The new project aims to enhance the Genova Blue District as a leading sustainable innovation hub for the Blue Economy. Backed by Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, the initiative seeks to foster collaboration among citizens, researchers, and businesses, working to solidify Genoa’s position as a global innovation hub.
This morning, in the Ligurian capital, the Municipality of Genoa unveiled its new four-year initiative entitled “Genoa from the Blue District to the Home of Technology: the Blue Line.” This ambitious project aims to enhance the Genova Blue District’s capability to aggregate and promote sustainable innovation in the Blue Economy sector. Strongly backed by Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, the project marks a significant step forward in the region’s economic growth and development, reaffirming Genoa’s status as a national and international innovation hub.
The “La Linea Blu” project builds on the success of the “Verso Ocean Race: Innovation, Sustainability, Enterprise” project, which ran from 2021 to 2023 and included a series of impactful actions aimed at fostering the economic and social development of the city.
The presentation press conference, held this morning in the Sala Levante of the Pavillon Jean Nouvel during the Boat Show, welcomed prominent figures from both institutions and the academic world. The event was attended by Silvia Biasotti of the Italian Research Council, Marco Giovine, President of the University of Genoa’s Sea Centre, Alessandro Clavarino of the Regional Education Department, Lorenzo Cuocolo, Chair of Fondazione Amga and Fondazione Carige, along with various representatives from Genoa’s institutions..
In his address, Alberto Anfossi, Secretary General of Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, underscored the organisation’s pivotal role in the project’s implementation:
“FCSP has long been committed to supporting the Genoa area, particularly through our collaboration with the Municipality and the University of Genoa,” sayw Alberto Anfossi, Secretary General of Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo. “This project marks a significant advancement in our journey, which began in 2019 with the Genova Blue District, aimed at establishing Genoa as a leader in sustainable innovation within the blue economy.”
The innovation pathway that culminated in the creation of “Genoa from the Blue District to the Home of Technology” was paved by the “Verso Ocean Race: Innovation, Sustainability, Enterprise” initiative, a project which commenced in 2022 with a Call for Innovation that sought innovative solutions in critical areas such as materials, energy, and accessibility in marine sports. From a total of 46 proposals submitted, 63% of which originated from outside Liguria, nine were chosen for funding and support, underscoring the robust interest in the blue economy and innovation.
In 2023, the inauguration of the Innovation Village at Porto Antico, during the Ocean Race final, showcased a selection of innovative solutions, fostering a dialogue between innovative solutions and the needs of the local community.
The “La Linea Blu” project is now poised to further enhance the role of the Genova Blue District by establishing a permanent collaborative space for citizens, researchers and businesses. This hybrid space will serve as the beating heart of innovation, featuring laboratories and cutting-edge solutions aimed at engaging at least 40,000 people and showcasing 20 innovative solutions in the permanent exhibition.
The project also includes a connection with the Casa delle Tecnologie Emergenti di Genova-Opificio Digitale per la cultura, broadening the innovation model and involving 50 local stakeholders in 20 events focused on 5G and STEM, with the involvement of around 20,000 people.
Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo reaffirms its commitment to being a key supporter of the local innovation ecosystem. As part of a framework protocol signed with the Municipality of Genoa, FCSP has allocated a contribution of €500,000 to “La Linea blu” adding to the total contribution of €2.3 million made to the Genova Blue District from 2020 to date
FCSP’s commitment as an ecosystem developer is focused on solidifying Genoa’s status as an international innovation hub, emphasising skills development, technology transfer, and innovation driven by green and digital initiatives.
“La Linea Blu” marks a significant milestone in this endeavour, emerging from a strong collaboration between the Municipality of Genoa, the University and local stakeholders, all united by the mission of enhancing the competitiveness and dynamism of the “Italian System“.
For further information, please read the press release available at this link.