From the coast to the open sea, on the Croatian and Italian sides, the Adriatic is under constant and increasing pressure, and one of its greatest threats is marine litter. With more than 80% of marine litter originating from land, mostly plastic, urgent joint solutions to preserve the marine ecosystem are urgently needed. Through practical education and empowering young people to become active participants in the protection of nature and the environment, we can build the foundations of a sustainable future. With this goal in mind, Sunce is organizing a three-day interdisciplinary conference Marine Litter-Free Tides of Change at MEDILS in Split from November 4 to 6. The conference brings together experts in environmental science, representatives of institutions, NGOs and young people from the local community and the region, who will present expert papers and examples of good practice.
– In our daily work, we are often dedicated exclusively to our own projects and obligations, which is why we do not have the opportunity to explore the work of other experts. The conference will provide us with a unique opportunity to gather with the same goal in one place and jointly think about the most effective ways to protect nature and the environment. – emphasized Tea Kuzmičić Rosandić, manager of the Interreg project ML-FREE, within which the conference is being organized along with the Plastic-Free Croatian Island project. You can find the full program HERE.
Sunce once again brings together international experts and representatives of institutions
The conference will include a series of lectures, panels and an interactive workshop with a focus on sustainable methods of reducing plastic waste and raising awareness of the importance of environmental protection. It will be held live, and you will be able to follow the exchange of knowledge via Facebook Live on Sunce’s profile (link).
On the first day, the conference will be officially opened with a short speech by Danijela Šegvić, Head of the Department of Environmental Protection of the City of Split. Experts from the Split Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries and the Zagreb Ruđer Bošković Institute will educate the guests about marine litter, microplastics, and educational programs and cooperation between institutions. Frédérique Mongodin will speak about the SUP Directive, representatives of the Seas at Risk organization from Brussels, and Marjan Žitnik from Dubrovnik’s Maritimo Recycling will talk about innovative solutions.
That young people have a significant role in marine protection, especially in the area of cross-border cooperation with Italy, will be confirmed by professors from the Split School of Economics and Administration and Marco Polo – Liceo Artistico Venezia, partner schools in the ML-FREE project. On the second day of the conference, they will present the results of their students’ work and share their impressions from two study trips that took place this year.
The third day of the conference will be dedicated to group work that will allow participants to explore opportunities for further intersectoral cooperation, sharing their resources, ideas and needs with colleagues from different sectors.
ML-FREE and Plastic-free Croatian island projects
The ML-FREE project, co-financed by the European Union as part of the Interreg Italy-Croatia cross-border cooperation programme, aims to solve the pressing problem of marine litter, especially plastic pollution, in the Adriatic Sea.
– By focusing on the education and engagement of young people, we strive to foster a sustainable society that actively participates in the preservation of the marine ecosystem. – emphasized Kuzmičić Rosandić.
– In order to change the state of pollution in the Adriatic, it is necessary to develop measures to prevent the creation of waste that ends up in the sea. Not only develop them, but also implement them nationally and locally, with proper implementation and compliance with legal documents such as the EU Directive on Single-Use Plastics (SUP Directive). – added Dalka Zanki, leader of the Plastic-Free Croatian Island project.
The Plastic-Free Croatian Island project is supported by DIEF – Dalmatian Islands Environmental Foundation, thanks to funds received from the Conservation Collective through a partnership with Depeche Mode & Hublot during their Memento Mori world tour.
The synergy of projects and services implemented by Sunce in the field of waste management and prevention of marine litter is already yielding results and influencing various stakeholders in the national and cross-border area. We believe that drastic changes are needed in the implementation of the legislative framework for sustainable waste management. We call on all stakeholders, institutions and citizens to actively get involved, and work together to create a healthier and cleaner Adriatic Sea for generations to come. – concluded Kuzmičić Rosandić.