Project: TRAIN4BLUE – Training, upskilling and entrepreneurship for smart careers in the BLUE economy sector of the programme area
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The TRAIN4BLUE project addresses one of the most pressing challenges in the blue economy of the Greece–Italy Programme area: the mismatch between the sector’s growing demand for skilled professionals and the high rates of young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETs), which exceed the EU average in both countries. This skills gap limits the ability of coastal and island communities to fully benefit from the opportunities offered by sustainable blue growth.

TRAIN4BLUE establishes a shared cross-border framework for blue skills development and employability. Partners from Italy and Greece will co-create and deliver four training programmes and four entrepreneurial learning pathways, complemented by mentorship activities for young participants. A key innovation is the development of an AI-driven platform that uses real-time labour market data (e.g., job postings, sector trends) to identify emerging skill needs and provide a Personalized Learning Recommender System, ensuring that training remains relevant and adaptive.

The project also promotes systemic cooperation across the blue economy ecosystem. Through a multi-actor participatory process, partners will map training needs, co-design actions with local stakeholders, and test four pilot actions (RCO84) in different regions. Contamination labs will foster interdisciplinary learning and innovation, while a joint training scheme will strengthen education providers. The consortium will produce a Roadmap for new training schemes and replicability (RCO116) and a Joint Action Plan (RCO83), supported by a shared data platform (RCO116) for skills and job market analysis.

Expected results (RCR104) include improved employability and skills of at least 200 young NEETs and 100 vulnerable individuals, enhanced cross-border training capacities, and the adoption of joint solutions by local and regional authorities. The project will foster sustainable employment opportunities, support SMEs and entrepreneurs, engage at least 30 local authorities and 20,000 citizens through outreach, and strengthen the regional blue economy ecosystem. Ultimately, TRAIN4BLUE will provide a replicable model for aligning education, employment, and innovation with EU blue growth priorities, ensuring lasting economic, social, and environmental benefits across the Programme area.