Speakers
Paula Di Iorio
European Projects and International Relations Unit of the Catalan Tourism Agency
Political scientist specializing in international politics, with a master's degree in internationalization and a postgraduate degree in European project management. She brings solid experience in consulting and managing innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation projects in the public and private sectors.
Currently, at the Catalan Tourism Agency, she coordinates the Interreg Euro-MED Regenera4MED project and also participates in other European projects such as PHOENIX 4.0.
Passionate about driving meaningful change through European cooperation, she strongly promotes the potential of the intersection between strategic planning, public funding, and territorial innovation. She is motivated by the transformative potential of collaborative governance and cross-sector partnerships to foster sustainable development, digital transition, and social impact.
Session:
- T04 - Management and decentralisation of tourism flows in maritime and blue destinations
- SE01 - Interreg projects in Blue Economy: present and future
SE01 - Interreg projects in Blue Economy: present and future
Organized by
Mediterranean Multi-Programme Mechanism (MMM)
Description
The Mediterranean Multi-Program Mechanism (MMM) brings together Interreg programs to collaborate more closely and make better use of resources in the Mediterranean region. Since its inception in 2022, eight programs covering 22 Mediterranean countries are already participating.
Given that the blue economy and sustainable tourism are intrinsically linked concepts, the Sun&Blue Congress represents an ideal opportunity to share good practices from the Mediterranean in the field of the blue economy and to promote meaningful dialogue on how to move forward in this sector. It also provides a platform to explore how Interreg programs and projects can contribute to the development of a healthy and sustainable blue economy in the Mediterranean, especially with a view to the post-2027 horizon.
The event will showcase good practices in the blue economy promoted by Interreg MMM, with high potential for scalability and/or replicability in the Mediterranean and other EU regions. It will be an opportunity for the public to discover new trends and innovative solutions in the blue economy and to exchange experiences with actors from the three shores of the Mediterranean.
Addressed to
Entrepreneurs, professionals offering innovative products/services in Blue Economy, researchers, staff of public bodies working on coastal topics, people interested on applying for funding.
Agenda
1. Introduction - Vincent Ernoux, Coordinator of the Interreg NEXT MED Programme Branch Office for the Western Mediterranean.
2. Keynote Speaker - José Manuel Camarero Benítez, Regional Secretary for Tourism of the Valencian Regional Government.
3. Sustainable Tourism in Interreg Mediterranean Programmes: Overview and State of Play - Valeria Cibrario, INTERACT Programme.
4. Round table: The present: Blue economy good practices and solutions.
- GREENMEDPORTS: Carbon Footprint Platform and Green Label Port Certification System - Beladjine Mohamed Boumediene, Université des Sciences et Technologies Mohamed Boudiaff, Algérie.
- SHARE4MED: Coalition Action Plan of Local Authorities for ocean and water preservation and restoration - Alessandra Azzola, DEDAGROUP, Italy.
- COMMUNITY4TOURISM. Josep Rodríguez. Head of Strategic Projects in the Tourism Services Department of the Barcelona Provincial Council.
- REGENERA4MED. Paula di Iorio, European Projects and International Relations Unit, Catalan Tourism Board, Spain.
- WEST MED Blue Economy Initiative: Inspiring Success stories in Blue Economy projects. Marta Pascual.Oceans & Sustainable Blue Economy - EU Spanish National Hub, WEST MED Initiative.
5. Round table: The future: How do you see the place for Blue Economy in Interreg Projects especially considering the new Multiannual Financial Framework proposal launched by the EC in 2025?
- Aldo Puleo. Programme Manager at Interreg NEXT MED Programme
- Axel Rodríguez. Project Officer. at Interreg EURO MED Programme
- Marta Pascual. Spanish National Hub for WestMED Initiative
6. Conclusions
Language
English