Boosting Research and Innovation Potential of the Adriatic Cross-border Area in a Joint Research Initiative led by Metris Research Centre
METRIS Plus project idea was elaborated under the leadership of the Istrian development agency (IDA) by five different Adriatic cross-border partner regions as the follow-up initiative of the previous Met.r.is. project that was successfully implemented by IDA and partners within Phare 2006 - New Adriatic Neighbourghood Programme. Within Met.r.is. project IDA and its partners set up research centre for metal industry in Istrian region and equipped it with essential scientific equipment and tools for base metal research and development activities. When exploring possible research development solutions for the named centre, some preliminary analyses were made on the international level. These analyses were related to problems and needs of research sector in the cross-border area and it brought to light that one of the main problems to be addressed is the lack of joint research and innovation initiatives between different relevant stakeholders in the involved territories and quality complete solutions. Basically it was established that the strategic value for the project is mainly to be found in the need to identify new solutions in the sector of environmental research and the correlated eco-innovations. In order to achieve this, the project summarizes and analyses joint problems and fosters the cooperation and networking among research, public, private and academic sector in the cross-border area. During the preliminary analyses phase IDA as lead beneficiary collected support letters to the project proposal, issued by local public companies dealing with environmental technologies, thus giving an added value to the project idea and ensuring successful project implementation. This Project consists of the series of analyses and case studies of current technologies and devices used as eco-filters in each partner region aiming at summarizing the joint problems affecting the whole Adriatic area. Based on collected data, partners will set up strategic goals in the field of environmental research aiming at eco-innovations of currently used technologies and devices. The joint pilot research action proposed in the project addresses the issue of improving technologies in small wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), by creating an eco-innovative concept and prototype of special filtering device made of metal materials. Small WWTP made in metal have functional, economical and environmental advantages over other construction materials solutions. One of the challenges in using metal as structural material is corrosion planning, prevention, analyses and treatment. Joint research project activities will be based upon these subjects. The prototype will be tested in vitro but also in real location. The issue of improving cross-border research capacity in the field of environmental research and innovation is important for the participating territories because aims at developing new technologies to be used, shared commonly and having a global impact. Moreover it contributes to the fact that the knowledge created in the project will be easily applicable, transferable and possible to use in other initiatives inside and outside of the proposed partnership. Promoting the availability and transfer of relevant knowledge related to the subject to all territories involved and beyond, will allow to solve the problem of disparities between regions and balance development possibilities in the involved sector. With reference to this, the whole Adriatic area will be positively affected and project sustainability will be ensured.