AZA4ICE

Project overview:

Programme: Interreg Euro-MED Programme 2021–2027
AZA4ICE project combined spatial planning, stakeholder participation and circular business models to advance sustainable aquaculture in coastal and inland waters, including the Šasko Lake pilot area. Visit project photo gallery: LINK.

My contribution:

Contracted by: Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro
Geographical scope: Montenegro

My responsibilities included:

• Stakeholder mapping and engagement: Mapping quintuple-helix stakeholders representing education, business, environmental interests, civil society/media and public authorities; analysing challenges and opportunities for circular aquaculture.

• LiRRIE development and facilitation: Supporting the development of a shared vision and establishment of the LiRRIE Forum; organising and moderating participatory events to inform the co-creation of Allocated Zones for Circular Aquaculture (C-AZA).

• Circular economy assessment: Collecting and documenting circular aquaculture practices and business models, identifying business opportunities, and reviewing relevant legal and regulatory frameworks.

• Action planning: Supporting the development of Montenegro’s action plan for an inclusive and circular aquaculture sector, incorporating stakeholder feedback and alignment with Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3).

• Institutional cooperation and transfer: Facilitating stakeholder engagement for Memoranda of Understanding and preparing a transfer plan to support the uptake, adaptation and institutional integration of project results.

• Awareness and learning: Providing stakeholder-informed inputs for the AZA4ICE educational board game and comic book.

Selected results:

• Helped establish and operationalise Montenegro’s Living Responsible Research and Innovation Ecosystem (LiRRIE) for circular aquaculture at Šasko Lake through quintuple-helix stakeholder mapping, analysis of sector challenges and opportunities, and a jointly agreed development vision.

• Secured Declarations of Participation from six organisations, supporting the launch and operation of the LiRRIE stakeholder forum.

• Supported four consultation and training events, moderated stakeholder discussions, and delivered training on circular aquaculture and business transformation, including application of the BLUEfasma circularity self-assessment tool.

• Prepared the stakeholder evaluation report on the AZA4ICE methodology and Allocated Zones for Circular Aquaculture (C-AZA), documenting and analysing feedback from public authorities, businesses and citizens.

• Compiled circular aquaculture business practices, business opportunities and support mechanisms, and developed educational and training materials.

• Prepared Montenegro’s Circular Aquaculture Action Plan, translating scientific findings and stakeholder priorities into six coordinated actions: capacity building; a proposed freshwater Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) demonstration pilot; community circularity initiatives; environmental monitoring and safeguards; business support and financing; and inclusive governance.

• Prepared the final LiRRIE report, consolidating consultation outcomes, stakeholder evaluations and lessons learned, and facilitated Memoranda of Understanding supporting continued cooperation and future implementation.

• Developed Montenegro’s transferability plan, identifying opportunities, enabling conditions and practical pathways for replicating AZA4ICE methodologies, tools and governance approaches in other territories and sectors.