Traditional industry sectors are the backbone for regional economy, but they suffer from pressure resulting from the environment impact. Maritime transport is vital for regional development and in the entire EU, since approx. 90% of goods destined for markets other than the EU is supported by maritime transport. Maritime related activities that of transport and shipbuilding, energy producing & energy utilization as well as coastal tourism incl. small-scale infrastructure (yachting and cruising) are forced to search for new innovative and sustainable solutions as a result of environmental pressure (e.g. to reduce greenhouse and other emissions), to comply with new policy regulations for transport and related activities and to change the negative or ZERO innovation performance according to the recent JRC Technical Report on Blue Growth and Smart Specialization (2016).

CTCC improves innovation performance of key target group – minimum 200 Danish, German, Polish, Lithuanian and Swedish small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) from the South Baltic Sea Region (SBSR) until 30th June 2020 from three targeted traditional manufacturing sectors that contribute to blue and green growth improved innovation of traditional SMEs is achieved by engaging in cross-sectorial collaboration with 100 freelances, start-ups and SMEs from three Creative Industries. Project delivers four cross-border solutions for innovation development, management & exploitation: 1) triple-helix creative-business partnership and creative brokering platform facilitating innovation; 2) cross-sectoral innovation training methodology; 3) 30 specific demand-driven innovation solutions for traditional SMEs and regions, such as environmentally-friendly and ergonomic ship design, simulators for maritime applications; improved secure and safe navigation signs at harbors and coastal areas; and 4) four sustainable self-running and financing mechanisms for developed models exploitation beyond the project life.