Our coastline, whose development primarily relies on tourism, is under increasing pressure from growing amounts of litter that negatively affect nature, environment and socio-economic aspects. To address this, Croatian and Italian partners have joined forces through the AWASTER Interreg project, aiming to drive positive societal changes.
– It is estimated that 80% of marine litter originates from land. Therefore, it is crucial to adopt the principles of circular waste management into business processes of the production sector as soon as possible, while also raising ecological awareness from early childhood, – emphasized Tea Kuzmičić Rosandić, project manager at Sunce.
On November 13 and 14, project partners met in Split to plan the next steps for Adriatic preservation. They also launched the Joint Training Program, aimed at educating project partners and key stakeholders on sustainable resource use. Partners include IRENA, Sunce Association, SINLOC SPA, LAG Eastern Venice, Municipality of Casarano and LAG 5. Beyond education, the program aims to ensure the project’s results endure beyond its conclusion.
AWASTER training program
Education is crucial for creating long-term changes that will ensure environmental preservation and reduce the negative impact of litter on the coastline. Through various educational activities, the project partners aim to engage diverse groups, including children and adults, in adopting circular resource management principles.
The first AWASTER training session, organised in Split, was focused on implementing circular educational schemes in schools. Participants explored interactive participatory learning methods, shared experiences from conducted workshops and learned how these methods can enhance ecological awareness among youth.
– It is important to instill the principles of circular economy from an early age. That’s why we will organize various educational activities for children of different age groups as part of the project, – said Andrea Poldrugovac from IRENA, project manager.
– Educators play a key role in raising ecological awareness among children and youth, so it is essential to educate them about various knowledge-transfer methods, – added Matea Taraš from Sunce, reflecting on a recent workshop for educators in Split-Dalmatia County.
The next training session will take place in Italy, focusing on enhancing business knowledge about circular economy approaches.
Education for the youngest: a key to a sustainable future
Schools in Split-Dalmatia county can expect more workshops for students and educators, alongside cleanup actions. Workshops in elementary schools will be organised across five regions and will educate students about the basics of circular principles. Participants will engage in interactive learning to understand the core principles of circular economy and their integration into daily life.
– We developed guidelines for implementing educational activities for educators. Students will have the opportunity to transfer acquired knowledge to their families and communities, spreading ecological awareness beyond schools. The project also includes cleanup actions and monitoring of collected marine litter, enabling further reuse and recycling, which is another step towards sustainability, – explained Kuzmičić Rosandić, presenting a document created by Sunce within the project framework.
– As part of the project, we will establish EcoLabs where children will learn through hands-on activities to create innovative products from plastic litter. Additionally, Waste Footprint app will be developed to track and reduce waste in daily activities. Emphasizing education of the youngest is critical for ensuring a sustainable future of Adriatic, – highlighted Poldrugovac from IRENA.
Educating the Business Sector
In addition to the educational sector, particular focus is also given to the business sector. Regional educational workshops will be organised with the aim of raising awareness among entrepreneurs, especially in production and tourism sector. These workshops will provide concrete guidance on improving resource productivity, reducing environmental impacts and creating sustainable business models based on circular economy principles.
– Given that most of the litter enters sea from the land, it is vital to educate the business sector that green and sustainable operations with minimized waste production are both possible and necessary for Adriatic preservation, – stated Sara Ferigo from SINLOC SPA.
– The first workshop in Split will take place on November 27, 2024. We invite all business stakeholders to participate in the panel discussion and workshop titled Business Sector for Sustainable Split: How Local Action Can Lead to Systemic Change?. More details about the location will be available on Sunce’s website. Interested participants can register early at [email protected], – announced Kuzmičić Rosandić.
The AWASTER project is funded by the Interreg Italy-Croatia Cross-Border Cooperation Program 2021–2027 and will be implemented in coastal areas of Croatia and Italy until the end of August 2026. If you see yourself as a key stakeholder in environmental protection, join our educational workshops and activities. Whether you are a teacher, student, entrepreneur or a community member, your involvement can contribute to creating a more sustainable future for the Adriatic. Register for our workshops and become a part of the change that shapes environmentally responsible future!
