Targeting the reduction of plastic outflow into the North Sea [FA]

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B North Sea

Date of latest update: 2026-05-13

Description

Description (EN):

A large share of marine litter reaches the sea via inland waterways, posing a serious threat to the environment and human health. Recognising the urgency of this challenge, the North Sea Commission Marine Resources Group initiated this transnational project to reduce plastic pollution in waterways. Our consortium involves regional authorities, water management bodies, knowledge institutes, companies, and NGOs from 5 countries with the long-term goal to reduce the outflow of macroplastic waste from inland waters into the North Sea. The innovation of this project lies in the integrated cross-sectoral approach, which is needed to successfully identify, prevent, and remove litter from inland waterways. We address four interrelated thematic pillars (TP): Governance & policy: Improve multi-level governance for effective cooperation by actors along water systems and improve policies at different levels for waste prevention. Data collection & analysis: Use surveying and observation methods, e.g. citizen science, drone technology, to expand knowledge about composition, distribution and sources of waste, and harmonise methods. Prevention & behaviour change: Educate and train target groups in industry, government and the public on the need and opportunity to reduce plastic spillage and implement interventions for litter prevention (e.g. recreational and scientific waste collection). Removal of plastic waste: Apply different techniques for the collection and removal of plastic debris from rivers and harbours to get insight in their (cost) effectiveness. The core of the project consists of Living Labs at different river-sea interfaces e.g. the Frisian Peninsula (DE), Durch deltas (NL), Nieuwpoort Yser estuary (BE), French ports and harbours (FR), and Westcoast watersheds (DK). Each region implements a combination of policy, data collection, awareness, and removal activities to develop robust, practice-based solutions to reduce riverine waste that can be used across the North Sea region.

Actual Achievements (EN):

BE VLIZ:Finalised G&P report, updated story map, conducted sampling and GPS-tracker work, and prepared the plastic-catcher demo (permits, stakeholder event) IMDC:Validated the Yser estuary flow model, refined plastics-transport modelling to identify the optimal catcher site, and advanced CFD simulations FR ULCO:Completed final riverbank sampling, advanced matrix scoring, collected waste with students, carried out GPS-tracker deployments, tested dual-drone collection, and conducted outreach Cedre:Led the Removal pillar and prepared technique factsheets. Produced two port-litter reports, engaged stakeholders through visits and equipment tests, and contributed to communication and LL work Cerema:Finalised governance/stakeholder report, supported LL workshops and call for projects, and expanded internal capacity Nausicaá:Led PBC pillar and launched survey NL HHNK:Organised a regional municipal meeting on shared challenges. Installed CirCleaner at the Helsdeur pumping station Noria:Completed CirCleaner installation and litter collection, demonstrated a serious game, and advanced monitoring via cameras and GPS NSF:Led DCA pillar, developed monitoring-method overviews for factsheets, checked photo uploads, and built GPS data formats with VLIZ IVN:Shared governance results, organised stakeholder discussion toward a Plastic Pact, published factsheet, conducted extensive citizen-science monitoring, joined Plastival, and started two prevention pilots DK Lemvig Vand:Wooden drifter releases with national media coverage, delivered school outreach, won a photo award, held national stakeholder roundtable, and continued monitoring and clean-ups KIMO:Expanded bridge and riverbank monitoring, ran drifter releases, organised Danish stakeholder workshop, advanced prevention materials DE UOL:Participated in conferences, workshops, and conducted monitoring campaigns; organised TREASURE exhibition ARL:Led G&P pillar, conducted stakeholder research

Website: https://www.interregnorthsea.eu/treasure

Thematic information

Coastal management and maritime issues Governance, partnership Waste and pollution

Type of intervention: 079 Nature and biodiversity protection, natural heritage and resources, green and blue infrastructure

Partners (16)

Lead Partner: Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg

Partner’s ID if not PIC: DE 811184499

Address: Ammerländer Heerstraße 114-118, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://uol.de/

Total budget: EUR 924 500.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 554 700.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 369 800.00

GBER schemes / de minimis:

Herbosch-Kiere nv

Name: Herbosch-Kiere nv

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BE 404.637.280

Address: Haven 1558, Sint-Jansweg 7, 9130 Kallo, Belgium

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Infrastructure and (public) service provider

Website: https://herbosch-kiere.be/

Total budget: EUR 278 920.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 167 352.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 111 568.00

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER

Amt für regionale Landesentwicklung Weser-Ems

Name: Amt für regionale Landesentwicklung Weser-Ems

Partner’s ID if not PIC: N.a.

Address: Theodor-Tanzen-Platz 8, 26122 Oldenburg, Germany

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: https://www.arl-we.niedersachsen.de/startseite/

Total budget: EUR 56 647.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 33 988.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 59.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 22 659.00

GBER schemes / de minimis:

Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee

Name: Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BE0466.279.196

Address: Jacobsenstraat 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.vliz.be/

Total budget: EUR 751 563.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 450 938.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 300 625.00

GBER schemes / de minimis:

Université du Littoral Côte d’Opale

Name: Université du Littoral Côte d’Opale

Partner’s ID if not PIC: FR 01195944038

Address: 1, place de l’Yser – BP 71022, 59140 Dunkerque, France

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://www.univ-littoral.fr/

Total budget: EUR 366 641.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 219 985.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 146 656.00

GBER schemes / de minimis:

Societé d’Exploitation du Centre national de la Mer

Name: Societé d’Exploitation du Centre national de la Mer

Partner’s ID if not PIC: FR 43378074744

Address: Boulevard Sainte Beuve, BP 189, 62200 Boulogne sur Mer, France

Legal status: private

Organisation type: SME

Website: http://www.nausicaa.fr

Total budget: EUR 559 274.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 335 564.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 59.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 223 710.00

GBER schemes / de minimis: De Minimis

Noria Sustainable Innovators

Name: Noria Sustainable Innovators

Partner’s ID if not PIC: NL861271014B01

Address: Schieweg 13, 2627AN Delft, Netherlands

Legal status: private

Organisation type: SME

Website: http://www.noria.earth

Total budget: EUR 617 850.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 370 710.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 247 140.00

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER

MULTI.engineering Maritime & Offshore Belgium BV

Name: MULTI.engineering Maritime & Offshore Belgium BV

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 0668.375.827

Address: Orlaylaan 10, 9140 Temse, Belgium

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Infrastructure and (public) service provider

Website: http://www.multi.engineering

Total budget: EUR 100 476.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 60 286.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 40 190.00

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER

Lemvig Vand A/S

Name: Lemvig Vand A/S

Partner’s ID if not PIC: CVR 32832296

Address: Havnen 8, 7620 Lemvig, Denmark

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Infrastructure and (public) service provider

Website: http://www.Lvs-as.dk

Total budget: EUR 500 625.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 300 375.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 200 250.00

GBER schemes / de minimis:

Kommunenes Internationale Miljøorganisation

Name: Kommunenes Internationale Miljøorganisation

Partner’s ID if not PIC: CVR-nr. 29189811

Address: C/o Varde Kommune, Bytoften 2, 6800 Varde, Denmark

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://www.kimointernational.org/networks/denmark/

Total budget: EUR 221 600.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 132 960.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 88 640.00

GBER schemes / de minimis:

IVN Natuureducatie

Name: IVN Natuureducatie

Partner’s ID if not PIC: NL813950326 (B01)

Address: Plantage Middenlaan 2c, 1018DD Amsterdam, Netherlands

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.ivn.nl

Total budget: EUR 378 105.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 226 863.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 151 242.00

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER

International Marine and Dredging Consultants NV

Name: International Marine and Dredging Consultants NV

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BE 0422.376.305

Address: Van Immerseelstraat 66, 2018 Antwerp, Belgium

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Enterprise, except SME

Website: http://www.imdc.be

Total budget: EUR 137 500.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 82 500.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 55 000.00

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER

Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier

Name: Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier

Partner’s ID if not PIC: NL8113.36.487.B01

Address: Stationsplein 136, 1703WC Heerhugowaard, Netherlands

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: https://www.hhnk.nl/

Total budget: EUR 168 638.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 101 183.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 67 455.00

GBER schemes / de minimis:

Centre de documentation, de recherche et d'expérimentations sur les pollutions accidentelles des eaux

Name: Centre de documentation, de recherche et d'expérimentations sur les pollutions accidentelles des eaux

Partner’s ID if not PIC: FR 58 315 429 142

Address: 715 Rue Alain Colas - CS 41836, 29217 Brest, France

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Other

Website: http://wwz.cedre.fr/

Total budget: EUR 271 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 162 600.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 108 400.00

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER

Centre d'Etudes et d'Expertise sur les Risques, l'Environnement, la Mobilité et l’Aménagement

Name: Centre d'Etudes et d'Expertise sur les Risques, l'Environnement, la Mobilité et l’Aménagement

Partner’s ID if not PIC: FR 94130018310

Address: Technopôle Brest Iroise - 155 rue Pierre Bouguer, 29280 Plouzané, France

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: https://www.cerema.fr/

Total budget: EUR 249 000.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 149 400.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 99 600.00

GBER schemes / de minimis:

Stichting De Noordzee

Name: Stichting De Noordzee

Partner’s ID if not PIC: NL005965135B01

Address: Arthur van Schendelstraat 600, 3511MJ Utrecht, Netherlands

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://www.noordzee.nl/

Total budget: EUR 383 850.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 230 310.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 153 540.00

GBER schemes / de minimis:

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Herbosch-Kiere nv

Targeting the reduction of plastic outflow into the North Sea [FA]

Partners and Projects info

Office for Regional Development, Weser and Ems Region

Targeting the reduction of plastic outflow into the North Sea [FA]

Partners and Projects info

Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee vzw

Targeting the reduction of plastic outflow into the North Sea [FA]

Partners and Projects info

Université du Littoral Côte d’Opale

Targeting the reduction of plastic outflow into the North Sea [FA]

Partners and Projects info

Nausicaá, National Sea Experience Centre

Targeting the reduction of plastic outflow into the North Sea [FA]

Partners and Projects info

Noria Sustainable Innovators

Targeting the reduction of plastic outflow into the North Sea [FA]

Partners and Projects info

MULTI.engineering Maritime & Offshore Belgium BV

Targeting the reduction of plastic outflow into the North Sea [FA]

Partners and Projects info

Lemvig Utility

Targeting the reduction of plastic outflow into the North Sea [FA]

Partners and Projects info

Local Authorities International Environmental Organisation

Targeting the reduction of plastic outflow into the North Sea [FA]

Partners and Projects info

Institute for Nature Education

Targeting the reduction of plastic outflow into the North Sea [FA]

Partners and Projects info

Targeting the reduction of plastic outflow into the North Sea [FA]

Partners and Projects info

Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier

Targeting the reduction of plastic outflow into the North Sea [FA]

Partners and Projects info

Centre of Documentation, Research and Experimentation on Accidental Water Pollution

Targeting the reduction of plastic outflow into the North Sea [FA]

Partners and Projects info

Centre for Studies and Expertise on Risks, the Environment, Mobility and Urban Planning

Targeting the reduction of plastic outflow into the North Sea [FA]

Partners and Projects info

Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg

Targeting the reduction of plastic outflow into the North Sea [FA]

Partners and Projects info

North Sea Foundation

Targeting the reduction of plastic outflow into the North Sea [FA]

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Targeting the reduction of plastic outflow into the North Sea [FA]

Project acronym: TREASURE

Project ID: a0oJk2jzL

Project start date: 2023-06-01

Project end date: 2026-11-27

Project status: ongoing

Relevant mentions and prizes:

false

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 5 784 707.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 3 470 825.00

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 60.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 3 470 825.00. Co-financing rate, 60.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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Deliverables:

Preparation of integrated action plans for TREASURE Living Labs / Desk-based preparation for the shaping of the TREASURE Living Labs in each partner region (5), identifying status quo of existing barriers and needs, and integrating objectives in each of the four pillars (governance& policy, data collection& analysis, prevention& behaviour change, removal of plastic waste). This will be presented and discussed in the kick-off event for the alignment of upcoming activities.
TREASURE Living Lab coordination / Biannual transnational meetings between the partners for exchange on the living labs' progress, lessons learned, best practices and activities applied. Transnational exchange will inform the joint development of implementation tools for future adopters.
Multi-level governance and policy guidance for successful plastic pollution mitigation / Based on the practice- and science-based experiences from the living labs, multi-level policy and governance recommendations are developed that address the project's four integrated dimensions.
Transnational exchange on data harmonsation / Internal events for the preparation of data aggregation and analysis for the harmonisation of the findings in the four pillars: governance & policy, data collection & analysis, prevention & behaviour change, and removal.
TREASURE Living Lab stakeholder identification and incentive campaign / Indentification and incentive campaign of TREASURE living labs targeted at local and regional stakeholders in each partner region (5) to raise awareness and facilitate engagement in the project approach and joining living lab activities.
TREASURE Pillars coordination / Transnational meetings (every three months) between the coordinators within each pillar: governance and policy, data collection and analysis, prevention and behaviour change, removal of plastic waste. Exchange on progress, best practices, and lessons learned.
TREASURE Plastic Pact / Development of an integrated municipal/regional commitment “Plastic Pact” based on living labs solutions, which helps to structure responsibilities of future adopters, i.e. as action pledge for local and regional authorities.
Transnational aggregation, analysis and comparison / Transnational aggregation, analysis and comparison of the data collected in the living labs (through different methods, but based on common classifications) in all pillars, which will feed into the development of a joint decision support tool. This will be done by each pillar coordinator.
Standardisation of classifications and definitions / Transnational agreement on a standardised set of definitions and classifications of plastic litter for the development of a uniform approach for data collection and analysis in order to synchronise the methods applied.
Living Lab stakeholder engagement campaign / Within each TREASURE living lab (5), a set of key stakeholders identified in WP1 for each of the thematic pillar will be engaged and continuous exchange structure established to collaboratively participate in the living lab's progress through regular exchange, e.g. through workshops, roundtables, interviews, etc.
Development of open data platform / Synthesising results of TREASURE living labs into open data knowledge platform based on the data management plan in WP1, to make information on governance, removal techniques and business cases, data collection, and prevention measures accessible for future adopters.
Business case innovation development / Engagement of the public, local or regional stakeholders, and experts in the area of business models and societal value though competition events (e.g. hackathon) for innovative and circular plastic waste prevention business case development, drawing on experiences from other projects and the living labs.
Identification of plastic hotspots / Identification and analysis of available data of river litter in each partner region (5) and the need for data collection for the purpose of the living labs. Identification of macro plastic accumulation zones and sources.
Governance and Policy - Analysis of governance structures for plastic free estuaries and waterways / Regional stakeholder workshops with local and regional policy stakeholders to raise awareness about the urgency of intervention needs, to identify their needs and foster a closer, cross-sectoral and multi-level cooperation. Using interactive awareness-raising methods, such a TREASURE serious game.
Multi-criteria decision support tool / Development of an online multi-criteria decision support tool, comprising guidance on suitable data collection and plastic removal techniques with insights from other projects and the living labs.
Storytelling / Development of inspiring, immersive ArcGIS story maps and other visual communication materials (i.e. a short film) for innovative dissemination of project results.
Governance and Policy - Analysis of policy framework for plastic-free estuaries and waterways / Identification of gaps in existing regulations, determination of appropriate intervention points, development of regional work-plans for implementing the measures, analysis of implementation progress of running activities.
TREASURE Box dissemination / Engage stakeholders in a set of workshops to apply the TREASURE box, drawing on the partnership’s existing networks, e.g. CPMR North Sea Commission, KIMO, and OSPAR for the targeted capitalisation project results.
Data Management Plan / A well-structured data management plan to cover the description of data and metadata, their storage and long-term preservation and the open access to and sharing of research data.
TREASURE capitalisation events / From the kick-off to the final event, the project will implement a number of communication events on different levels (local to transnational). The final event will be a joint citizen science-based data collection activity, stretching over the riverbanks and waterways of the invloved partner regions, while local events focus more on reaching local target groups. All events will contribute to building up the TREASURE Legacy by disseminating project progress and results.
Data collection and analysis - sampling / Generate data on macroplastic (≥ 5 mm, in some cases including nerdles ≥1 mm) pollution in the partner region and for the targeted location(s), applying a combination of different methods available, e.g. drone imaging, or citizen science and sociological methods.
Nordic exchange and transfer / Besides the dissemination of TREASURE results through existing networks, the project aims to establish targeted exchange and transfer with the Nordic regions of the North Sea programme area, who have not been directly involved in implemention living lab measures within the project. With this, a holsitic coverage of the developed solutions throughout the entire North Sea area will be ensured. Associated partners and supporters from Sweden and Norway (see Annex) will build the foundation for this.
Partner workshop for blueprint development / Partner meetings to align each of the living lab action plans into a transnational TREASURE Living Lab blueprint that makes the methodology applicable for future adopers. The blueprint will be made accessible via the TREASURE website and corresponding partner outlets.
Data collection and analysis - comparison and harmonisation / Comparison of the implementation in practice of the various methods and techniques (providing input for the decision support tool in WP3.2) within this pillar. Analysis and harmonisation of results is done by the pillar coordinator.
International and European events representation / Participation of TREASURE consortium in international events, e.g. European Maritime Days, North Sea Conference, in order to disseminate the project progress and results, and to reach potential future adopters.
Harmonisation of action plans / Harmonising action plans in order to identify common requirements for the development of the living lab blueprint.
Prevention and behaviour change - participatory development of prevention measures / Assess and redefine existing prevention campaigns and intervention strategies in each TREASURE living lab region together with different key stakeholder groups that contribute to plastic litter in waterways, e.g. leisure and tourism industry.
Scientific coverage / Publishing of academic papers and scientific contributions on the progress and results of the TREASURE living labs
Prevention and behaviour change - targeted solution-based prevention package / Engage key stakeholders in applying preventative solutions through targeted information programme that makes adoption of solutions accessible, e.g. through local and regional exhibitions that showcase the issue as well as prevention solutions, games, and other interactive engagement measures.
TREASURE newsletter / Publication and dissemination of a joint project newsletter every six months, in order to inform project partners, supporters, associated partners, and involved stakeholders about the project's progress and upcoming activities and events.
Removal of plastic waste from waterways - accessible litter collection techniques / Application and assessment of accessible plastic litter removal and collecting techniques in each TREASURE living lab region.

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

By targeting the reduction of plastic outflow from inland waters into the North Sea, TREASURE directly contributes to following priorities of the European Green Deal: protecting our biodiversity and ecosystems reducing water pollution moving towards a circular economy improving waste management This will be done through targeted and practice-based policy recommendations, transnational data collection & monitoring, prevention & behaviour change measures, and removal & recycling innovation.
TREASURE's overall objective and targeted measures contibute to the key 2030 targets of the Zero pollution action plan to speed up reducing pollution at source, specifically to the target: improving water quality by reducing waste, plastic litter at sea (by 50%) and microplastics released into the environment (by 30%); By reducing the outflow of macro plastics into the North Sea, TREASURE improves water quality in inland waterways, as well as reduces macro and secondary microplastic pollution.
The plastics strategy aims to protect our environment and reduce marine litter. TREASURE contributes to this aim by targeting the reduction of plastic outflow from inland waters into the North Sea. Furthermore, through targeted recommendations and input regaring the directive on single use plastic products and fishing gear, the project contributes to curbing plastic waste at its source.
The project will add to achieving the target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
TREASURE directly contributes to the OSPAR Environment Strategy and second Action Plan on Marine Litter, especially to:- Actions to reduce land-based sources of marine litter-Cross cutting actions to improve knowledge and understandingThis is done by regularly informing OSPAR about the project progress and outputs and through targeted and practice-based policy recommendations, transnational data collection & monitoring, prevention & behaviour change measures, and removal & recycling innovation.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO83) Strategies and action plans jointly developed: 256
(RCO84) Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects: 756

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Delivered result indicator(s):

(RCR79) Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations: 2
(RCR104) Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations: 5

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B North Sea

Latest month of project-partner-call data publication

2026-05

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

65 / 65 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

832 / 832 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Targeting the reduction of plastic outflow into the North Sea [FA]

Description

Thematic information

Partners (16)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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