2024-2026

Funding programme: Interreg Euro-MED
Programme Priority: Greener MED
Project mission: Strengthening an innovative sustainable economy
Programme Specific Objective: RSO2.6: Promoting the transition to a circular and resource efficient economy
Project start: 1st of January 2024
Project activities end: 30th of June 2026
Duration: 33 Months
Budget: 2.962.186,00 €
11 Partners from 8 countries (Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Croatia, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Portugal)
20 Associated Partners from 13 countries (Italy, Montenegro, Spain, Greece, Bulgaria, Croatia, Belgium, Portugal, Tunisia, Egypt, United Kingdom, Morocco, Jordan)

The AZA4ICE Project addresses the sustainability challenges of aquaculture in the Euro-Mediterranean area promoting inclusive and circular practices. AZA4ICE relies on transnational cooperation and cross-border knowledge exchange to pioneer circular aquaculture spatial planning beyond existing coastal sea area practices; defining and testing the Allocated Zones for Circular Aquaculture in close-to-coast and inland waters. Through stakeholder engagement and the development of Action Plans, the project fosters dialogue and creates new business opportunities while building an eco-conscious society. AZA4ICE outputs will be valorised by public authorities, the private sector and academia for the benefit of society.

Background



Aquaculture contributes significantly to economic development and employment in the Euro-MED area. It is challenging to change the current linear economy model (take-make-waste) that is traditionally followed by the sector and aggravates the resources’ depletion; and substitute it with CE practices which prevent the depletion by closing energy-material loops supporting business symbiosis

Partners

The University of Patras is the lead partner (LP) of this project which includes other 10 partners from 8 countries in the MED area:

1.        Region of Ionian Islands – Greece (EL)
2.       IMC Foundation- International Marine Centre- Italy (IT)
3.       Andalusian Research & Training Institute of Agriculture, Fisheries, Agrifood & ecological production - Spain (ES)
4.      Pôle Mer Méditerranée - Business and Innovation Maritime Cluster - Toulon Var Technology - France (FR)
5.       Public Institution Development Agency of Sibenik-Knin County- Croatia (HR)
6.      Adria Innovation Harbour - Croatia (HR)
7.      Dynamic Vision - Greece (EL)
8.      Institute of Fish Resources - Bulgaria (BG)
9.      Chamber of Economy of Montenegro - Montenegro  (ME)
10.   Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere, P.I. - Portugal (PT)