MED-Hubs is embarking on a 2-year journey to accelerate sustainable blue growth in the Western Mediterranean. Co-funded under EMFAF-2025-PIA-FLAGSHIP (Topic I3), the consortium will operate two interregional innovation hubs: one in Spain focused on marine renewable energy, and one in Italy focused on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.

The initiative is coordinated by Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT) with a core partnership of DEEP Ecosystems, Region de Murcia, Federación de Municipios de la Región de Murcia, ALDA – European Association for Local Democracy, Justonearth, Maltaccelerate, Venice Lagoon Plastic Free, Changemakers Agency, Asociación Centro Tecnológico Naval y del Mar (CTN), and Fabbrica Italiana dell’Innovazione.

The overall objective is to close the research-to-market gap by validating and scaling blue-economy solutions through S3-aligned testbeds, real-sea pilots, and demand activation with ports and public buyers. A “Trusted Pilots” approach will rigorously validate solutions in operating conditions to build buyer and investor confidence, while an Expansion Programme will support replication in additional regions.

The project will support the following activities:

• Open calls to source high-potential solutions from SMEs and startups; tailored upscaling via a “From Idea to Market” pathway.
• Access to laboratories and real-sea testbeds in Spain and Italy to validate prototypes and run pilot projects.
• Regulatory navigation, procurement pathways with public buyers, and investor readiness and matchmaking.
• Knowledge sharing and replication through an Observatory Panel and an Expansion Programme for other regions.