Abstract
The ECCENTRIC project intends to focus on the emerging sectors of the blue economy, namely marine energies, maritime safety&surveillance; and infrastructure, that are the most promising ones for the Adriatic area in terms of SMEs, innovation score and ability to attract investments. Furthermore, their contribution to the promotion of sustainability of the Adriatic area is considered. ECCENTRIC addresses specific common challenges: 1) Strengthen the collaboration between the emerging sectors and Research institutions and the implementation of innovative product and processes 2) strengthen sustainability in the blue-economy, triggering the transformation of SMEs according to the green and digital transition. To do this, it aims to emphasize the role of research and development in these emerging sectors, focusing on sensors, materials, telecommunication, electronics components, robotics, etc. Research and innovation (R&I;) is seen as a central driver for promoting a sustainable blue economy, as well as for achieving the goals set out in the European Green Deal and building back better after the COVID-19 crisis. The general objective of the project and the expected changes that the project will bring to the current situation are in line with the Priority 1 of the program area, i.e. sustainable growth in the blue economy. In particular, ECCENTRIC aims to produce 1) more expertise and attitude from public and private intermediaries to support emerging sectors of the Adriatic area 2) strengthen circularity in the blue-economy by working with SMEs and start-ups in emerging sectors 3) strengthen the support from public and private actors to the emerging sectors of the blue economy with the necessary financial instruments/investments The outputs will be vertical and directly for the benefit of the actors involved (SMEs, Higher education and research organisations, Regional public authority, Business support organisation, Sectoral agency). ECCENTRIC will produce support to joint (pre) industrial feasibility studies for applications of new products and territorial/marine monitoring systems following this roadmap: FIRST STEP: The project will first identify the most important technological and marketing trends related to the selected emerging sectors considering the Adriatic ecosystem. In parallel, the network of relevant financial instruments/investors will be mapped and engagement activities will be carried out SECOND STEP: based on the mapping and analysis phase, a set of methodologies will be defined to improve technology transfer actions and business models (capitalization of past/ongoing projects/practices). The financial support/investment attraction is included. THIRD STEP: Elaboration of 3 development roadmaps for the blu-economy sectors concerned. The 3 roadmaps will include a technology, business and policy vision for each sector jointly with recommended actions. FOURTH STEP: The 3 Development roadmaps will be implemented with the testing of 2 innovative methodologies FIFTH STEP. Finally, the project will define an action plan for a sustainable growth plan of these sectors and support its adoption by Adriatic policy makers for project follow-up. To achieve the objectives described, a cross-border approach is essential. The ECCENTRIC project aims to strengthen the collaboration between SMEs and research institutes by focusing on the emerging sectors of the blue economy. The “emerging” sectors (marine energy, maritime surveillance and security, and infrastructure) received this definition in the Blue-Economy report, due to their novelty both with respect to industry and markets on the one hand and the need for investments with low rate of return due to the pre-industrialization stage of most of their products. The advanced technologies required by these sectors (sensors, electronic components, materials, nanomaterials, cables, robotics, etc.) require great knowledge, skil
Project details
Unibo Team Leader: Daniela Francia
Unibo involved Department/s:
Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca Industriale su Meccanica Avanzata e Materiali
Coordinator:
Soggetti Diversi(Italy)
Other Participants:
IMAST scarl
(Italy)
ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - Università di Bologna
(Italy)
Project Duration in months: 30
Start Date:
01/04/2024
End Date:
30/09/2026
