BLUECONNECT Progress and Sustainability
On 26 October 2026, I participated in the BLUECONNECT online monitoring meeting with the Joint Secretariat, joining representatives of the project’s four partners from Montenegro, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The meeting reviewed implementation progress, outstanding activities and the arrangements needed to sustain project results. As Blue Growth Collaboration Platform Expert, these discussions were directly connected to my work on the platform’s development and long-term use.
Sustaining the digital collaboration platform
A central topic was how to keep the Blue Growth Collaboration Platform active beyond project implementation and maintain the cooperation it supports.
My work focuses on the platform as a resource for knowledge exchange, innovation and connections among businesses, research institutions and public authorities. The monitoring discussion reinforced the importance of linking its digital functions with continued stakeholder participation and clear cooperation arrangements.
The Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, under development within the project, formed part of this wider discussion on continuity.
Reviewing implementation across the partnership
The Institute of Marine Biology, University of Montenegro, reported on project coordination, platform management and preparations to complete the IBM Aquaculture Demonstration Center in Kotor. The pilot remained a priority, following technical coordination to align the turbot farming system with the premises’ electricity and water installations.
Other partner updates covered the completed Blue Growth Landscape Analysis, the Eastern Adriatic Fishery Advocacy Center, the establishment of the Blue Growth Cluster, and the Demonstration Center for Freshwater Fish Processing.
Workshops, the study visit to Brač and communication activities complemented these outputs by supporting knowledge exchange and stakeholder engagement.
Photo: BLUECONNECT implementation status reviewed during the Joint Secretariat monitoring meeting, 26 October 2026.
Connecting results with continued cooperation
For my work on the platform, these updates provided an opportunity to consider how the project’s digital resources, specialised centres and stakeholder network could continue to support one another.
The Joint Secretariat also highlighted the need to document outputs in the required format and increase the visibility of achievements through Programme communication channels.
The next steps included completing the Kotor pilot, advancing the cooperation agreement and preparing the project team meeting planned for December 2026 in Podgorica. Continued attention to platform activity and stakeholder participation will remain important as BLUECONNECT moves towards the end of implementation.
Cover photo: BLUECONNECT partners and Joint Secretariat representatives during the online monitoring meeting, 26 October 2026.
