The selected 20 participants of the Blue Cluster Manager training program had the opportunity to attend the Study Visit organized in the frame of MARMED Project that took place the 13 and 14 June 2024 in Trieste, a multicultural city at the crossroads of Central Europe.
Organized by the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics – OGS, the study visit aimed at strengthening the skills of Maritime Cluster Managers in the Mediterranean region and beyond. During these two days of face-to-face activities, the future cluster managers had the opportunity to learn more about the best practices from actors operating in the marine and maritime sectors, as well as create and strengthen synergies and acquire more knowledge in the different sectors of the Blue Economy.
This key event was part of the Blue Cluster Manager Training, an online piloting training course designed and conducted under the MARMED Project.
The study visit included 20 participants, comprising expert cluster managers, aspiring cluster managers, and Blue Economy experts who are currently undergoing the Blue Cluster Manager Training. This two-day event provided an excellent opportunity to better understand the complex role of cluster managers and to deepen participants’ knowledge of different aspects of the Blue Economy.
The first day began at the Trieste Port Authority, where participants attended the GeoAdriatico conference session on “Blue Economy: Hydrogen, Green Shipping, and European Integration,” featuring insightful lectures from esteemed experts in the sector. After the conference, participants enjoyed a scenic boat ride back to Trieste city center. The afternoon was dedicated to practical examples of sea management in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, with presentations from regional technical clusters showcasing innovative strides in maritime technology and sustainable growth.
The second day highlighted the work of the WestMED Initiative and the Libya / Rebuild project, focusing on sea basin strategies and pilot actions essential for fostering a sustainable Mediterranean Blue Economy. A roundtable discussion with Maritime Cluster Managers from different regional contexts across the Northern and Southern Mediterranean followed. The day concluded with a compelling talk on Maritime Spatial Planning, emphasizing the significance of the EU Green Deal and the UN Sustainable Development Goals in shaping a resilient and prosperous maritime future.
The study visit underscored the importance of promoting the role of maritime clusters and served as a best practice example of collaboration, enhancing the importance of Maritime Cluster managers and staff.
