ForMare at the Mediterranean Blue Economy Conference 2026

On the 23rd of June, the Mediterranean Blue Economy Conference 2026 took place in Cartagena, Spain, organized in the framework of MED-Hubs Project, of which Fabbrica Italiana dell’Innovazione is a partner. The conference brought together policymakers, researchers, investors, innovation hubs, maritime experts, startup ecosystem leaders and Blue Economy stakeholders from across Europe and the Mediterranean.

Elisa Van Engelenhoven, EU Project Manager at ForMare – Polo Nazionale per lo Shipping (Innovation Hub for the Blue Economy), was invited to moderate the panel discussion “Connecting Mediterranean Innovation Ecosystems for Blue Growth.”

The session brought together Celia Murcia Lorenzo (WestMED Assistance Mechanism), Andreas Klapsis (Startup Greece), Pedro Bobião (Vide de Grunwald) and Mihaela Mirea Candea (Energy Transition Partnership Assistance Mechanism) to discuss how Mediterranean innovation ecosystems can become stronger drivers of sustainable blue growth.

Starting from different perspectives, the panel highlighted the importance of regional cooperation, ecosystem collaboration, knowledge exchange, stakeholder engagement, skills development and access to investment in turning innovation into concrete opportunities for coastal and maritime communities.

Particular attention was given to the need to reduce fragmentation, strengthen connections between territories and actors, support startups and traditional maritime sectors, and build more resilient, competitive and impactful blue economy ecosystems across the Mediterranean.

A special thank you to the MED-HUBS partnership and to all speakers and participants for contributing to a dynamic and inspiring exchange of ideas and experiences.