JOINt approAch to Blue circuLar Economy - for Adriatic and Ionian Region

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B IPA Adriatic-Ionian

Date of latest update: 2025-10-06

Description

Description (EN):

The JOINABLE project represents a collective effort of nine partners from six countries (Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, and Greece), aimed at enhancing the development of a circular blue economy that is based on plastic waste collected from aquatic environments. A fact that remains largely unknown to the public is that waste found in aquatic environments does not enter the conventional waste management system. In other words, no one is officially responsible for its removal, and the cleanup efforts are reliant on the goodwill of volunteers. This scenario is the same across the EU as well as in the IPA countries. In the EU, waste is increasingly viewed as a resource, with efforts being made to find ways for its reuse to minimize the amounts sent to landfills, ideally aiming for zero waste. The situation in IPA countries is somewhat different, with ongoing efforts to find efficient ways to manage waste systems. An innovative and novel aspect of the project lies in its pioneering approach to development of the blue circular economy. It seeks to establish a framework for the advancement of the blue circular economy within cities and municipalities where prospects for substantial new investments are limited. A robust network is being cultivated, engaging citizens as dedicated volunteers who undergo specialized training in the collection and meticulous sorting of waste from aquatic environments. Subsequently, this segregated waste is channelled to diverse small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that employ cutting-edge scientific methodologies to convert it into refined granules, which are subsequently transformed into a myriad of highly versatile products. The proactive involvement and endorsement of municipalities and cities in empowering these volunteers and SMEs ensure the vigour and sustainability of this burgeoning network. This project aims to examine the current situation regarding plastic waste, including the regulatory frameworks, in each participating country. It will involve educating trainers on the use of digital tools and spectrometers, developing a methodology for cleaning and monitoring plastic waste, and creating a system that transforms plastic waste into new products. Additionally, the project will share knowledge with local and regional authorities and feed databases like EMODnet. Ultimately, the goal is to develop a comprehensive strategy for managing plastic waste in the ADRION region by fostering the development of the blue circular economy. This strategy will address the specific challenges and opportunities within the region, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste while promoting sustainable economic growth through innovative recycling and waste management practices.

Actual Achievements (EN):

During the first reporting period of the JOINABLE project (IPA-ADRION00294), spanning from September 2024 to February 2025, the project partners successfully implemented a wide range of impactful activities. Several coordination meetings were organized to ensure smooth collaboration among consortium members, and all planned deliverables were completed on time and in line with the project’s objectives. One of the most significant achievements during this phase was the development of the Report on Territory Diagnoses and Best Practices. This document was the result of joint work by all consortium members and includes clearly structured sections covering the legislative framework for the blue circular economy, key barriers and challenges, state-of-the-art innovations, and strategic recommendations. The finalized report, submitted as Deliverable D.1.1.1, marks a major milestone of the first reporting period. The consortium also actively contributed to the design, testing, and refinement of three specialized digital tools aimed at supporting environmental protection efforts. These include the SeaClear2.0 App, which fosters public engagement in plastic waste collection through gamification; the REMEDIES App, designed for standardized beach litter monitoring following JRC and EMODnet methodologies; and the Boat Buster App, which assists in identifying and managing the removal of abandoned “ghost boats” through features such as hazard analysis, logistical planning, and certification tracking. Additionally, a smart project dashboard was developed to enable real-time monitoring of activities and key indicators. At the close of the first reporting period, Deliverables D.1.2.1 (Improved and upgraded three digital apps) and D.1.2.2 (Smart dashboard) were successfully delivered. Furthermore, a Letter of Intent was drafted and shared among all partners, with the intention that each partner would customize the letter to reflect the priorities and interests of their respective local or regional communities or institutions. Project visibility was ensured through the creation of posters, regular updates on the official project website, and active use of the LinkedIn platform. In addition, partners promoted JOINABLE on their own institutional websites and through appearances in local and national media outlets, further strengthening public awareness and engagement with the project’s objectives.

Project outputs: Action plan for blue circular economy(EN)
Joint approach and methodology to blue circular economy(EN)
Clean up and monitoring action(EN)
Demonstration from waste to product(EN)
Value chain from waste to product(EN)
Joint strategy for blue circular economy in Adriatic and Ionian region (EN)
Partner network(EN)

Thematic information

Clustering and economic cooperation SME and entrepreneurship Waste and pollution

Priority: (VI-B_IPA-A_2) Supporting a greener and climate resilient Adriatic-Ionian region

Priority specific objective: RSO2.6. Promoting the transition to a circular and resource efficient economy

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: 071 Promoting the use of recycled materials as raw materials

Partners (9)

Lead Partner: Općina Punat

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 882778086

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HR59398328383 | OIB: 59398328383 | Personal identification number (EN)

Department: Single administrative department of Punat Municipality (Jedinstveni upravni odjel Općine Punat)

Address: Novi put, 51521 Punat, Croatia

Department address: Novi put, 51521 Punat, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.punat.hr

Total budget: EUR 299 890.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 254 906.50

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 44 983.50

Bashkia Divjakë

Name: Bashkia Divjakë

Department: Environmental and Veterinary Sector

Partner’s ID if not PIC: K54029405C

Address: “Santa Barbara” Square, Divjake , 9022 Divjaka , Albania

Department address: “Santa Barbara” Square, Divjake, 9022 Divjaka , Albania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Regional public authority

Website: http://www.bashkiadivjake.gov.al

Total budget: EUR 110 950.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 94 307.50

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 16 642.50

Универзитет за информатички науки и технологии "Св. Апостол Павле", Охрид

Name: Универзитет за информатички науки и технологии "Св. Апостол Павле", Охрид

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 956475679

Partner’s ID if not PIC: MK4020009508037

Address: Partizanska, 6000 Ohrid, North Macedonia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.uist.edu.mk

Total budget: EUR 114 530.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 97 350.50

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 17 179.50

Instituti per Menaxhimin e Mjedisit dhe Territorit

Name: Instituti per Menaxhimin e Mjedisit dhe Territorit

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 936114894

Partner’s ID if not PIC: L41615453J | Registration number 879 (EN)

Address: "Avni Rustemi" Square, Teuta Construction Building, 1015 Tirania, Albania

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.etmi-al.org

Total budget: EUR 96 368.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 81 912.80

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 14 455.20

Univerzitet Crne Gore, Pomorski fakultet Kotor

Name: Univerzitet Crne Gore, Pomorski fakultet Kotor

Department: Faculty of maritime studies Kotor

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 02016702

Address: Cetinjska, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: http://www.ucg.ac.me

Total budget: EUR 173 047.10

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 147 090.03

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 25 957.07

Contractors:

Name: Adnan Efović
VAT registration or tax identification number: n/a
Name: Predrag Janković
VAT registration or tax identification number: n/a

Ινστιτούτο Ανάπτυξης Επιχειρηματικότητας Αστική Εταιρεία

Name: Ινστιτούτο Ανάπτυξης Επιχειρηματικότητας Αστική Εταιρεία

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 998069182

Partner’s ID if not PIC: EL999152155

Address: Valtetsiou & Tripoleos Str., 41336 Larissa, Greece

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://ied.eu/

Total budget: EUR 170 360.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 144 806.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 25 554.00

Agenzia per l’Innovazione nel Settore Agroalimentare e della Pesca "Marche Agricoltura Pesca"

Name: Agenzia per l’Innovazione nel Settore Agroalimentare e della Pesca "Marche Agricoltura Pesca"

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 951755271

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 01491360424

Address: Via dell’Industria, 60027 Osimo, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Sectoral agency

Website: http://www.amap.marche.it

Total budget: EUR 137 927.50

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 117 238.37

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 20 689.13

Sensum d.o.o.

Name: Sensum d.o.o.

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 83240465383

Address: Kvaternikova , 51000 Rijeka, Croatia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: SME

Website: http://www.sensum.hr

Total budget: EUR 179 464.18

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 152 544.55

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 26 919.63

Venice Lagoon Plastic Free

Name: Venice Lagoon Plastic Free

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 897531204

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 94096940278

Address: Castello, 30122 Venice, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.plasticfreevenice.org

Total budget: EUR 185 200.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 157 420.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 27 780.00

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Divjaka

JOINt approAch to Blue circuLar Economy - for Adriatic and Ionian Region

Partners and Projects info

University of Information Sciences and Technology "St. Paul the Apostle", Ohrid

JOINt approAch to Blue circuLar Economy - for Adriatic and Ionian Region

Partners and Projects info

Environmental and Territorial Management Institute

JOINt approAch to Blue circuLar Economy - for Adriatic and Ionian Region

Partners and Projects info

University of Montenegro, Faculty of Maritime Studies Kotor

JOINt approAch to Blue circuLar Economy - for Adriatic and Ionian Region

Partners and Projects info

Institute of Entrepreneurship Development

JOINt approAch to Blue circuLar Economy - for Adriatic and Ionian Region

Partners and Projects info

Agency for Innovation in the Agri-food and Fisheries sectors “Marche Agriculture Fisheries”

JOINt approAch to Blue circuLar Economy - for Adriatic and Ionian Region

Partners and Projects info

Sensum ltd.

JOINt approAch to Blue circuLar Economy - for Adriatic and Ionian Region

Partners and Projects info

Venice Lagoon Plastic Free

JOINt approAch to Blue circuLar Economy - for Adriatic and Ionian Region

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Punat

JOINt approAch to Blue circuLar Economy - for Adriatic and Ionian Region

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): JOINt approAch to Blue circuLar Economy - for Adriatic and Ionian Region

Project acronym: JOINABLE

Project ID: IPA-ADRION00294

Project start date: 2024-09-01

Project end date: 2027-08-31

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

InNoPlastic - Innovative approaches towards prevention, removal and reuse of marine plastic litter (EN) | InNoPlastic - Innovative approaches towards prevention, removal and reuse of marine plastic litter It draws on the project's innovative technologies, best practices, and collaborative partnerships. Additionally, the project leverages existing research, EU projects, and stakeholder engagement. By utilizing the knowledge grown in three years of work on blue circular economy “from Marine Litter to products”, JOINABLE will be able to capitalise a critical advantage based on successful good practices made in Croatia to properly steer the process of blue economy circularity with a wide array of products for the best interest of the Adrion Region. On InNoPlastic based experience we will be able to successfully identify appropriate technologies, develop guidelines, and enhance cooperation among stakeholders. It ensures a scientifically sound approach, benefits from existing knowledge, and avoids duplication. Through these efforts, the project aims to effectively address plastic waste and promote circular economy practices in the ADRION region. (EN), Plastic Smart Cities (World Wildlife Fund Initiative) (EN) | JOINABLE will in cooperation with the WWF Plastic Smart Cities initiative for the Mediterranean, which aims to eradicate plastic in nature by 2030. The mission is to transition to a circular economy, where packaging and waste leaves no impact on the planet, where materials are recycled and reused to their fullest potential, where resources are responsibly managed, and negative impacts are actively avoided. The municipalities at Adriatic-Ionian region involved in the project will join the Plastic Smart Cities initiative by signing the Declaration of Intent. This will assure a long term impact of blue circular economy legacy of JOINABLE and sustainaed regional networking activities (14 Mediterranean cities already active) among the partners after project life ends.
(EN), SeaClear 2.0 (EN) |
BLUETECH will directly cooperate with SeaClear2.0 – Scalable Full-cycle Marine Litter Remediation in the Mediterranean: Robotic and Participatory Solutions. In particular through Venice Lagoon plastic Free, partner of SeaClear2.0 we will be able to extend the use of a comprehensive digital solution „SeaClear“ app to mobilise citizens in cooperation with waste amangement autotiries for bottom clean uo initiatives caapble to waste material for disposal and select waste material for feedstocking blue circular economy. Finally, it will bring also added value in expanding the outreach of JOINABLE partnership by bonding with project partners located in the Adrion Areas, more precicely in Croatia (Dubrovnik).
(EN), REMEDIES (EN) |
HORIZON EUROPE
BLUETECH will cooperate with REMEDIES since VLPF plays the role of single lighthouse demo case applied to the development and testing of the shoreline marine litter survey app, in compliance with EMODnet data format. We will then be able to provide macrolitter pollution data via citizen scence activities to feed EU common data base and in situ municiplaities and waste management autorities in support of overall waste manageent policy at the local and regional level. The litter charaterisation item by item, will also highly support the work of identification, recycling and valorisation of macrolitter in the blue circuar economy chain of value. Finally, it will bring also added value in expanding the outreach of JOINABLE partnership by bonding with project partners located in the Adrion Areas, more precicely in Koper (Slovenia), Cyclades (Greece), and Durres (Albania).
(EN), CIRCLE (EN) | CIRCLE was aimed increasing and spread knowledge on practical viability of circular economy principles,through a collaborative approach involving innovation producers business actors,administrative and financial organisms as well as civil society within urban areas, where biggest amount of waste is produced but also places where innovative models can be implemented. Main outputs:a transnational strategy to design&set up CIRCLABs;a transnational action plan to implement pilot actions;a CIRCLabs network (EN), Blue Bio Med (EN) | BLUE BIO MED is a strategic project funded under Interreg MED Axis 4 on governance that focuses on the blue bioeconomy. The project promotes the transformation of the Mediterranean blue bioeconomy field toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through innovation.. The project is an open platform for an inclusive co-design process in conjunction with the broader innovation community promoting a bottom-up MED Innovation Alliance for blue bioeconomy to streamline multiple efforts and initiatives around the Mediterranean. It supports the alliance’s start-up to boost the Mediterranean leadership in transformative innovation of the blue economy. (EN), MAELSTROM (EN) | MAELSTROM will broadly support the innovative solutions for JOINABLE advanced mechanical recycling of a wide array of plastics and non-plastic materials not covered by thermal treatment and organic material retrieved in the coastal and riverine areas in line with a circular economy and sustainable waste management concept. Specifically, MAELSTROM experience will provide synergic interplay and viable pathways in tackling the hard-to-recycle wastes such as fiberglass, large buoys, other plastics composites and metals through processes brought forward by SMEs scale industries. All the transformation phases, from detailed sorting and early processing from shredding and blending with different batches and types, additives and colorants, if necessary, pay the way to JOINABLE high-quality - community-level scale production parameters and telemetries. Lastly, MAELSTROM will contribute by providing the traceability of products from litter to product. Removed ML will be tracked from collection to its recycling process through a specific function developed in the MAELSTROM app, allowing traceability and providing a “litter-location-origin certificate” to the recycled materials. (EN), “GHOST BOATS” PILOT PROJECT (EN) | Since 2022, with private financial and crowdfunding derived support, VLPF developed a pilot programme for the identification, removal, and recycling of any fisherman and leisure end of life boats abandoned in nature, mostly made of fiberglass (known as ‘ghost boats’).
VLPF developed a dedicated app in its beta version which facilitated the identification of any abandoned boats, allowing the user to correctly determine factors such as the exact geolocation of the boat, its materials, its size, etc. This data proved invaluable in the removal and consequential correct disposal/recycling of the identified boats. JOINABLE will upgrade and extend this piece of valuable work to the Adrion region to build a chain of value to recycle and valorise composites and metals that are currently disregarded as far as such a specific problem is concerned. (EN), HEUROPE WINBLUE – WOMEN FOR BLUE ECONOMY (EN) | JOINABLE will cooperate with WINBLUE by identifying joint measures to accelerate the empowerment of women in the blue economy by facilitating their participation in 2 out of 5 different sectors revolving around the conservation and sustainable use of aquatic resources: (i) circular blue bioeconomy and biotechnology, (ii) aquaculture and fisheries.
WINBLUE will also be resourceful to JOINABLE, implementing a data collection and monitoring strategy to both benchmarks and monitor the evolution of gender inclusiveness in the blue economy sectors and fill the data gaps that still exist. This complements a comprehensive identification and assessment of highly replicable good practices which can quickly be adopted and transferred to different sectors and types of organisations.
In this context, JOINABLE can support by designing and validating upskilling programs that enhance good entrepreneurial practices that engage female human capital, drive competitiveness and strengthen R&I undertakings along Adrion regions.
(EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 467 736.78

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 247 576.25

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 85.00%

Co-financing sources:

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Report on territory diagnosis and best practices
Improved and upgraded three digital apps
Smart dashboard
Joint Action plan for blue circular economy
Letters of intent with local municipalities
Joint action plan for cross borders sea and waters litter monitoring and clean-ups
Joint cross border training workshop for digitalised litter monitoring and clean-up campaigns
Feeding project smart dashboard with in field data, web site and related social media
Joint crossborder report on use of 3 different apps
Report on Ghost boat campaign and removal of ghost boats
Summary of data provided and ingested by EDMOnet database and map viewer for the ADRION region
Joint cross border report on marine and fresh waters litter and composites feedstock
Transnational guideline for pilot action implementation
Report on pilot actions from waste to product
Products from waste
Products inventory report from recycled and valorised plastics and composites
Project circular economy show room at Lead partner exposition area
Video of the blue circular economy products and solutions
Action plan for exploitation of results with Business plan for SMEs driven blue circular economy
Demonstration of business cases
Strategy on blue circular economy for Adriatic and Ionian region
Local Municipalities signed Declaration of intent
Action plan for Lead partner
Participation at Conference of EUSAIR

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyAdriaticIonianRegion 1. Blue Growth: The project addresses the challenges and opportunities of the blue economy in the ADRION region by blue promoting circular economy practices in the management of plastic waste. By reducing plastic pollution and promoting sustainable practices in sectors such as fisheries and tourism, the project supports the sustainable growth of the blue economy.
2. Environmental Quality: The project directly tackles the issue of plastic waste pollution, which has significant negative impacts on the environmental quality of the ADRION region. By implementing sustainable treatment methods for marine and riverine litter, including hard-to-recycle plastics, the project contributes to the preservation and restoration of environmental quality in coastal and marine areas.
EuropeanGreenDeal 1. Circular Economy: The project's core focus on circular economy principles aligns with the European Green Deal's objective of transitioning to a circular economy model. By promoting the recycling, reusing, and repurposing of plastic waste, the project contributes to the reduction of resource consumption, waste generation, and environmental pollution.
2. Pollution Reduction: The project directly addresses plastic pollution, which is a significant source of environmental pollution in the ADRION region. By implementing effective waste management practices and raising awareness about the environmental impacts of plastic waste, the project contributes to the European Green Deal's goal of reducing pollution and protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
3. Sustainable Resource Use: The project aims to establish a new chain of value from marine and riverine litter, including hard-to-recycle plastics. By integrating these waste materials into circular economy processes, the project promotes sustainable resource use and reduces the reliance on virgin materials, aligning with the European Green Deal's objective of achieving resource efficiency.
4. Research and Innovation: The project's emphasis on collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation aligns with the European Green Deal's focus on research and innovation. By engaging with research institutions and promoting the uptake of innovative solutions, the project contributes to the development and implementation of sustainable technologies and practices in the circular economy and waste management sectors.
Other The EU Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters" (Mediterranean Lighthouse)
1. All partners of JOINABLE will endorse the Mission Charter with its three main principles: (i)Protect and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity, in line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030; (ii) Prevent and eliminate pollution of our ocean, seas and waters, in line with the EU Action Plan Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil; (iii) Make the sustainable blue economy carbon-neutral and circular, in line with the proposed European Climate Law and the holistic vision enshrined in the Sustainable Blue Economy Strategy. This is a legacy that will stand after the end of the project lifetime.
2. JOINABLE will also contribute to the Mission by cooperating with the CSA BLUEMED project HEurope projects SeaClear2.0 and REMEDIES funded under the Topic: HORIZON-MISS-2021-OCEAN-03-01 – Mediterranean Sea basin lighthouse – actions to prevent, minimise and remediate litter and plastic pollution. More specifically, the inter-project cooperation will take place by coalescing and connecting (i) citizen science and bottom up clean up activities to build waste material for blue circular economy feedstock; (ii) communication, awareness and capacity building activities for the transfer and exchange and the promotion of blue circular economy solutions and related products, from the Mediterranean to the Adrion scale and vice versa (such as the International workshop on marine litter removal and circular economy held in Venice a yearly basis), (iii) methodological and technical cooperation at a multiple scale.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
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:

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-B IPA Adriatic-Ionian

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

2025-10-06

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

70 / 70 (100%)

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

646 / 646 (100%)

Notes on the data

Languages

Contact Form

JOINt approAch to Blue circuLar Economy - for Adriatic and Ionian Region

Description

Thematic information

Partners (9)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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

Disclaimer