Deadline: August 29, 2025
The ABBA – Adriatic-Ionian SustainaBle Blue Economy Alliance for upscaling SMEs has launched an open call to empower early-stage deeptech innovators contributing to a smarter Adriatic-Ionian region.
The program priority is Supporting a smarter Adriatic-Ionian region, with the specific objective SO. 1.1: Strengthening innovation capacities in the Adriatic-Ionian region.
The initiative offers a two-stage support scheme targeting SMEs, startups, spin-offs, research teams, entrepreneurship teams, individual researchers, and individual entrepreneurs from Greece, Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Applicants must propose solutions addressing one or more blue economy sectors such as port activities, maritime transport, marine renewable energy, sustainable aquaculture & fisheries, shipping, shipbuilding & repair, and blue bioeconomy and biotechnology. Solutions should aim to tackle challenges including addressing rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and coastal erosion; promoting marine energy efficiency through renewable energy or alternative fuels; promoting circular economy practices; combatting overfishing and ensuring biodiversity management; supporting sustainable maritime spatial planning; promoting port and vessel digitalization and automation for emissions reduction; enhancing grid integration to overcome infrastructure gaps; and promoting green shipbuilding and repair processes.
Selected innovators will benefit from targeted support services designed to boost their innovation capacity, market readiness, and scaling potential. The call emphasizes collaboration through open innovation, encouraging applicants to identify needed partnerships, whether in scientific expertise, access to enabling technologies, regulatory navigation, market access, or business model co-development. Applicants may also seek collaboration with research institutions, technology providers, customers, suppliers, ports, public authorities, and innovation hubs.
The application process involves providing detailed information on the proposed solution, its technology readiness level, business model, market potential, resource requirements, expected impact, and collaboration needs. Optional pitch decks or supporting materials can be submitted to strengthen applications.
For more information, visit Interreg IPA ADRION.
