Recalling, the recommendations included in the “Blue Book”, the European Commission strongly supports the implementation of an integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union (see: http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs ), based on the clear recognition that all matters related to Europe’s oceans and seas are interlinked and that sea related policies must develop in a joined-up way in order to achieve the desired results of a sustainable future.
The EU Maritime policy gives particular importance to the construction of a solid knowledge and innovation base, and to the enhanced cooperation among science and further stakeholders communities in the process of developing the European Maritime platform.
Thanks to the STARNETregio project activities it was possible to address the issues laid down in the abovementioned EU documents and guidelines. In particular, a Joint Action Plan has been set up as road map including measures/actions to be further developed and implemented by the STARNETregio partners after the project’s end through the expansion of the previous and ongoing coordination activities.
The various measures proposed in the JAP are addressed to public and private science & technology institutions, innovation structures and individual young scientist located in the participating regions as well as coming from further European countries.
In the following the main JAP pillars are presented:
- Tailored political framework to the maritime industry in line with the EU policy trends
- Supportive environment for fostering innovation
- Educational programmes
- Private research investment increase
Among the measures suggested it is worth mentioning the following:
- Project proposals set up in R&D&I hot topics such as leisure boat design/manufacturing, components and subsystems
- Joint master courses and specific training for researchers and professionals
- Venture funds activation to support new technologies and highly innovative ideas deployment
- Pool of experts activation in the maritime sectors
Moreover, suitable financing sources will be selected at regional/bilateral/trans-regional levels with particular regard to the Structural and the pre-accession funds.
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