BlueRev Project Explored the Future of Blue Bioresource Based Innovation in Estonia

Through stakeholder collaboration and research-driven methodologies, the EU-funded initiative has been working on how to support blue biobased innovation while addressing environmental and regulatory challenges unique to the Baltic Sea.

The pilot regions of the project included Sicily, Denmark and Greenland and Saaremaa in Estonia. The Estonian hub of BlueRev focused on co-developing new sustainable business models for the cultivation and processing of macroalgae, and other blue bioresources and exploring integrated multitrophic aquaculture systems. Furcellaria lumbricalis, a red alga has been historically used to produce furcellaran in Saaremaa. Today, local enterprises are advancing its applications and exploring its potential as biostimulants, the use of processing byproducts as alternatives to plastic, as well as potential use of different macroalgae species in cosmetics, food and other industries.   

Collaboration across academia, SMEs, the public sector and civil society helped identify key obstacles to innovation. These including the environmental constraints stemming from the low salinity and the environmental condition of the Baltic Sea, lengthy permit procedures, and limited investment access. In response, BlueRev partners proposed exploration of social innovation opportunities and governance model. 

The Estonia pilot also outlined specific “to-dos” for regulators, educators, industry, and consumers to help scale value chains. These include updating vocational and university-based training, supporting fair resource access, simplifying regulatory procedures, and raising awareness about the ecological and cultural significance of local blue bioresources.

These efforts are now informing a broader strategy to build circular marine economies based on blue bioresource valorization. A short video explains the rationale of this initiative and captures Estonia´s best practice identified
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LB_56aWaAQlink opens in new page  

All the knowledge generated in BlueRev including business models, governance recommendations, social innovation cases, and communication guidelines, are publicly available and free to access, and can be accessed on the project’s website in the page https://www.bluerevproject.eu/results/link opens in new page. Moreover, the project’s online Support Tool https://support-tool.bluerevproject.eu/link opens in new page offers webinars, training content, and self-paced courses for stakeholders interested in replicating these approaches in their own regions.

About BlueRev

BlueRev is a Horizon Europe funded project aiming to revitalise local communities through innovative bio-based business models and social innovation in the blue economy. By working with pilot regions in Denmark & Greenland, Italy, and Estonia, the project promotes sustainable use of aquatic biomass, supports circular value chains, and fosters collaboration across sectors.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101060537.