ECOSYSTEMS OF COLLABORATION AND INNOVATION IN THE BLUE ECONOMY: KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER TOOLS OF THE THINKINAZUL STRATEGY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE MEDBLUETECH SUMMIT

Abstract

The Blue Economy poses complex challenges that require not only scientific and technological advances, but also effective mechanisms for collaboration, innovation, and knowledge transfer. In this context, the ThinkInAzul Complementary Plan for Marine Sciences of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, constitutes the main national R&I initiative in this field. This article is framed within the participation of ThinkInAzul in the MedBlueTech Summit on 26th November 2025 and aims to analyse the collaboration and innovation tools developed under Action Line 3 (AL3) of the plan. After presenting the overall structure of the programme and its governance model based on working groups, the article focuses on three key instruments: the Ideas Lab and the matchmaking platform, the Innovation Radar, and the Transfer Sheets. Together, these tools configure an ecosystem designed to facilitate connections between projects, the identification of transferable results, and the structured communication of knowledge towards the productive sector, public administrations, and society. The ThinkInAzul experience highlights the value of integrating transfer and innovation from the design stage of Blue Economy research programmes, contributing to a more effective and sustainable governance of the maritime sector.