Key sectors of the blue economy – maritime transport, fisheries, aquaculture, marine biotechnology, and coastal tourism – by mid-2027 will be significantly strengthened through the GROWTH4BLUE project, which, with the support of the European Union, develops innovative employment models, digital tools, and training programs aligned with the real needs of the labor market. This regional project, financed through the Interreg ADRION program, is aimed at strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of the blue economy in the Adriatic-Ionian region, by connecting business, education, and innovation.
The Chamber of Economy of Montenegro (CEM) is a partner in the GROWTH4BLUE project, led by the Administration of the Region of Western Greece, with the participation of institutions from Italy, Slovenia, and North Macedonia. On this occasion, the Chamber organized an info day in Podgorica with the aim of presenting the goals and activities of the project.
“The goal of the project is the systemic resolution of current problems related to the lack of qualified workforce and the low rate of adoption of technological innovations, as well as the creation of sustainable employment models that will ensure long-term resilience and competitiveness of this important economic sector in the Adriatic-Ionian region,” said Tanja Radusinović, Director of the Projects Sector of the CEM, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation and the role of the blue economy in Montenegro’s future economic development.
She added that through project activities such as labor market analysis and the development of online tools for analyzing job advertisements using advanced processing technologies, GROWTH4BLUE is creating a solid foundation for better understanding of market needs and faster adaptation of training programs to labor market demands.
“These tools will enable employers, educational institutions, and decision-makers to respond timely and effectively to new requirements and opportunities brought by the blue economy,” Radusinović specified.
As part of the info day, a lecture by Radivoje Drobnjak was held under the title “The Digital Age: Entrepreneurship with Purpose”, with the aim of further strengthening the messages promoted by Growth4Blue.
“Digital transformation is an unavoidable factor in modern business, especially in sectors related to natural resources and sustainable development. Through innovative approaches and socially responsible business models, new opportunities for employment, greater productivity, and the development of the blue economy are opening up,” said Drobnjak.
Recalling the goals of the project, it was emphasized that Growth4Blue promotes precisely such a way of thinking and acting – innovative, sustainable, and conscious – and that digital technologies and entrepreneurship with purpose can significantly contribute both to strengthening the economy and to the protection of natural resources of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.
“Growth4Blue is an example of how innovation and digitalization can be strong support for economic growth and social well-being, through the creation of quality jobs and the preservation of nature,” said Radusinović, stressing the importance of continuous investment in education, as well as the development of sustainable entrepreneurship models that recognize their place in the social and ecological context.
The info day gathered representatives of the public sector, business, education, science, and civil society, opening a dialogue on concrete ways in which, through the GROWTH4BLUE project – “Creating Regional Opportunities for Workforce Development and High-Tech Innovation in the Blue Economy of the Adriatic-Ionian Region” – to respond to labor market challenges, connect knowledge and practice, and strengthen Montenegro’s role in joint regional efforts.
SOURCE: https://komora.me/
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