A new tool for faster construction of marine biotechnology collaborative networks.

The increasing and rapid development in technologies, infrastructures, computational power, data availability and information flow has enabled rapid scientific advances. These entail transdisciplinary collaborations that maximize sharing of data and knowledge and, consequently, results, and possible technology transfer. However, in emerging scientific fields it is sometimes difficult to provide all necessary expertise within existing collaborative circles. This is especially true for marine biotechnology that directly addresses global societal challenges. This article describes the creation of a platform dedicated to facilitating the formation of short or mid-term collaborative networks in marine biotechnology. This online platform (https://www.ocean4biotech.eu/map/) enables experts (researchers and members of the marine biotechnology community in general) to have the possibility to showcase their expertise with the aim of being integrated into new collaborations/consortia on the one hand, or to use it as a search tool to complement the expertise in planned/running collaborations, on the other. The platform was created within the Ocean4Biotech (European transdisciplinary networking platform for marine biotechnology) Action, funded under the framework of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST). To build the platform, an inquiry was developed to identify experts in marine biotechnology and its adjunct fields, to define their expertise, to highlight their infrastructures and facilities and to pinpoint the main bottlenecks in this field. The inquiry was open to all experts in the broad field of marine biotechnology, including non-members of the consortium. The inquiry (https://ee.kobotoolbox.org/single/UKVsBNtD) remains open for insertion of additional expertise and the resulting interactive map can be used as a display and search tool for establishing new collaborations

B-Blue

The document presents B-Blue project communication and dissemination strategy developed in the framework of WP2. Communication and dissemination plan provides guideline to the B-Blue project partners on how communication and dissemination of the project should be performed. Communication and dissemination plan is a detailed document explaining all aspects related to B-Blue communication and dissemination: • main principles of internal and external communication, • stakeholders mapping, identification of the opinion leaders, distribution of the targeted audiences and tailored messages to be sent to them, timing and role of CT. • the rules to be followed for building the project’s visual identity, • communication and dissemination activities, tools and channels, • creates the tools to monitor how successfully and effectively it is implemented

Identification of marine biotechnology value chains with high potential in the Northern Mediterranean region

Marine (blue) biotechnology is an emerging field enabling the valorization of new products and processes with massive potential for innovation and economic growth. In the Mediterranean region, this innovation potential is not exploited as well as in other European regions due to a lack of a clear identification of the different value chains and the high fragmentation of business innovation initiatives. As a result, several opportunities to create an innovative society are being missed. To address this problem, eight Northern Mediterranean countries (Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain) established five national blue biotechnology hubs to identify and address the bottlenecks that prevent the development of marine biotechnology in the region. Following a three-step approach (1. Analysis: setting the scene2. Transfer: identification of promising value chains3. Capitalization: community creation), we identified the three value chains that are most promising for the Northern Mediterranean region: algae production for added-value compounds, integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) and valorization aquaculture/fisheries/processing by-products, unavoidable/unwanted catches and discards. The potential for the development and the technical and non-technical skills that are necessary to advance in this exciting field were identified through several stakeholder events which provided valuable insight and feedback that should be addressed for marine biotechnology in the Northern Mediterranean region to reach its full potential

Final report on women’s careers progression

The main objective of this deliverable is to evaluate what impact the CHANGE project had on GEP implementing partners and CHANGE team members. The deliverable is based on the data obtained from self-assessment forms, which were filled in by CHANGE implementing partners in February 2022. This report presents the views on how the participation in CHANGE project changed the institutional gender equality level and what impact was made to individuals included in the CHANGE project. The results show that inclusion in CHANGE project had significant positive organizational and personal impact to the organizations and CHANGE team members

Identification of Marine Biotechnology Value Chains with High Potential in the Northern Mediterranean Region

Marine (blue) biotechnology is an emerging field enabling the valorization of new products and processes with massive potential for innovation and economic growth. In the Mediterranean region, this innovation potential is not exploited as well as in other European regions due to a lack of a clear identification of the different value chains and the high fragmentation of business innovation initiatives. As a result, several opportunities to create an innovative society are being missed. To address this problem, eight Northern Mediterranean countries (Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain) established five national blue biotechnology hubs to identify and address the bottlenecks that prevent the development of marine biotechnology in the region. Following a three-step approach (1. Analysis: setting the scene; 2. Transfer: identification of promising value chains; 3. Capitalization: community creation), we identified the three value chains that are most promising for the Northern Mediterranean region: algae production for added-value compounds, integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) and valorization aquaculture/fisheries/processing by-products, unavoidable/unwanted catches and discards. The potential for the development and the technical and non-technical skills that are necessary to advance in this exciting field were identified through several stakeholder events which provided valuable insight and feedback that should be addressed for marine biotechnology in the Northern Mediterranean region to reach its full potential.This publication was produced with financial assistance of the Interreg MED Programme, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (Project No. 8MED20_4.1_SP_001, internal ref. 8MED20_4.1_SP_001)—B-Blue project. A.R., E.G.B., J.U., G.T., E.R.: this publication is based upon work from COST Action CA18238 (Ocean4Biotech), supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). A.R., E.G.B., J.U.: The authors acknowledge the financial support of the Slovenian Research Agency (research core funding No. P4-0432). The authors also acknowledge that the project (L4-4564) was financially supported by the Slovenian Research Agency. The authors also acknowledge the financial assistance of the Interreg Euro-MED Programme, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (Project no. Euro-MED0300730—C4Nature)—Community4Nature project. Y.K., E.R., G.T.: this publication is based on results from the VIOAXIOPOIO Project funded by the Greek General Secretariat of Research and Innovation (Τ1ΕΔΚ-02509—MIS 5031878).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio