MarTe: Marine Technology Excellence Hub for Sustainable Blue Economy in Baltics

Programme(s): HORIZON.4.1 - Widening participation and spreading excellence

Topic(s): HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-07-01 - Excellence Hubs

Call for proposal: HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-07

Funding Scheme: HORIZON-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions

Grant agreement ID: 101186498 

Objective:
The MarTe project aims to facilitate sustainable blue growth in the Baltic region by establishing Estonian and Latvian marine innovation Excellence Hub. This will be achieved through the collaboration of diverse stakeholders including academic institutions (TalTech, University of Tartu, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology), public sector (Environmental Investment Centre, Kurzeme Planning Region, Saaremaa Development Centre, Latvian Investment and Development Agency), industry (Association of Estonian Marine Industries, Port of Ventspils), and coastal communities (WWF, Baltijas Krasti, Saarte Koostöökogu). By leveraging quadruple-helix collaborations, MarTe will create a cross-border innovation strategy and supportive network for fostering new technologies throughout the marine industry value chain. Project objectives include collaborative R&D, ecosystem empowerment, and policy influence for advancing marine technologies, reinforcing stakeholder linkages, improving ecosystem capacity building, closing the knowledge gaps, supporting SMEs and startups, and elevating the visibility of the regional blue economy innovation ecosystems. In alignment with EU Green Deal and regional smart specialization strategies, the strategic framework focuses on marine technology innovation uptake in areas like offshore energy, smart vessels and ports, sustainable use of marine resources and marine ecosystem protection. Through a comprehensive approach encompassing stakeholder engagement and capacity building, MarTe strives for a significant impact on the sustainable blue economy in Baltics.