There is a drone patrolling the sea. There is aquaponics arriving at the gates of Rome. There is a laboratory trying to put logistics back into circulation. Three stories far apart from one another, a single word holding them together: blue. Three stories to understand what the Blue Ambassador Award is — the national recognition for sustainable innovation promoted by Fondazione ITSSIxellence with Mar Ets in collaboration with Alis. And there is an extra month to participate: applications, free and online, remain open until August 31. The Award has received the endorsement of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security and the Lazio Region.
What makes the Blue Ambassador Award different from other sustainability recognitions is who bestows it. Students from ITS programmes are not passive observers: they coordinate the Youth Jury, handle communications, and evaluate the impact of projects alongside the committee of experts, institutions and businesses. An award in which those who inherit the future contribute to choosing it.
Projects compete in seven categories, reflecting how broad the field is:
Circular and regenerative economy; Logistics, sustainable mobility and systemic connections; Blue Social Responsibility; Territorial marketing, inclusive and sustainable sport, culture and tourism; Ecosystemic Communication and Ocean Literacy.
They are evaluated against concrete parameters: innovation and environmental, economic and social impact; originality; stakeholder engagement; effectiveness of results; capacity to be replicated elsewhere. The recognised organisations join the Ambassador Community — the national network of Blue Economy businesses, professionals and innovators — and the Yearbook of excellence. "With 'Blue' we are not only talking about the sea, but about an economic model that brings together innovation, growth, social inclusion and responsibility towards future generations," explains Laura Castellani, Director of Fondazione ITSSIxellence. "The most profound transformations do not arise solely from major investments: they are born from the choices that businesses, professionals and communities make every day when they decide to take new paths. More than awarding a prize, we want to build a community of innovators capable of inspiring others."
Founded in 2020 by Fondazione ITSSIxellence with the Association MAR — Association for Marine and Research Activities — and grown within the Blue Planet Economy Expoforum, in 2026 the Award becomes a more open and cross-cutting annual programme, in collaboration with ALIS — Association for Sustainable Intermodal Logistics. Edition partners: Blueconomy.online and Echo Labs.
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