The Institute for Methods Innovation (IMI) conducted a transnational survey as part of the ATLIC project to better understand the state of the Blue Economy across Portugal, Spain, France, and Ireland. Covering sectors such as tourism, aquaculture, and clean energy, the study collected 546 responses, offering a comprehensive picture of the challenges and opportunities shaping the region’s ocean-based industries.
A clear message emerged from the findings: young people are positioned as one of the sector’s greatest assets. Respondents highlighted youth as a source of innovation, adaptability, and entrepreneurial energy—qualities essential for accelerating sustainable blue-economy growth. However, the survey also reveals that this potential remains underutilised. Participants pointed to the need for more targeted support structures, better-defined career pathways, and stronger communication efforts to attract and retain young talent.
When exploring barriers to achieving blue-economy goals, several critical themes stood out. Climate and environmental risks remain at the forefront, accompanied by regulatory complexity and persistent financial constraints. Labour shortages and broader human-capital challenges continue to slow progress, while insufficient infrastructure, limited innovation support, and weak commercialisation pathways delay new initiatives. Respondents also underscored softer systemic issues, including low public awareness, coordination difficulties, and gaps in data and evidence.
Given that a key ambition of the ATLIC project is the creation of the Atlantic Innovation Blue Community, these insights reaffirm the crucial role young people can play in generating new ideas and launching future blue-economy ventures. The project’s test-community participants are already developing prototypes and proof-of-concept solutions. Their innovations will be shared in the coming weeks at https://atlic.eu/en/
A clear message emerged from the findings: young people are positioned as one of the sector’s greatest assets. Respondents highlighted youth as a source of innovation, adaptability, and entrepreneurial energy—qualities essential for accelerating sustainable blue-economy growth. However, the survey also reveals that this potential remains underutilised. Participants pointed to the need for more targeted support structures, better-defined career pathways, and stronger communication efforts to attract and retain young talent.
When exploring barriers to achieving blue-economy goals, several critical themes stood out. Climate and environmental risks remain at the forefront, accompanied by regulatory complexity and persistent financial constraints. Labour shortages and broader human-capital challenges continue to slow progress, while insufficient infrastructure, limited innovation support, and weak commercialisation pathways delay new initiatives. Respondents also underscored softer systemic issues, including low public awareness, coordination difficulties, and gaps in data and evidence.
Given that a key ambition of the ATLIC project is the creation of the Atlantic Innovation Blue Community, these insights reaffirm the crucial role young people can play in generating new ideas and launching future blue-economy ventures. The project’s test-community participants are already developing prototypes and proof-of-concept solutions. Their innovations will be shared in the coming weeks at https://atlic.eu/en/
Publish date: 2025-12-11
