The Public Call has been published within the ABBA project – Adriatic-Ionian Alliance for Sustainable Blue Economy for the Growth of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (Project ID: IPA-ADRION00284), co-financed by the Interreg IPA ADRION programme. The project aims to strengthen innovation capacities in the Adriatic-Ionian region
Through the public call, the ABBA project will select 30 promising innovators who will benefit from tailored innovation services, capacity building, and transnational open innovation activities. The ABBA Public Call was launched on 20.06.2025 with the aim of identifying and supporting 30 early-stage deeptech innovators from the Adriatic-Ionian region. Selected candidates will receive innovation support services as part of the ABBA project, co-financed by the Interreg IPA ADRION programme.
Eligible candidates:
- Small and medium-sized enterprises
- Startups
- Spin-offs
- Research teams
- Entrepreneurial teams
- Researchers
- Entrepreneurs
Blue economy sectors:
- Port activities
- Maritime transport
- Renewable marine energy
- Sustainable aquaculture and fisheries
- Shipping
- Shipbuilding and ship repair
- Blue bioeconomy and biotechnology
ABBA challenges to be addressed:
Solutions should focus on one or (at most two) of the following ABBA challenges:
- Addressing sea level rise, extreme weather events and coastal erosion caused by climate change
- Promoting marine energy efficiency through renewable energy sources or alternative fuels
- Advancing circular economy practices in maritime and coastal industries
- Combating overfishing and ensuring sustainable management of marine biodiversity
- Supporting sustainable maritime spatial planning and environmental protection
- Promoting solutions for the digitalization and automation of ports and vessels to reduce emissions • Promoting network integration to overcome infrastructure gaps
- Promoting green shipbuilding and repair processes
What will you get?
Selected innovators will benefit from a support package designed to:
- Enhance their innovation capacities through tailored mentoring and diagnostics
- Improve their business and technological readiness with expert guidance in product development, market fit and commercialization
- Identify and connect with strategic partners across borders for joint development and scaling
- Participate in transnational open innovation activities, including matchmaking, networking and co-design of research and development concepts
- Strengthen their technical, commercial, legal and financial skills relevant to innovation and technology transfer
- Gain visibility and access to new markets through the ABBA ecosystem and its partners
What do we need from you?
- Willingness to cooperate
- Time commitment
- Openness to innovation
- Motivated team
Key dates for the public call:
- Call publication: 20.06.2025.
- Application deadline: 21.07.2025.
- Announcement of selected beneficiaries: 12.09.2025.
- Service delivery period: 09.2025. – 05.2026.
How to apply
To apply, you must submit:
- Completed online application form in English (including the online Declaration of Honour)
- Optional Pitch Deck or supporting materials
More information about the public call at the links:
ABBA-Open-Call-Guidelines-for-Applicants
ABBA-Open-call-Application-Template
For all questions, contact the BiH Blue Centre of Excellence at SERDA by e-mail: maja@serda.ba
