Blue Growth Leaders’ Academy
A change is coming.
While organisations are still scrambling for the best ways to tackle sustainability issues, our programme aims to provide reliable blueprints for a clear path to smart city and sustainable port development with a focus on the blue growth economy.
In the face of imminent transformations, what will your role be?
Join us to become a catalyst for positive change!
Our mission
BLUE GROWTH LEADERS’ ACADEMY (BGLA) aims to encourage academy-associated partners’ synergy by providing new topical knowledge and skills that support the foundation and development of strategic partnerships.
After completing the course participants will:
Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the principles and concepts of sustainable city and port management as part of blue growth strategies.
Build confidence and skills necessary for collaboration on business projects that rely on scientific knowledge and technology designed for digital transformations.
Evaluate various coastal recreational zone management strategies and policies, creating an appeal to diverse stakeholders.
Understand the challenges and opportunities associated with sustainable development and alternative energy management in coastal areas.
Foster effective communication and collaboration among diverse stakeholders (including government agencies, local communities, industry partners and public sector organisations) to achieve sustainable blue growth.
Be able to support and contribute to the strategic objectives of their organisations with confidence.
Sustainable City Stream learning outcomes
- Understand and evaluate smart mobility solutions, including public transportation systems, intelligent traffic management, and the integration of emerging technologies like autonomous vehicles.
- Analyse and propose energy-efficient solutions within the context of smart cities, including the implementation of renewable energy sources, smart grids, and energy conservation measures.
- Address the unique needs and preferences of a mobile workforce in the process of developing strategies for attracting and retaining talent in smart cities.
- Explore the role of technology and urban planning in the creation of attractive living and working environments.
Sustainable Port Stream learning outcomes
- Explore the impact of digitalisation on maritime industries: analyse the adoption of various technologies and data analytics for enhancing efficiency and sustainability in the marine environment.
- Investigate breakthrough technologies and innovations in alternative energy sources for maritime transport by exploring the feasibility and potential impact of renewable energy solutions such as wind, solar, and hydrogen.
- Examine advancements in energy storage and distribution technologies applicable to the blue economy and assess how these innovations contribute to sustainable energy practices in maritime activities.
- Gain an understanding of sustainable aquaculture practices, including responsible farming techniques, water quality management, and minimising environmental impact.
- Explore current market trends in aquaculture, including the rising demand for sustainable seafood, innovations in aquaculture technology, and the integration of aquaculture into the broader blue economy.
The audience we are targeting at
Individuals from HEIs/research centres, businesses, and public sector organisations keen on expanding their partnerships and cooperation with the R&I sector in different areas. The course is designed for two target groups from the public and private sectors:
- Managers from public organisations (local authority, cluster, etc.) and port-related organisations;
- Researchers interested in the field of blue growth, port activities and sustainable cities.
All participants will get access to any topic of their interest.
Participants’ profile
BGLA aims to create an actively performing network of talents that would create synergies for future projects. Therefore, the course will provide not only the knowledge but also the skills necessary for participatory cooperation, teamwork, and presentation of ideas.
Participants shall meet the following criteria:
- Fluency in English
- Effective communication skills
- Relevant research or job experience and/or interest in addressing business or societal challenges
- Interest in or working within the field of SmUCS (Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability)
Course agenda
Online
Introduction to the course: the aims, course flow, the introduction of speakers and topics, and outcomes. (For all participants)
As the first step, the session will prioritise proper introduction of participants, their professional background, and motivations for the course. In addition, the facilitator will present the course structure, teaching formats and expected outcomes. Our experts will join us for a short live personal introduction and preview of their teaching module.
Sustainable City Stream
Online
Blue growth foresight: scenarios for innovation & business strategy
Dr. Spaniol will revisit some of the challenges encountered during the transition to a sustainable blue economy and introduce strategic foresight as a means to unlock solutions and overcome these challenges. We’ll open the toolbox of strategic foresight and collaborate in online workspaces together to chart the pathways for development in the future.
- Develop a sense of the challenges in sustainable blue economy
- Gain hands-on experience with tools of strategic foresight
- Learn how to future-proof your organisation and projects
Online
Smart City/Region (mobility, energy, staff (attracting and retaining talent – nomads))
This course provides an initial exploration of the concept of smart cities, focusing on the initiatives that are shaping urban development in the 21st century. By the end of the course, participants will have gained the knowledge and insights needed to navigate the complexities of smart city development, identify opportunities for innovation, and contribute to building more sustainable and resilient urban communities.
Online
Sustainable Tourism: Ideas shaping the industry
What Makes Blue Sustainability in Tourism?
Sustainable certifications, SDG17 objectives, ESG reporting, sustainable tourism, regenerative tourism, double regeneration. Concepts and approaches that have been shaping both developments and operations in tourism and hospitality. How can these concepts be translated to governance, policy making, and city planning? How can local governments initiate, incentivise, and monitor private sector development and operations that champion destination sustainability? Is sustainable tourism the same as sustainable destination? We discuss approaches, challenges and tools.
Online
Digital transformation (digitalisation) and Artificial Intelligence for sustainable management
Core concepts & underpinning technologies that are used in sustainable management. Solutions and examples that are or to be applied in public sectors of local governmental bodies, NVOs, etc. Success and lessons learned.
Sustainable Port Stream
Online
Introduction to Blue Economy. Focus on present and future market opportunities (fundamental – maritime transport)
The module will deliver a concise, in-depth overview of the Blue Economy and emerging market opportunities. One of the objectives is to stimulate interest in the Blue Economy and create opportunities for the participants to collaborate.
Online
Digitalisation of the marine environment
Digitalisation ecosystem formation and models. Impacts and risks of automation. New features in logistic solutions. Goals of sustainable development, potential initiatives to be followed. IoT, DLT, AI converge to mitigate data biases and cope with data growth and falling resources.
Online
Energy. New frontiers for blue economy. Breakthrough technologies in blue economy (Use of Alternative Energy)
A crunch for affordable energy has never been so acute given the current geopolitical and climate tensions. The speaker will introduce the group to various groundbreaking energy-generating technologies. Although it is hard to predict what technologies will take the center of the stage and deserve the investment of money and attention, it is critically important to know about the development of the sector. Will there be interesting business opportunities? This module completes learning activities related to the specific Blue Economy disciplines and market sectors.
Online
Aquaculture
This module is dedicated to gaining knowledge about potential market opportunities in the Blue Aquaculture industries. The session will provide an understanding of the following areas: Blue Aquaculture potential, EU Blue Growth strategy, and blue aquaculture market overview. The trainer and participants will discuss the production and uses of marine aquaculture products: food and feeding, bioinspired materials, medicine, and bioremediation. The teams will be introduced to information about the identification of novel compounds, screening of marine-derived extracts, and exploring aquacultural activities and functions.
Final Live Event
Live meeting
Generated projects based on course material
The last module is a festive culmination of the program. It is a practical, hands-on workshop designed to help the participants apply their knowledge and receive feedback. The session is designed as a sandbox for applying our knowledge to find a solution for a local challenge. The participants will work on pitch deck presentations and deliver them live.
Trainers
Vaidotas Levickis
Throughout nearly 20 years of experience in organizational development and strategic planning, Vaidas developed high-performance teams and initiated continuous improvement projects across diverse industries and countries. He and his colleagues received the 1st place ECIE 2015 Teaching Innovation and Entrepreneurship Excellence Award in Bologna, Italy. His teaching and consulting projects have allowed him to collaborate with professionals from Norway, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and the USA.
Matthew Spaniol
M.J. Spaniol is an Assistant Professor of Strategic Foresight in the Department of People and Technology at Roskilde University (Denmark). His research on foresight in transportation and blue economies has appeared in outlets such as Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Futures, Marine Policy, and the Journal of Cleaner Production. He serves on the editorial board of Futures and Foresight Science and has over a decade of experience in executive education and facilitating future-focused workshops across policy, regional development, business ecosystems, offshore, cybersecurity, business models, and more.
Oana Luca
Oana Luca is a professor with over 25 years of experience at the Technical University of Civil Engineering in Bucharest. She has led and participated in various projects related to urban and regional development, health, human capital, procurement, waste management, sustainable transport and mobility, and sustainable energy. She has also developed guidelines, handbooks, and manuals for communities. Oana is an urban mobility auditor and expert evaluator for infrastructure and research development and innovation projects.
Laszlo Puzcko
Laszlo Puczko has over 25 years of experience in destination and product development, marketing, and impact assessment. He was a manager at KPMG, advising on over 100 projects. He presents at international conferences on topics like competitive product development and the role of travel in wellbeing. Puczko is a trainer of marketing and product development and has written benchmark books and articles. He holds a PhD in Environmental Impacts of Tourism from Budapest University of Economics and is a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) and Past President of the Association of Tourism Consultants in Hungary.
Andrius Sutnikas
Business Development Manager Coordinator at WESTERN BALTIC ENGINEERING, Coordinator of Lithuanian Maritime Cluster. Throughout the last 10+ years, Andrius gained and shared his experience in various international projects, establishing clusters and competence centers, and supporting initiatives that contribute to the development of the blue economy, such as the Blue Growth Leaders Academy program. A.Sutnikas is an internationally recognized expert in the field of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and a speaker at industry events.
Jan Klaiber
A lecturer at the University of Rostock (Germany), working on various IT solutions, as a mentor for entrepreneurship and emerging startups, founder & CEO at Digital Innovationszentrum Rostock GmbH & ProMedTec Germany, expert for Life-Science, Startup Funding and Financing.
Kangki-Lee
Professor Kang-Ki LEE is senior vice president responsible for High Power Systems at AVL List GmbH in Austria since 2019, managing director of AVL Zöllner Marine GmbH in Kiel, Germany, vice chair at CIMAC GHG Strategy WG, and a member of Go-LNG Baltic Sea, New Logistics Technology. He is also a project leader of World’s first LNG-fueled ship development for Northern America and the World’s first & largest LNG-fueled bulk carrier upon IMO IGF Code and leading Green Energy Center. Professor Kang-Ki LEE served as a professor of internal combustion engine and power systems at Korea Maritime & Ocean University, and as a project leader on a new technology validation program from 2012 till 2018.
Jeronimo Chirivella
Prof. Chirivella holds a PhD in Fish Parasitology and has 10+ years of experience in fish farming. He teaches Aquaculture and Aquatic Animal Health in Marine Science and Veterinary Medicine at Valencia Catholic University, and also leads a research team focused on the production of aquatic living resources by using Aquaculture.
