Based on regional innovation scoreboard,global innovation index&EUSAIR, main challenges in

Programme area is lack of cooperation and coordination between the two countries' innovation

ecosystems that hinders the sharing of knowledge, expertise and resources. It can lead to duplication

of efforts and missed opportunities for collaboration. Limited access to funding for innovative

projects due to a lack of awareness of funding opportunities or insufficient funding options.

Cross-border region faces a low competitiveness on international markets of SMEs and shortage of the

human skills capacities, which can hinder the development and implementation of innovative

projects. Innovative solutions can be developed in one ecosystem, for example science institutions,

and never reach application in practice. So it is crucial to create an environment in which this transfer

of knowledge, information, and resources from one stakeholder to another will happen in the most

efficient way. Cross-border Digital innovation Hub Innovamare emerged as a real answer that can

support these processes. Essential for innovation players is to be a part of co-creation ecosystems

that will allow them to grow, expand and share knowledge and experience. Project is set up on

mission-oriented approach that rather than focusing on sector, mission-oriented policy focuses on

problem-specific societal challenges, which many different sectors interact to solve. Our focus is on

innovation players to increase effectiveness of innovation activities in field of marine technologies in

direction of sustainability of Adriatic sea as a strategical societal challenge on cross-border level. DIH

Innovamare will continue to capitalize results accomplished in strategic project Innovamare and add

new dimension by expanding cross-border innovation ecosystem with new stakeholders specially

young researchers, implement pilot actions as showcase of technology transfer, raise innovation

capacities with educational modules and work on development of new funding instruments for blue

economy.