The main goal of INNO2MARE is to strengthen the excellence and resilience of the Western Slovenian and Adriatic Croatian maritime innovation ecosystems through a series of jointly designed and implemented actions that support the digital and green transitions of maritime and related industries. Building on in-depth ecosystem mapping and a needs and gaps analysis, the consortium will develop a long-term research and innovation (R&I) strategy aligned with regional, national, and EU priorities. This strategy will serve as a visionary framework, complemented by a joint action and investment plan outlining concrete steps to establish coordinated, resilient, attractive, and sustainable maritime innovation ecosystems.To support the joint strategy and provide a model for future collaborative R&I, the project implemented three pilot projects addressing key challenges in maritime education and training, maritime traffic safety and security, and energy conversion and management systems efficiency. Throughout all project activities, the Western Slovenian and Adriatic Croatian ecosystems benefit from the transfer of best practices from the Flemish ecosystem, one of the most advanced maritime innovation ecosystems globally.
The consortium has successfully delivered Key Exploitable Result 1 (KER1) – the Long-term Joint Research and Innovation (R&I) Strategy. This strategic document establishes a comprehensive framework designed to strengthen and interconnect the maritime innovation ecosystems of Western Slovenia and Adriatic Croatia.
The strategy directly addresses key regional challenges, such as the low uptake of advanced and digital technologies, limited cross-sector collaboration among academia, industry, and public institutions, and the need for stronger alignment with the EU’s green and digital transition goals.
To ensure long-term impact, the Joint Action and Investment Plan - Key Exploitable Result 3 (KER3) - is a concise roadmap for the sustainable development of maritime innovation ecosystems. Co-created with stakeholder input, KER3 aligns with national priorities and EU policy frameworks, ensuring coordinated, scalable, and impactful actions for the long-term growth of the sector.
Pre-planning for Pilots and Demonstrators has advanced the uptake of project results by developing feasibility tools, adaptive implementation methods, and strategic partnerships. A key achievement is the establishment of a new test site at Iskra Shipyard in Šibenik, providing a practical platform for pilots and technology demonstrations that accelerate industry adoption.
