REMEDIES 7th General Assembly and 6th Cluster Meeting in Oristano, Sardinia:
Protected Areas and Citizens Unite Against Plastic Pollution
October 6–9, 2025 | Oristano, Sardinia, Italy
From October 6th to 9th, 2025, the city of Oristano in Sardinia hosted the 7th General Assembly of the REMEDIES project, under the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters.” Organized by the National Research Council (CNR) – Institute of Anthropic Impact and Sustainability in Marine Environment (IAS) and the Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB) – the four-day event gathered project partners, researchers, policymakers, and civil society representatives to exchange knowledge and advance collaborative actions against marine litter.
6th REMEDIES Cluster Meeting – Protected Areas and Citizens Against Plastic Pollution
The event opened on October 6th with the 6th REMEDIES Cluster Meeting, themed “Protected areas and citizens against plastic pollution.” The session served as a space for dialogue between research institutions, environmental organisations, and local communities on strategies to prevent and mitigate plastic waste in marine protected areas (MPAs).
Opening remarks by Mariacristina Cocca (CNR-IPCB) highlighted the importance of connecting science, policy, and citizen engagement to strengthen Mediterranean resilience. Presentations explored the critical role of MPAs as observatories for marine litter and biodiversity monitoring, as well as the impact of grassroots initiatives in influencing recent EU bans on intentionally added plastics and microplastics.
Speakers included Gloria Consoli (CNR Rome), who discussed citizen science under the BlueMissionMed initiative; Cesare Cittadini (Cittadini SPA), presenting biodegradable fishing net prototypes; and Annamaria Vujanovic (University of Maribor), who introduced funding opportunities for technology providers within Horizon Europe through the TASC-RestoreMed project. Other sessions examined litter–biota interactions, the role of the Sardinian Regional Network for the Conservation of Marine Fauna, and community initiatives such as the Sea Scouts’ collaborations with CNR and CReS.
The meeting concluded with reflections on the essential role of citizen participation and protected area networks in driving systemic change. It showcased how collaboration between research institutions and local actors can turn innovation into tangible results for cleaner coasts and healthier ecosystems.
Read more about the Cluster Meeting: https://remedies-for-ocean.eu/6th-remedies-cluster-meeting-protected-areas-and-citizens-against-plastic-pollution/
7th REMEDIES General Assembly
Following the cluster meeting, the 7th General Assembly convened from October 7th to 9th. Partners presented progress across all Work Packages (WP1–WP7), including milestone achievements, upcoming deliverables, and coordination priorities before the second reporting period. Sessions featured detailed overviews by WP leaders — INFOR, NIC, ANGR, UM, F6S, and IHA — covering technical development, environmental monitoring, communication activities, and replication strategies for technology providers.
Dedicated discussions focused on regional action plans per demo site, including the Sardinian pilot, where innovative materials and community-led interventions are being tested to reduce plastic pollution in coastal and marine environments.
Local Engagement and Field Visits
In keeping with the project’s commitment to hands-on action, participants joined a series of field visits. Highlights included a visit to the Cabras Museum, the Peschiera Pontis fishery, and a presentation at Is Arutas Beach, part of the Sinis Marine Protected Area, showcasing local conservation and restoration efforts. The General Assembly concluded with a Clean-Up activity and a visit to the Sea Turtle Rescue Center at San Giovanni di Sinis, reinforcing REMEDIES’ dedication to tangible, citizen-inclusive action against plastic waste.
Discover more about REMEDIES Innovation Marketplace at: https://remedies-for-ocean.eu/innovation-marketplace/
