1.Project Summary
The 2B-BLUE project, coordinated by the University of Murcia and co-funded by the Interreg Euro- MED programme, seeks to advance Blue Biotechnology across the Mediterranean by establishing national Blue Biotechnology Hubs (BBHubs). Bringing together 10 partners from six countries (Spain, France, Slovenia, Italy, Albania, and Greece) 2B-BLUE unites a regional network of expertise to leverage Blue Biotechnology for sustainable development, environmental restoration, and economic growth. Building on the achievements of the prior B-Blue project, 2B-BLUE sets specific goals to drive innovation, increase sustainability, and stimulate economic activities in key Blue Biotechnology value chains, such as integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), algae cultivation, cosmetics or fisheries and aquaculture byproduct valorization. Along these lines, the project emphasizes both environmental conservation and technological advancement to ensure that marine and coastal ecosystems are preserved alongside economic growth.
The 2B-BLUE project has four primary objectives. First, it aims to identify and showcase best practices and significant stakeholders in Blue Biotechnology, creating a robust, collaborative network across the Mediterranean. Second, it seeks to establish national Demonstration Sites (DS) and Transformative Labs (T-Labs), using a “living lab” approach to test and refine emerging Blue Biotechnologies under real-world conditions. These DS bridge the gap between research and practical applications, accelerating the adaptation of laboratory innovations to market-ready solutions. Third, 2B-BLUE focuses on building strategic alliances to encourage the adoption of advanced biotechnologies within the environmental industry, supporting environmentally responsible practices across the region. Finally, the project strives to influence regional policies to enhance sustainability and bolster research and innovation capacities across the Euro-Mediterranean, creating a policy framework that supports long-term growth in Blue Biotechnology.
2B-BLUE will generate both environmental and socioeconomic benefits. Environmentally, the project will support best practices to protect and improve marine ecosystems by applying biotechnological innovations to monitor, restore, and sustain marine environments. Socioeconomically, 2B-BLUE aims to foster the growth of a Blue Biotechnology sector in the region, generating jobs and boosting economic activity through the sustainable use of marine resources. At the same time, the DS and TLabs will function as innovation hubs where emerging biotechnologies can be refined, validated, and adapted for widespread industry use, helping to stimulate local economies, adapted regulations and create new business and innovation opportunities.
A key strength of the 2B-BLUE project is its commitment to knowledge sharing. By creating six BBHubs modeled as living labs, 2B-BLUE encourages practical experimentation, collaboration, and knowledge exchange across sectors and regions in key Blue Biotechnology value chains. These hubs will not only support the project’s immediate goals but will also serve as long-term resources for training, collaboration, and continued innovation beyond the project’s lifespan. In line with this, the methodologies, partnerships, and technologies developed through 2B-BLUE are designed to be adaptable and transferable, providing valuable insights for other regions and industries looking to adopt Blue Biotechnology solutions. Through these initiatives, 2B-BLUE will help establish a thriving Mediterranean Blue Biotechnology community that contributes to sustainable development, while generating valuable transferable knowledge and technologies to support the global the blue economy.
2. Information
Call: INTERREG Euro MED – SECOND CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Project Acronym: 2BBLUE
Project Number: Euro-MED0200514
Programme Priority: 1-Smarter MED
Specific objective: Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies
Start – End Date: 2024-01-01 – 2026-09-30
Total budget: EUR 2, 913 935.95
Interreg Funds: EUR 2,913,935.95
3. Project partners
LEAD PARTNER: UNIVERSITY OF MURCIA
- ADF – ALBANIAN DEVELOPMENT FUND
- ENEA – ITALIAN NATIONAL AGENCY FOR NEW TECHNOLOGIES, ENERGY AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BIOLOGY – MARINE BIOLOGY STATION PIRAN – SLO
- NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL – INSTITUTE FOR BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES AND MARINE
- HELLENIC CENTRE FOR MARINE RESEARCH – INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY
- BUSINESS AND INNOVATION SEA CLUSTER – TOULON VAR TECHNOLOGY
- ALBANIAN CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
- CTN-MARINE TECHNOLOGY CENTRE
- FRENCH RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR THE EXPLOITATION OF THE SEA
4. Contact for Albanian partner
Contact: Ingrida Dashi
E-mail idashi@albaniandf.org
Contact: Ylli Take
E-mail ytake@albaniandf.org
5. Link of project website and social media
6. Activities
7. Newsletters
- November 2024 – Newsletter No 1 2B-BLUE_First_Newsletter_Nov_2024