THE PROJECTMEDHUBS - Mediterranean Blue Economy Hubs
Maritime Innovation for Smart Specialization
MED-Hubs is an ambitious European initiative aimed at strengthening innovation in the Western Mediterranean blue economy, transforming cutting-edge ideas into market-ready solutions.
The project establishes two interconnected hubs: one in Spain, focused on marine renewable energy, and one in Italy, dedicated to sustainable fisheries, creating a strong interregional ecosystem for collaboration and technology validation.
Through open calls for pilot projects, MED-Hubs rigorously tests emerging technologies in real operational conditions, accelerating market trust and the adoption of innovative solutions.
MED-Hubs is an ambitious European initiative aimed at strengthening innovation in the Western Mediterranean blue economy, transforming cutting-edge ideas into market-ready solutions.
The project establishes two interconnected hubs: one in Spain, focused on marine renewable energy, and one in Italy, dedicated to sustainable fisheries, creating a strong interregional ecosystem for collaboration and technology validation.
Through open calls for pilot projects, MED-Hubs rigorously tests emerging technologies in real operational conditions, accelerating market trust and the adoption of innovative solutions.
THE PROJECTThe project engages fishers, ports, researchers, SMEs, startups, investors, policymakers and coastal communities, working together to shape the future of the blue economy. MED-Hubs aims not only to enhance innovation capacity in Spain and Italy, but also to develop a replicable model for other Mediterranean regions.
By building a continuously growing community of blue economy professionals, MED-Hubs invites stakeholders to participate in workshops, mentoring activities and knowledge exchange initiatives.
Join the MED-Hubs Community at
www.deep-ecosystems.com/med-hubs
and become part of the movement driving blue innovation.
The project engages fishers, ports, researchers, SMEs, startups, investors, policymakers and coastal communities, working together to shape the future of the blue economy. MED-Hubs aims not only to enhance innovation capacity in Spain and Italy, but also to develop a replicable model for other Mediterranean regions.
By building a continuously growing community of blue economy professionals, MED-Hubs invites stakeholders to participate in workshops, mentoring activities and knowledge exchange initiatives.
Join the MED-Hubs Community at
www.deep-ecosystems.com/med-hubs
and become part of the movement driving blue innovation.
THE ROLE OF FABBRICA ITALIANA DELL’INNOVAZIONE
Fabbrica Italiana dell’Innovazione is a partner of the MED-HUBS project and is responsible for the development of a cutting-edge testbed in the marine areas of Ischia and Procida, in collaboration with JustOnEarth Srl.
Through the ALFA Testbed – Automated Logbook Compilation and Fish Recognition, Fabbrica contributes to the experimentation of innovative solutions applied to local fisheries, promoting:
- the digitalisation of processes;
- the enhancement of the fishery value chain;
- the active involvement of institutions, fishers, research bodies and local communities;
- the generation of data supporting environmental sustainability and scientific research.
THE PLATFORM
The Digital Storytelling service supports the local communication of the ALFA testbed, part of the broader European MED-Hubs project, through the creation of dynamic, engaging and accessible content. The objective is to bring local communities, stakeholders, fishers, businesses and citizens closer to the themes of marine monitoring and innovation applied to small-scale fisheries.
PARTNERSFII – Fabbrica Italiana dell’Innovazione
Fabbrica Italiana dell’Innovazione S.c.a.r.l. – Benefit Corporation and Certified Incubator coordinates the engagement of all stakeholders (institutions, universities and research centres, businesses, local communities) within the ALFA pilot project. It plays a particularly active role toward SMEs and startups in developing new business models based on ALFA’s results. Fabbrica is a certified business incubator dedicated to the development of startups and SMEs in the Blue Economy (from sea to space), Green Economy (Sustainability), and Cultural and Creative Industries sectors. It provides incubation, acceleration, training and open innovation services, connecting companies, universities, investors and institutions. As a Benefit Corporation, it promotes sustainable and technologically advanced business models, fostering economic growth and social impact in local territories.
Just on Earth
Just on Earth develops the Italian testbed and provides its automated logbook and AI-based fisheries monitoring technologies, supporting startups involved in the MED-Hubs testbeds in achieving market readiness. Its contribution is central to sustainable innovation in the fisheries sector. Participation in the project allows Just on Earth to accelerate solution adoption and expand connections with buyers, partners and investors.
FII – Fabbrica Italiana dell’Innovazione
Fabbrica Italiana dell’Innovazione S.c.a.r.l. – Benefit Corporation and Certified Incubator coordinates the engagement of all stakeholders (institutions, universities and research centres, businesses, local communities) within the ALFA pilot project. It plays a particularly active role toward SMEs and startups in developing new business models based on ALFA’s results. Fabbrica is a certified business incubator dedicated to the development of startups and SMEs in the Blue Economy (from sea to space), Green Economy (Sustainability), and Cultural and Creative Industries sectors. It provides incubation, acceleration, training and open innovation services, connecting companies, universities, investors and institutions. As a Benefit Corporation, it promotes sustainable and technologically advanced business models, fostering economic growth and social impact in local territories.
Just on Earth
Just on Earth develops the Italian testbed and provides its automated logbook and AI-based fisheries monitoring technologies, supporting startups involved in the MED-Hubs testbeds in achieving market readiness. Its contribution is central to sustainable innovation in the fisheries sector. Participation in the project allows Just on Earth to accelerate solution adoption and expand connections with buyers, partners and investors.
UPCT – Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena
UPCT coordinates the entire MED-Hubs project and leads the creation and management of the Spanish testbed dedicated to marine energy, ensuring rigorous technical validation of blue economy solutions. The university is also responsible for coordinating cross-border collaboration, ensuring hub alignment with smart specialization strategies. UPCT plays a key role in transforming research into applied maritime innovation.
CARM – Region of Murcia
The Region of Murcia plays a key role in engaging policymakers and aligning the Spanish testbed with regional regulatory frameworks and strategic priorities. By facilitating access to ports and administrative processes, CARM enables the rapid and effective testing of innovative technologies. Its contribution strengthens the long-term integration of MED-Hubs results into regional development strategies.
FMRM – Federation of Municipalities of the Region of Murcia
FMRM connects MED-Hubs with local authorities and coastal communities, ensuring broad participation in the Spanish testbed and the Blue Economy Community. Its role is essential in integrating innovation into local development plans, ensuring that MED-Hubs solutions address real community needs and generate tangible territorial benefits.
CTN – Marine Technology Centre
CTN supports the activation of public stakeholders and provides technical expertise for implementing maritime pilot projects within the Spanish hub. It also contributes to the development of sustainable business models for the testbeds, strengthening the link between technology developers and industrial users in the maritime sector.
ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy
ALDA coordinates the stakeholder engagement work package, activating policymakers, territorial actors and interregional partners across Europe. Its role ensures strong participation from public authorities and civil society, contributing to the Observatory Panel and project replicability activities. ALDA guarantees that MED-Hubs remains participatory, inclusive and territorially rooted.
DEEP Ecosystems
DEEP Ecosystems leads dissemination and community-building activities, managing the MED-Hubs online platform and coordinating publications, conferences and the Blue Economy Community. It also designs the Expansion Program and supports the long-term sustainability of the network. Through DEEP’s work, MED-Hubs positions itself as an open, dynamic and accessible community of innovators and stakeholders.
MaltAccelerate (MA)
MaltAccelerate is responsible for incubation and commercialisation support activities, guiding startups from concept to market through mentoring, innovation scouting and investment preparation. Its expertise ensures that the most promising solutions receive the support needed to scale. MA also contributes to SME engagement within the open calls.
Changemakers Agency (CMA)
Changemakers Agency co-leads activities dedicated to innovation commercialisation and investment readiness, providing training and advisory services to startups involved in MED-Hubs. Through its network of investors and business experts, CMA strengthens funding opportunities for emerging blue economy initiatives, facilitating access to markets and capital.
VLPF – Venice Lagoon Plastic Free
Venice Lagoon Plastic Free coordinates the Observatory Panel and the dissemination of policy recommendations, contributing environmental expertise and a community-oriented perspective. Its role ensures that sustainability and circular economy principles guide hub development and expands stakeholder engagement on environmental issues.
