Marine Litter-Free Adriatic Sea- Education for Active Youth Participation

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Italy-Croatia

Date of latest update: 2025-08-20

Description

Description (EN):

The Adriatic Sea enjoys remarkable marine resources and landscapes shared by Italy and Croatia. However, it’s under constant growing pressure with marine litter being one of the gravest threats to it. More than 80% of waste in the Adriatic Sea, vastly plastic, comes from the land as a result of human activities. Therefore, education based on active participation of youth is important for creating a sustainable society. The lack of practice in education results in superficial knowledge and a low promotion of key competencies. Additionally, the Report of Territorial and Socioeconomic Analysis reflects the need of a higher inclusion of knowledge related to the blue economy sectors into the education systems. The project's objective is to contribute to preservation of the Adriatic Sea by developing and implementing a cross-border educational program for youth on marine litter and waste prevention based on participative learning methods and service learning (SL). Participation enables youth to be active in social processes, combat problems and to possess specific capacities to act. Further, SL combines theory with practical work in society, learners stand up for the interests of their community and thus serve the common good. Cross-border school cooperation will improve professional knowledge and enable the exchange of teachers' experiences, while building their capacities for the application of similar programs in further projects and academic processes. Teachers and educators of Sunce will increase their capacities and exchange knowledge about how these environmental topics can be integrated in the education system. This will further improve the education of the new generations. The project, especially communication activities and the final conference, will connect relevant stakeholders of the Adriatic coastal region to jointly reach new approaches in education, raise awareness and resume the fight against the marine litter pollution of the Adriatic Sea.

Actual Achievements (EN):

Introduction and main results The project empowered youth and their professors from two high schools from Croatia and Italy to understand and take action on the topic related to marine litter. Through cross-border cooperation, students learned how to reduce pollution, schools gained tools to integrate environmental topics into the school curriculum and formal education, and professors were trained to include environmental topic in their teaching. Project development Despite different waste management systems and educational approaches and programs in the two countries, the project successfully brought together youth, schools, professors, NGOs, and local communities. Key activities included interactive workshops, study visits, and community-based youth pilot actions. Study trips provided students with valuable opportunities to exchange knowledge and experiences, while also strengthening their communication skills and adaptability in new situations. By visiting different regions and engaging with peers from diverse backgrounds, students were exposed to various cultures and perspectives. These trips also helped them recognize the global nature of marine litter and waste management issues, gaining insight into how these challenges are addressed in other countries. Study trips provided students with valuable opportunities to exchange knowledge and experiences, while also strengthening their communication skills and adaptability in new situations. By visiting different regions and engaging with peers from diverse backgrounds, students were exposed to various cultures and perspectives. These trips also helped them recognize the global nature of marine litter and waste management issues, gaining insight into how these challenges are addressed in other countries. The NGO Sunce, professors, and students worked together. Thanks to this cooperation, schools became more active in environmental protection. One professor from Croatian partner school said: "After the workshop and study trip, my students initiated a school clean-up and designed lecture and quiz for other students in their school to promote project and topic of marine litter. Project legacy The project’s tools and materials remain available for future use and can be easily applied in other schools. Involved schools plan to continue the educational program in the next year with different students and also they planned new project together. The project showed that when youth are engaged through hands-on learning, they become active advocates for environmental protection and sustainability. The collaboration continues, ensuring long-lasting impact in schools and their local communities. Evaluation results highlight the comments and impressions of participating youth: students particularly enjoyed the practical and interactive activities carried out during the project, including study trips to Croatia and Italy. These trips allowed them to explore new places, learn about local history, and gather new information on microplastics and pollution. They especially valued hands-on activities such as beach cleanups and cooperation with local organizations like Sunce, whose experts they greatly appreciated. Moreover, students emphasized the importance of social interaction during the project. They enjoyed collaborating with peers from both Croatia and Italy, especially in communication campaigns and youth-led pilot projects involving younger students, such as the one implemented at the elementary school “Skalice” in Croatia. They expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet new people, spend quality time in meaningful activities, and learn through fun. Altogether, their experience was enriching, and the project provided them with new knowledge and unforgettable memories.

Project outputs: Developed and implemented a joint cross-border educational program for youth on marine litter and waste prevention principle and active participation.

(EN)
Jointly organized public events across borders (EN)
Trained educators for the implementation of the participatory environmental educational program(EN)
Cross-border conference for strengthening the capacities and networking of educational institutions and organizations in the coastal area of Adriatic Sea (EN)
Website: https://www.italy-croatia.eu/web/italy-croatia

Thematic information

Coastal management and maritime issues Education and training Waste and pollution

Priority: (VI-A_I-Hr_2) Green and resilient shared environment

Priority specific objective: RSO2.7. Enhancing protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility

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

Partners (3)

Lead Partner: Udruga za prirodu, okoliš i održivi razvoj Sunce

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999810526

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 17644269011 | 17644269011 | info@sunce-st.org (EN)

Address: Obala hrvatskog narodnog preporoda, 21000 Split, Croatia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.sunce-st.org

Total budget: EUR 139 422.40

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 111 537.92

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 27 884.48

Ekonomska i upravna škola

Name: Ekonomska i upravna škola

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 943966074

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 65481283003 | 65481283003 | ured@ss-ekonomskaiupravna-st.skole.hr (EN)

Address: Vukovarska , 21000 Split, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Education/training centre and school

Website: http://ss-ekonomskaiupravna-st.skole.hr/skola

Total budget: EUR 17 624.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 14 099.20

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 3 524.80

Contractors:

Name: Dario promet j.d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 99732601052
Name: UNIQA osiguranje d.d.
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR75665455333
Name: TRIBECA SRL VIA BRENDOLE
VAT registration or tax identification number: 04589940271
Name: IGANA putnička agencija
VAT registration or tax identification number: 90768734866
Name: EUREKA SPLIT, obrt za usluge
VAT registration or tax identification number: 76796941335
Name: BAUHAUS-ZAGREB
VAT registration or tax identification number: 71642207963
Name: ANDRO INTERNATIONAL, D.O.O.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 67025642845

IIS Marco Polo Liceo Artistico Venezia

Name: IIS Marco Polo Liceo Artistico Venezia

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 922803293

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 80011910272 | 80011910272 | veis02400c@pec.istruzione.it (EN)

Address: Dorsoduro, 30123 Venezia, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Education/training centre and school

Website: https://www.iismarcopololiceoartisticovenezia.edu.it/

Total budget: EUR 63 360.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 63 360.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 100.00%

Contractors:

Name: C.V.V. di Bolzonella Bertilla
VAT registration or tax identification number: 03970930271
Name: Tofelis Sas
VAT registration or tax identification number: 03308540271
Name: Lyra Srl
VAT registration or tax identification number: 04645600273

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

School of Economics and Administration

Marine Litter-Free Adriatic Sea- Education for Active Youth Participation

Partners and Projects info

Marco Polo High School

Marine Litter-Free Adriatic Sea- Education for Active Youth Participation

Partners and Projects info

Association for Nature, Environment and Sustainable Development Sunce

Marine Litter-Free Adriatic Sea- Education for Active Youth Participation

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Marine Litter-Free Adriatic Sea- Education for Active Youth Participation

Project acronym: ML-FREE

Project ID: ITHR0400249

Project start date: 2023-08-01

Project end date: 2024-12-31

Project status: closed

Relevant linked projects:

Practical-Active-Together-Interdisciplinary! (PAZI) – Service-learning programs for the environment and sustainable development; funded under the Operational Program “Effective Human Resources” 2014–2020 by the European Social Fund (EN) | Sunce was the lead partner. The overall goal of the PAZI! project was to increase awareness on the importance of adopting and applying knowledge and skills, civic engagement and cross-sectoral environmental protection cooperation. Through the project service-learning programs, in cooperation with four faculties of the University of Split (Faculty of Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Economics, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences), were developed. Proposed project will build on experience and knowledge gained in development and implementation of the service-learning program in partnership with educational institutions. We will use experience for monitoring of the educational program and capacity building. Already established contacts and network of experts in service-learning in Croatia, as well as international, will be used to make more qualitative educational program as well as final conference. (EN), „Rijeke znanja (Rivers of knowledge) - Strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations for the Promotion of STEM”, founded by the European Social Fund. (EN) | Sunce is the partner on the project to the Croatian Natural Science Society from Zagreb, acting as a lead. The overall goal of the project “Rijeke znanja” is to build the capacity of civil-society organizations to implement science promotion activities, especially in the field of physics, chemistry and environmental protection. In this project, educators from Sunce participated in education for the popularization of science (STEM) and improved their management skills. We will use the knowledge we have acquired in the training sessions for the popularization of science, the methods we have learned and the skills we have acquired in education with young people and in designing an educational program. In addition, the acquired knowledge will help us to be a mentor for youth in the creation of their projects. (EN), 2020–2022 Sustainable Student Companies in Croatian High Schools – Green Companies Promote Sustainable Entrepreneurial Thinking and Action of Young People in Croatia; in partnership with the German institution Deutsche Gesellschaft für Umwelterziehung (DGU), financed by the German foundation for environmental protection/The Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU) (EN) | Sunce was the partner to German organization Deutsche Gesellschaft für Umwelterziehung (DGU). The overall goal of the project was to integrated sustainability into the field of student entrepreneurship as well to promote sustainable entrepreneurial spirit in high schools in Croatia. Through this project, three different schools participated in the created educational program. As a part of the project, students had to design an innovative product that would be competitive in the labor market. The knowledge we have acquired to work with young people of different educational institutions, and methods that we have been used in working with them, will also help us to implement proposed project. Also, due to the implementation of the project during the COVID-19 crisis, we built our knowledge and skills in using of digital teaching methods. Digital teaching methods will be used to connect the two schools regularly, and in interactive way, during the process of development and implementation of the educational program. (EN), 2018–2020 ML-REPAIR (Reducing and Preventing, an Integrated Approach to Marine Litter Management in the Adriatic Sea) funded under the 2014–2020 Interreg V-A, Italy-Croatia CBC Program. (EN) | Sunce is the partner on the project to the CA Foscari Faculty, University of Venice acting as a lead. The overall goal of the ML-REPAIR project was to prevent and reduce the incineration and spraying of waste in the Adriatic Sea. Some of the activities of this project were researching educational tools to encourage positive changes in attitudes and behaviour towards marine litter and pollution in general, among future generations in the local community (younger population). Also, the goal was to reduce marine litter through a participatory approach, improving cooperation between all stakeholders while raising the awareness of the local community and tourists, and providing data and innovative tools to decision makers. Through the proposed project, we will use the knowledge and experience gained by these activities. We will use the scientific facts that we obtained in this project and the methods that proved to be effective to bring the involved students and teachers closer to the challenges posed by marine litter as an environmental problem. (EN), 2020 - 2022. For Plastic Free Croatian Islands; founded by Beyond Plastic Med foundation (EN) | Sunce was the lead partner. The overall goal of the project was to contribute to the reduction of the use of single-use plastics, as well as to reduction of plastic pollution in the Adriatic and therefore the Mediterranean Sea. This has been achieved by implementing sustainable waste management measures based on the principles of reducing, reusing, recycling in the municipality of Sali on the island Dugi otok and Stari Grad on the island Hvar. As a result of this project, two plastic-free plans were created and adopted by the city and municipality that participated as partners in the project. Along with the implementation of this plan, we educated tourists and the local communities through public events and forums. Also, we organized the first conference on the topic of marine litter in Croatia, where we gathered the international scientific community, educational institutions, utility companies, private companies and organizations who works in the environmental and nature protection. The knowledge and skills gained will also be used for the organization of the final conference of the proposed project. In addition, the contacts we made and the experience gained in advocating with decision makers will be used in this proposal. (EN), 2020–2021 Plastic smart cities Croatia; founded by WWF Mediterranean (EN) | Sunce was the Croatian partner to WWF Mediterranean. The overall goal of the project was to reduce own plastic footprint (by stopping the use of single-use plastics and improving the waste plastic management system) in accordance with WWF’s Plastic Smart City initiative. This project was a part of Mediterranean Marine Initiative (MMI) actions plan to improve protection and environmental conservation of the Mediterranean area. In Croatia, the cities of Trogir and Dubrovnik participated, joining other cities from this global initiative, one of which is Venice. As a result of this project, two plastic-free plans for cities of Dubrovnik and Trogir were created. Through the initiative, we relate to the best solutions from all over the world. The experiences and contacts we have gained, as well as the cities that were involved in this project, will serve us as an example of good practice that we can show to students. Students will have the opportunity to research examples of good practice that have reduced their pressure on the marine ecosystem and will be able contribute to this global initiative through their local projects. (EN), FAIRSEA – Fisheries in the Adriatic Region – a Shared Ecosystem Approach – 2014–2020 Interreg V-A, Italy – Croatia CBC Program (EN) | Sunce is the partner on the project to the Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e Geofisica Sperimentale – OGS acting as a lead. The central focus of the FAIRSEA project was the fisheries sector, an important economic activity in the Adriatic Sea with a strong cultural, social and economic role in regional coastal communities. The overall project goal was to enhance the conditions for implementing innovative approaches for the sustainable management of the Adriatic Sea fisheries. This is achieved thanks to the exchange of knowledge and the sharing of good practices between partners and beyond. One of the activities was the design of a series of seminars related to fisheries for secondary schools and students. These seminar series included the theoretical workshop, fieldwork and a practical workshop. One of the schools involved in this project was a partner school (Economic and Administrative School). Good cooperation and communication that we had with the school will be used in the proposed project. (EN), 2020 Actions to clean up marine litter – Sunce’s Service for the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development (EN) | The goal of this project was to create a protocol for the implementation of cleaning actions and simplified monitoring for marine waste. To get the necessary information, we organized 21 cleaning actions in seven Croatian counties that have access to the sea. Our knowledge and experience will be shared and used by students and teachers, especially if they decided that their youth pilot actions will be marine litter clean-up. We will provide them with a prepared protocol according to which they can organize it. (EN), 2016–2018 Students Learn About Civic Engagement – Service-Learning in Nature and Environmental Protection; in partnership with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Umwelterziehung (DGU), financed by the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) (EN) | Sunce was the Croatian partner to DGU. The overall goal of this project was to encourage civic engagement and strengthen public awareness with a focus on nature and environmental protection. Through this project, we organized a study trip for the teachers of the four faculties of University of Split with the aim of transferring knowledge and designed a service-learning program. Service-learning program was implemented for 16 students from involved faculties. We will use the knowledge and experience in designing a participative educational program based on service-learning, experience in working with young people and organizing a study trip. (EN), 2021–2022 School Botanical Garden of Mediterranean Plants; funded by the Agency for Mobility and EU Programs within the EU program of the European Solidarity Corps (EN) | The project was prepared and implemented by five young people under the mentoring of an educator from Sunce. The project goal was to raise awareness of primary school students and teachers about the issue of environmental pollution, the importance of solidarity and sustainable development through education and active participation in the construction of the garden. Also, one of the goals is to teach the participants of the project about an alternative way of living in harmony with nature. The active involvement of students in the process of building the school garden was the backbone of this project. The methods we used in this project to actively involve students will be implemented in proposed project and in our work with young people. (EN), “Packaging sustainable” (EN) | Internal project at the Marco Polo High School which aimed to develop ideas for industrial design of sustainable packaging. Types of materials that can be used from the perspective of a circular economy and circularity of material flows were observed. (EN), “Pro Competencies for More Successful Lifelong Learning“, Erasmus+ KA1 2020–2022 (EN) | Project of the Economic and Administrative School. Students who participated in the project independently and with understanding all acquired theoretical knowledge applied in practice, successfully promoted the school and contributed to the ethnic attractiveness of the vocational interest. The experiences they have gained will be used to make international partnerships and increase motivation. (EN), “Entrepreneurial Eco-Learning“ (EN) | Project of the Economic and Administrative School. This initiative was a collaboration with the local community as important stakeholders, where students learned how to find a place in the labour market with an entrepreneurial mindset and an emphasis on environmental care. Students will use this knowledge for the implementation of pilot projects. (EN)

Relevant mentions and prizes:

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 220 406.40

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 176 325.12

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 84.88%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 176 325.12. Co-financing rate, 84.88%.
Others: Amount, EUR 12 672.00.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Review of educational programs on environmental education and active participation in partner school
Report on assessment of the level of youth environmental awareness and knowledge
Online cross-border workshop for sharing experiences
Online cross-border meetings
Methodological scheme for the implementation of the joint cross-border educational program
Seminar series for students
Study trips on marine litter and the principle of reducing waste
Youth pilot actions implemented in Croatia and Italy
Articles on the youth pilot projects
Media announcements on the youth pilot projects
Report on evaluation of implemented cross-border educational program
Integration and follow up plans
The web page of the conference and agenda
Follow up report of the final conference
Communication material
Announcements on the conference and conference conclusions

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyAdriaticIonianRegion The project contributes to EUSAIR and considers different needs pointed out in the Acton Plan adopted in 2014. It’s in line with Pillar 3: Environmental quality. The project, its educational program for youth as well as educational and awareness-raising activities, contribute to two specific objectives for this pillar: to ensure a good environmental and ecological status of the marine and coastal environment by 2020, in line with the relevant EU acquis and the ecosystem approach of the Barcelona Convention, and to improve waste management by reducing waste flows to the sea and to reduce nutrient flows and other pollutants to the rivers and the sea.
EuropeanGreenDeal European Green Deal acknowledges that Europe’s seas, oceans, and environment are a source of natural and economic wealth and need to be protected to ensure they continue sustaining us in the future. Project relevant European Green Deal priorities are protecting our biodiversity and ecosystems and improving waste management. The foundation of EU waste management is the five-step “waste hierarchy”, established in the Waste Framework Directive. It establishes an order of preference for managing and disposing of waste. Prevention and reduce of production of the waste is the priority. Education of youth and educators on the topic of marine litter and waste prevention will contribute to these priorities.
Other The project will directly contribute to the implementation of the European Union Council’s strategic framework of a European cooperation in Education and Training (ET 2020), and all common objectives: make lifelong learning and mobility a reality – teachers involved in development and implementation of the educational program but also other stakeholders involved in the final conference will have an opportunity to strengthen their skills and knowledge; improve the quality and efficiency of education and training – participative learning methods will be exchanged and used; promote equity, social cohesion and active citizenship – active citizenship is an ultimate goal of the educational program and social cohesion will be built through cross-border cooperation; enhance creativity and innovation, including entrepreneurship, at all levels of education and training – the youth will have opportunity to use creativity and innovation in development and implementation of their pilot projects in the local communities.
Other The UN Sustainable Development Goals:
17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The project contributes to the three goals:
Goal 4. Qualiy education, in detail target 4.7. By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, and, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, peace and non-violence culture, global citizenship and the appreciation of cultural diversity and culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
Goal 12 Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns; specifically target 12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse and target 12.8. By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.
Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources, specifically 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.
The educational program will provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge about the problem of marine litter and waste prevention. It will also rely on solutions to problems and will involve young people in the learning process itself and encourage them to engage in activities that, at least locally, will be an answer to the marine pollution and waste prevention challenges they face.
Other EU Youth Strategy:
The project contributes to the three core areas of the EU Youth Strategy – Engage, Connect and Empower.
It directs to achieve two of the 11 European Youth Goals:
8. “Quality Learning” – to improve different forms of learning, the project will ensure that young people have access to citizenship education attained through community-based experiences, in order to promote active civil participation in environmental protection. The educational program will be based on participatory and cooperative methods to develop skills that include critical and analytical thinking and creativity.
10. “Sustainable Green Europe” – through participation in the educational programme, the project will ensure that young people know the effect of their actions on the environment. It will empower young people to act as agents of change for environmental and sustainable development. The project will increase cross-border cooperation to raise awareness on the principle of waste prevention, unnecessary consumption and finally it will support and strengthen opportunities for young people to volunteer in the environmental sector.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 001 - Enterprises supported (of which: micro, small, medium, large), Measurement unit:
RCO 085 - Participations in joint training schemes, Measurement unit:
RCO 115 - Public events across borders jointly organised, Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO85) Participations in joint training schemes: 28.0
(RCO115) Public events across borders jointly organised: 3.0

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 081 - Completions of joint training schemes, Measurement unit:

Delivered result indicator(s):

(RCR81) Completion of joint training schemes: 28.0

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSAIR

EUSAIR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSAIR Degree of compliance:

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

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A Italy-Croatia

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-08-20

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

76 / 76 (100%)

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

483 / 483 (100%)

Notes on the data

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Marine Litter-Free Adriatic Sea- Education for Active Youth Participation

Description

Thematic information

Partners (3)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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

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