GROW AND ACCELERATE YOUR SMART PROJECTS IN NEW VALUE CHAINS OF THE EUROPEAN BLUE ECONOMY

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GALATEA is not just one of Neptune’s satellites or a marine nymph in Greek mythology, it is also the continuation of the ‘NEPTUNE, INNOSUP-1, the Blue Growth Accelerator’ which has successfully proven both its concept and method by achieving significant results in terms of SMEs supported, cross sectoral and cross border projects implemented and new value chains created. GALATEA aims at promoting cross-border and cross-sectoral collaborations between innovation actors, notably SMEs, in 4 key domains of Blue Growth with great potential of development and uptake of innovative solutions by businesses: Smart port, Smart ship, Smart shipyard, maritime surveillance. The construction of new value chains by the integration of technologies and know-how from ICT and aerospace communities is essential for the modernisation of those key economic sectors to be more efficient, greener and safer and to enhance their competitiveness at a global level. The EC has established ‘Blue Growth’ as the long-term strategy to support sustainable growth in the maritime sectors and as a means for achieving the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. This strategy focuses on both emerging and traditional maritime activities including those addressed by GALATEA. GALATEA brings together a strong network of clusters from 9 regions, representing ICT, aerospace and maritime industries, experienced in promoting and implementing cascade funding schemes. They cover 3 sea basins: Atlantic, Baltic and Mediterranean Seas. GALATEA will implement an open innovation environment to facilitate the emergence of ideas based on the identification of customer’s needs and will provide direct support for SMEs developing innovative projects addressing identified challenges, through targeted financial mechanisms and services. GALATEA will act directly on the industrial competitiveness of those sectors, with positive and sustainable impacts on EU growth and jobs in Blue Growth.