As part of the Marine Litter Free Dalmatian Island project, we joined forces with the Novi otok and Miki Trasi associations on Korčula and Pučišća Elementary School on Brač to actively address the issue of marine litter.
The beginning of the project and a beautiful collaboration
To understand the problem and explore the possibilities of participating in Sunce’s activities, we started the project with a webinar on monitoring the composition and quantity of marine litter. Representatives from various institutions and organizations participated as interested potential partners. To contribute to the preservation of the sea and coastline, we agreed to jointly organize at least one clean-up action within the local community, sign an Agreement, and conduct marine litter monitoring.
Fighting marine litter through project activities
Each kilogram of litter less in the sea is a step closer to our goal – a cleaner and healthier Adriatic. We organized four clean-up actions on three different islands (Drvenik Veli, Korčula, and Brač), collecting over 300 kilograms of various waste. Besides on-the-ground efforts, we held two educational workshops about marine litter at Pučišća Elementary School and Vela Luka Elementary School.
Advocacy for a better future
For employees and other interested island stakeholders, we organized two communication and advocacy workshops. The aim of these workshops was to help local associations develop the knowledge and skills needed to inform the public about their efforts and dedication to environmentally responsible behavior within their communities.
As a collective response to the conditions we observed during the project, we created a poster titled “Our Place Without Waste“. This poster aims to raise awareness among the local community about waste pollution, helping each individual to grasp the extent of pollution and start changing their daily habits, eventually influencing others as well. The Novi Otok and Miki Trasi associations on Korčula and Pučišća Elementary School on Brač posted the poster on local bulletin boards within their communities. Additionally, we shared the poster on social media to raise broader public awareness of this urgent issue.
At the end of the project, islanders sent letters to their local authorities, highlighting the need to reduce the use of single-use plastics as one of the most effective ways to act. In Pučišća, they proposed measures to limit the use of single-use plastic products and to conduct an informative and promotional campaign. In Vela Luka, they advocated for regular educational workshops, improved waste management infrastructure, and increased regulation and inspection. To address the issue collectively, we involved key stakeholders by sending letters to local governments, municipal services, and tourist boards.
A student’s experience as an active participant
Borna, a student at the Faculty of Economics in Split, joined the project through a community-based learning program. With the support of Sunce, Borna organized a beach clean-up in Pučišća. Read on to find out how Borna managed, how challenging it was to organize the clean-up, and whether he was satisfied with the experience.
How did you get involved in the project?
I joined the Marine Litter Free Dalmatian Island project by chance. Through the community-based learning program at the Faculty of Economics, I came into contact with the Sunce association. Sunce gave me the freedom to engage as I wanted with their support. Through this collaboration, I decided to join the project and, together with Matea Taraš from Sunce, we started organizing a beach clean-up in Pučišća on the island of Brač.
How did you plan and implement the desired activities?
After a lot of planning and brainstorming on how to realize the project, we finally arranged with the elementary school and carried out our plan. The first step was to create promotional materials to involve people from the local community, and then volunteers from Split joined us. On the day of the clean-up action, children from Pučišća Elementary School joined us.
How satisfied are you with the project?
The project was successful – we collected over 100 kg of litter and taught the children the importance of waste sorting. I am glad we contributed to a cleaner environment for the residents of Pučišća. This experience was fulfilling because I saw how important collective effort is in achieving goals. I realized how vital it is to engage and actively contribute to your community, and I also gained valuable organizational and communication skills.
What would you highlight as crucial in the context of your participation in the project?
Through this project, I learned the importance of collaboration, both with local authorities and schools, as well as with volunteers and colleagues from the association. Overall, this was an extremely fulfilling experience that I would gladly repeat. I must thank the principal and the school custodian who transported us by boat and car to less accessible beaches, as well as the children from Pučišća Elementary School who tirelessly helped us clean the beaches.
We thank everyone who contributed to the success of the project, especially Pučišća Elementary School, the Novi Otok and Miki Trasi associations, and the dedicated volunteers, as well as the student Borna. We eagerly look forward to new opportunities for collaboration.