NEWS: Region of Western Greece Joins the Pact for Blue Skills in the Adriatic-Ionian Region
Region of Western Greece has taken a leading role in advancing the blue economy and workforce development across the Adriatic-Ionian macro-region by officially joining the Pact for Blue Skills in the Adriatic and Ionian Region.
This important development marks a significant milestone in strengthening regional cooperation for skills development, innovation, and sustainable growth in the blue economy sectors. As active member of the Pact, the Region of Western Greece will support the development of activities, facilitate collaboration among regional stakeholders, and contribute to the long-term implementation of the Pact’s objectives, fostering a skilled workforce capable of responding to the evolving needs of the blue economy.
The Pact for Blue Skills brings together public authorities, educational and research institutions, businesses, clusters, and social partners with the common goal of addressing current and future skills challenges in strategic blue economy sectors. Through enhanced cooperation, knowledge exchange, and targeted actions, the Pact seeks to bridge skills gaps, support green and digital transitions, and create new employment opportunities across the Adriatic-Ionian region.
The active involvement of the Region of Western Greece in the Pact is closely aligned with the objectives of the GROWTH4BLUE project. As Lead Partner of GROWTH4BLUE, the Region of Western Greece has been at the forefront of efforts to strengthen workforce transformation and promote high-tech innovation in the blue economy.
Through GROWTH4BLUE, regional and transnational stakeholders are working together to identify emerging labour market needs, map future skills requirements, and develop innovative solutions that enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of blue economy sectors. The project’s activities directly support the vision of the Pact for Blue Skills by fostering stronger links between education, research, industry, and public authorities.
At the same time, the assumption of the Permanent Secretariat by the Region of Western Greece represents an important achievement. The knowledge, networks, and collaborative mechanisms within the Pact provide a solid foundation for supporting the implementation of the regional priorities of the project partners and ensuring its long-term impact throughout the Adriatic-Ionian area.
Commenting on this achievement, Mr. Fokion Zaimis, Deputy Governor of Achaia Regional Unit of the Region of Western Greece and President of Balkan and Black Sea Commission, CPMR emphasized that investment in human capital is a prerequisite for unlocking the full potential of the blue economy. He highlighted that innovation, digitalisation, sustainability, and skills development must go hand in hand to create resilient coastal and maritime communities capable of addressing future economic and environmental challenges.
By assuming a key role within the Pact for Blue Skills, the Region of Western Greece further strengthens its position as a key actor in the implementation of macro-regional strategies and European initiatives that promote sustainable blue growth. This commitment reflects the Region’s broader vision of fostering innovation-driven development, enhancing employment opportunities, and building a future-ready workforce across the Adriatic-Ionian region.
The Region of Western Greece remains committed to supporting cooperation among regional and international partners and to advancing initiatives that contribute to a competitive, sustainable, and inclusive blue economy for the benefit of current and future generations.
About the Pact for Blue Skills in the Adriatic and Ionian Region
The Pact for Blue Skills is a collaborative initiative part of the Pact for Skills, one of the flagship actions of the European Skills Agenda. It is designed to strengthen skills development, capacity building, and workforce resilience across the blue economy sectors of the Adriatic-Ionian region. It promotes cooperation among governments, academia, industry, training providers, and civil society to support sustainable growth and innovation in maritime and coastal activities.