Translated using ChatGPT service.
During the Cabinet of Ministers meeting on November 12, 2024, an informational report was approved regarding the participation of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) in the project “MarTe: Center of Excellence for Marine Technologies for a Sustainable Blue Economy in the Baltic Sea.” This initiative aims to foster innovation, sustainable technologies, and collaboration between science and business in the Baltic region.
Through collaboration among stakeholders from Latvia and Estonia—including academic institutions, government agencies, industry representatives, and non-governmental organizations—a research and innovation strategy will be developed. This strategy will provide a long-term roadmap for technological, social, and economic development in the blue economy. The project will also focus on revising regulatory sandbox frameworks in both Latvia and Estonia to promote innovation and facilitate access to marine areas for testing new technologies.
The MarTe project emphasizes the development of marine technologies and innovations, particularly in offshore renewable energy, smart port development, and marine environmental protection.
Latvia’s participants in the project include LIAA, the Kurzeme Planning Region, the Agency for Daugavpils University Latvian Institute of Hydroecology, NGOs such as the World Wide Fund for Nature, the Baltic Coasts Association, the Freeport of Ventspils, and Ventspils University of Applied Sciences. The project’s lead partner and coordinator is the Environmental Investment Centre of Estonia (Sihtasutus Keskkonnainvesteeringute Keskus).
LIAA’s activities in the project encompass a range of initiatives, including:
- Developing national research and innovation strategies by analyzing existing policies and providing recommendations.
- Mapping stakeholders and evaluating the innovation ecosystem and commercialization opportunities.
- Establishing a regulatory sandbox service and adapting legal frameworks to support marine monitoring technologies.
- Assessing the commercialization potential of blue economy innovations.
- Preparing action and investment plans for the marine economy, creating mentorship programs, and fostering coastal innovation and partnerships.
The project will be implemented from 2025 to 2028, with a total funding allocation of €4,999,823. Of this, €248,665 will be dedicated to LIAA’s activities. Supported by the Horizon Europe program under the sub-program “Centers of Excellence” (HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-07-01), the project aims to develop a joint Latvian-Estonian marine technology ecosystem. This will strengthen the blue economy, support startups, and enhance opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises.