Tethys4Adrion – Strengthening cross-border cooperation to reduce plastic litter in rivers in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas
Tethys4Adrion – Enhancing Cross-Border Cooperation for Riverine Plastic Litter Reduction in the Adriatic and Ionian
Tethys4Adrion – Strengthening cross-border cooperation to reduce plastic waste in rivers in the Adriatic and Ionian regions
The TETHYS4ADRION project addresses the pressing issues of climate change and plastic waste pollution, focusing on rivers as transport routes that link land-based sources of waste with marine environments, particularly in the Adriatic-Ionian region. The Adriatic-Ionian Sea faces anthropogenic pressures from urbanisation, tourism, agriculture and industry, making it highly vulnerable to pollution from rivers. The aim of the project is to harmonise monitoring and sampling protocols, map waste sources and retention areas, and promote cross-border cooperation between stakeholders. The ultimate aim of the project is to gather information on river pollution and, indirectly, to contribute to the protection of biodiversity and waste management. As part of the project, the Water Institute of the Republic of Slovenia will lead the development of a harmonised approach and the preparation of operational guidelines for monitoring and assessing plastic waste in rivers.
GENERAL PROJECT INFORMATION
Full project title: Enhancing Cross-Border Cooperation for Riverine Plastic Litter Reduction in the Adriatic and Ionian
Slovenian project title: Strengthening cross-border cooperation to reduce plastic waste in rivers in the Adriatic and Ionian regions
Project acronym: Tethys4Adrion
Project code: IPA-ADRION00176
Programme: Adriatic-Ionian Programme (2021–2027)
Objective: The overall aim of the TETHYS4ADRION project is to develop a unified approach to managing waste pollution in pre-defined watercourses (Isonzo/Soča, Neretva, Bojana/Bune) with a particular focus on determining a) the sources from which plastic waste enters rivers, b) practical and feasible measures that can prevent plastic waste from entering rivers, and c) policy – a legislative framework/guidelines supporting the proposed measures to prevent the entry of (plastic) waste into aquatic environments. The project activities include the preparation of an assessment of waste input via rivers into the Adriatic/Ionian Sea, including an assessment of waste sources, the development of a set of best practices for waste prevention, and the preparation of guidelines to improve sustainable management across the entire region. The project will involve various target groups (the general public – citizen science, experts and decision-makers), and will therefore build on interactions with key local, regional, national and international stakeholders.
Project partners:
SI National Institute of Chemistry (lead partner)
SI Water Research Institute of the Republic of Slovenia
HR Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries
AL University of Tirana
IT Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research
GR Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development
GR Hellenic Centre for Marine Research
ME Institute of Marine Biology, University of Montenegro
HR City of Metković
BA City of Čapljina
Associated partners:
SI Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Energy – Environmental Agency of the Republic of Slovenia
SI Soške elektrarne Nova Gorica d.o.o.
SI Posoški Development Centre
GR Ministry of Environment and Energy
GR Aegean Rebreath
IT Po River Basin Authority
HR Croatian Water Authority
SI Water Directorate of the Republic of Slovenia
GR United Nations Environment Programme/Mediterranean Action Plan
Project duration:
1 September 2024 – 1 September 2027
Related content:
Programme website: https://www.interreg-ipa-adrion.eu/
Project website: https://tethys4adrion.interreg-ipa-adrion.eu/
Partners
About the project
Programme
Interreg IPA Adrion (2021–2027)
Project
value
Total project value: EUR 1,690,192.10
Co-financing from IPA Adrion: EUR 1,436,663.28
Value of IzVRS in the project
EUR 142,607.50
Co-financing from IPA Adrion (85%)
EUR 121,216.37
Own contribution – Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning (15%)
EUR 21,391.13
Project leader
Dr Tine Bizjak
Collaborators
Dr Tine Bizjak
, Štefan Trdan
, Uroš Robič
, Matjaž Kepec
, Klemen Šavli
Project duration
1 September 2024 – 1 September 2027
Contact
Dr Tine Bizjak
00 386 1 47 75 348
Project library
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