MareSkill - Smart and innovative blue skills for competitive blue economy

03/09/2026

As we prepare for the MareSkill Final Conference, let’s take a look back at how the project came to life in the field!

🎥 In this short video, young participants – students and researchers – share their experiences from MareSkill activities and give us a glimpse of what the project looked like in practice.

Connecting young people with real experiences, knowledge and opportunities in the blue economy has been at the heart of the MareSkill journey.

▶️ Watch the video and experience MareSkill through the eyes of its young participants!



Interreg Italy-Croatia Programme

02/09/2026

Save the date – MareSkill Final Conference!

After more than two years of collaboration, learning and building blue skills together, MareSkill is getting ready for its Final Conference!

📅 10 September 2026
📍 Polytechnic of Šibenik, Croatia

Join us as we share our key results and discuss “Blue Skills for the Future: Are Education and Industry Ready for the Next Generation of the Blue Economy?”

Presentations, inspiring discussions, networking – and one final MareSkill gathering by the sea. 💙🌊

See you in Šibenik!



Interreg Italy-Croatia Programme

15/07/2026

🎥✨ A glimpse of the amazing atmosphere from Monfalcone!

Our Study Visit brought together students, young researchers, industry representatives and project partners from Croatia and Italy for a unique behind-the-scenes experience in the maritime sector.

From exploring the Port of Monfalcone to discovering how innovation drives the blue economy, participants gained valuable insights, new connections and unforgettable experiences.

Watch the first video and experience a small part of what made this international visit so special! 🌊⚓

📍 Monfalcone, Italy



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tnk-tukYAV4;

Interreg Italy-Croatia Programme

As part of our international Study Visit, participants had the oppo...

27/06/2026

Building on results, creating new opportunities.

One of the key objectives of MareSkill is to ensure that the knowledge, methodologies and training approaches developed throughout the project continue to create value beyond the project lifetime. The Pilot Course on Quality Aquaculture, organised by ARTI in collaboration with the Department of Veterinary Medicine of the of Bari, is a concrete example of this capitalisation process.

Building on the experience and lessons learned during MareSkill, the course provided participants with an opportunity to deepen their knowledge of sustainable and quality-oriented aquaculture practices, while strengthening the connection between education, research and the needs of the blue economy sector.

Through initiatives like this, MareSkill continues to promote skills development, knowledge transfer and the uptake of project results, helping prepare a new generation of professionals for the challenges and opportunities of the maritime economy.

📸 Some moments from the course.

Interreg Italy-Croatia Programme

26/06/2026

Learning, collaboration and innovation for the future of the Blue Economy!

The Blue Skills Summer School 2026 brought together students, young researchers and experts in Trieste for five days of interactive learning, knowledge exchange and field activities.

Through lectures, real-life case studies and a visit to a Marine Protected Area, participants explored key topics such as marine biodiversity, climate change, marine pollution, sustainable tourism and the skills needed to support the green and digital transition of the blue economy.

By connecting education with practical experience and cross-border cooperation, we continue to empower the next generation of blue economy professionals. 💙 OGS - Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale



Interreg Italy-Croatia Programme

25/06/2026

🌊 Strengthening the Blue Economy through Collaboration

The MareSkill project was pleased to participate in the Final Conference of the DIH InnovaMare project, held on 17 June 2026 in Šibenik.

Representing the project, Frane Urem, MareSkill Project Manager, delivered a presentation introducing the project's objectives, achievements, and ongoing activities, further increasing the visibility of MareSkill among stakeholders from Croatia and Italy while opening opportunities for new collaborations.

Supporting initiatives that share our vision is an important part of what we do. Whenever possible, we are happy to accept invitations from projects working on related topics, because we believe that knowledge sharing, networking, and cross-project collaboration are essential for building a stronger, more innovative, and sustainable Blue Economy.

Events like this provide valuable opportunities to exchange experiences, showcase project results, and strengthen cooperation between organisations working towards common goals. By supporting one another and promoting complementary initiatives, we create greater impact that extends well beyond the lifetime of individual projects.

🤝 Congratulations to the DIH InnovaMare partnership on a successful final conference, and thank you for the invitation and inspiring discussions.



Interreg Italy-Croatia Programme

29/05/2026

From classrooms to real-world innovation!

Participants from Croatia and Italy gathered in Monfalcone for an international Study Visit focused on strengthening connections between education, research and industry within the blue economy.

During the visit, participants explored the Port of Monfalcone, visited the Beneteau production facility and met key stakeholders shaping innovation and development in the maritime sector. The event provided valuable opportunities for learning, networking and exchanging ideas across borders.

By bringing together students, graduates, young researchers and private sector representatives, the Study Visit demonstrated the importance of collaboration in building future skills, fostering innovation and supporting sustainable growth in blue economy sectors.

A big thank you to all participants, hosts and partners who contributed to making this event a success! 💙
Interreg Italy-Croatia Programme
Sveučilište u Zadru Fakultet biotehnologije i razvoja lijekova Hrvatska gospodarska komora DIH InnovaMare Fenice Green Energy Park ARTI Puglia OGS - Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale Università degli studi di Trieste

26/05/2026

🌊 Yesterday, the annual event of the Interreg Italy-Croatia Programme concluded in Ancona, bringing together discussions on how to better engage young people in Interreg initiatives and the future programming period.

The MareSkill project was represented by Ana Gundić from the Sveučilište u Zadru University of Zadar. 👋

Under the message *“Our goodbye from Youth4Sea is actually an arrivederci!”*, participants contributed through working table discussions to the creation of the *Youth Vision Board*, the main outcome of the conference, available here:
[Youth Engagement Initiatives](https://www.italy-croatia.eu/en/youth-engagement-initiatives?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

🌊 The conference is not a one-off initiative — a series of online webinars will be organised in autumn for everyone interested in continuing the collaboration and activities initiated during the event.

19/05/2026

🌊👕 As part of the H2LO Festival 2026, Sanja Gacanin Shihabi from the Veleučilište u Šibeniku held a lecture within the MareSkill project on the connection between fast fashion, microplastics, and the marine environment.

The discussion focused on how synthetic clothing, textile waste, and everyday washing habits contribute to microplastic pollution in our seas — highlighting the importance of sustainable fashion and responsible consumption. ♻️💙



Interreg Italy-Croatia Programme

15/05/2026

🌊👕 This Friday, 15 May, at 17:30 at Mala loža, don’t miss the presentation “From Closet to Ocean: What Happens to Our Clothes?”

Join us to learn more about the connection between sustainable fashion and the marine environment through the MareSkill perspective. 💙🚰

The presentation will be held by Sanja Shihabi from the Polytechnic of Šibenik as part of the H2LO Festival 2026. ♻️🌍

Interreg Italy-Croatia Programme