In May 2021, the Communication on Sustainable Blue Economy (SBE) was adopted as integral part of the European Green Deal. DG MARE has identified Smart specialisation strategies (S3) as a key tool to implement the Communication.
S3 are a useful tool to support transition towards a sustainable blue economy by creating the necessary innovation ecosystems in Member States and Regions while promoting investments that boost the competitiveness of blue economy sectors. In that aspect, the S3 thematic platform for sustainable blue economy will provide a framework of cooperation among blue economy stakeholders of quadruple helix, to exchange their interests, best practices, to address their common needs, to prepare joint proposals and collaborate among themselves for implementing innovative projects.
The S3 thematic platform for sustainable blue economy supports interregional partnerships and value chains thus facilitating the cooperation among blue economy quadruple helix stakeholders. It has been formally launched during the last Steering Committee meeting of the S3 thematic platforms, held on 29 March 2022.
Five brokerage sessions and a follow up event have been organised in 2022, to raise the interest of stakeholders to create partnerships on priorities of common interest. Synergies with sea basin and macroregional strategies, the Union for Mediterranean and other networks are being developed.
