Downloaded from https://jcr.kglmeridian.com at 2025-12-04 via free access Fostering Sustainable Blue Economies in Cyprus and Croatia: The Work of the SeaTecHub project _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 113, 2024 89 creating an enabling environment for research and innovation in maritime technologies. Research and education are cornerstones for sustainable development and innovation within the blue economy. The prioritization of open access to research infrastructure and data services in Cyprus and the upgrading of research facilities in Croatia underscore the importance of robust research ecosystems. These initiatives align with broader EU strategies to enhance research and innovation capabilities, such as Horizon Europe. The focus on practical skill development through industryacademia collaboration highlights the need for education systems that are responsive to industry demands and capable of equipping students with relevant skills. Public-private collaboration and international partnerships are critical for advancing research and fostering innovation, ensuring that research outcomes are effectively translated into practical applications that benefit the blue economy. CONCLUSIONS This paper presents the method used to determine blue economy research and innovation gaps and needs in Cyprus and Croatia as well as to identify solutions for addressing them. The participatory method implemented engaged over 100 blue economy ecosystem stakeholders across the two countries. This participatory process highlighted the necessity of a multifaceted approach to address the specific gaps and needs within each sector of the blue economy. By prioritizing infrastructure modernization, human capital development, stakeholder collaboration, and financial support, both countries can enhance their blue economy ecosystems. Tailored strategies that consider national contexts and shared challenges are essential for fostering sustainable growth and innovation in the blue economy sectors of Croatia and Cyprus. The results from this work will be used to define a joint blue economy research and innovation strategy for the two countries. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This work has been implemented with funding received from the European Union under Horizon Europe for project “CroatiaCyprus Excellence Hub on Eco-Innovative Technologies for Healthy and Productive Seas” (SeaTecHub) under Grant Agreement No. 101087162. LITERATURE CITED European Commission, 2020. A new approach for a sustainable blue economy in the EU: Transforming the EU's Blue Economy for a Sustainable Future. https://eurlex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52021DC0240 European Commission, 2021. The European Green Deal. https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-20192024/european-green-deal_en European Union, 2021. The EU Blue Economy Report, 2021. https://oceans-andfisheries.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-05/the-eu-blueeconomy-report-2021_en.pdf OECD, 2023. The Ocean Economy in 2030. https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264251724-en Downloaded from https://jcr.kglmeridian.com at 2025-12-04 via free access