LAB-BLUE: Regional Lab for Co-Creation and innovation in Sustainable Blue Economy by Università di Bologna

The LAB-BLUE initiative proposes the creation of a regional “train lab” that acts as an integrated observatory and co-creation space to support informed governance of a sustainable blue economy in Emilia-Romagna. Building on interdisciplinary collaboration and participatory methods, the project aims to overcome fragmented knowledge by collecting and organizing economic, social, environmental, and market data related to fisheries and aquaculture, tourism, energy, and ecosystem services. A new digital platform will centralize and visualize these datasets, enabling data-driven planning, predictive analyses, and improved early-warning and monitoring capabilities. LAB-BLUE will also promote joint strategy design with local stakeholders, support innovation in blue-economy value chains, and deliver training activities to strengthen skills across sectors. Expected impacts include more resilient coastal systems, better-informed public policies, stronger collaboration between institutions, industry, and civil society, and direct contributions to Mission Ocean 2030 objectives. Potential obstacles—such as fragmented information systems, limited stakeholder engagement, and long-term financial sustainability—will be addressed through open-data standards, participatory governance models, partnership agreements, and diversified funding. The initiative foresees a broad, multi-level partnership involving universities and research institutes, public authorities, businesses, NGOs, and local communities, establishing LAB-BLUE as a permanent regional infrastructure for innovation and knowledge integration in the blue economy.