Building on its active role in the REMEDIES project, ETMI is now launching three additional initiatives focused on tackling marine litter across Albania and the wider Adriatic–Ionian region. Each of these projects includes targeted beach litter monitoring and clean-up activities, which will be carried out at various locations in Albania. Importantly, ETMI will replicate the proven protocol developed under the REMEDIES project, ensuring consistency, scientific reliability, and continuity of impact, by using the REMEDIES Shoreline Marine Litter App v.1.0.
The first project, “Cleaner Rivers – Cleaner Seas” (RIVER CLEAN), is implemented by Milieukontakt Albania in partnership with ETMI and funded by the European Delegation in Albania. Running from January 2025 to June 2027, the initiative focuses on river-based litter prevention in the Ishëm and Vjosa basins—two critical points of plastic inflow into the Adriatic Sea. By combining clean-up efforts, citizen engagement, and policy-oriented actions, the project aims to intercept plastic waste before it reaches marine ecosystems. More info here
The second project, “Marine Litter Prevention in Sazani and Kune Vain Islands”, also implemented with Milieukontakt Albania and funded by the Beyond Plastic Med (BeMed) initiative, addresses pollution on Albania’s fragile coastal islands. Scheduled to run from April 2025 to March 2027, the project targets two biodiversity-rich island zones with regular clean-up operations and monitoring activities. It adopts a community-centered approach, engaging local stakeholders in protecting these marine habitats. More info here
The third project, JOINALBLE (JOINt ApproAch to Blue circuLar Economy), is a broader regional initiative under the Interreg IPA ADRION programme, involving partners from across the Adriatic and Ionian region. With ETMI as one of the core partners, the project (September 2024–August 2027) focuses on promoting circular economy solutions for marine pollution through cross-border collaboration, research, and awareness-raising. In Albania, the project will support clean-up actions and monitoring campaigns based on the same methodology developed under REMEDIES. More info here
Through these new projects, ETMI reinforces its leadership in marine litter prevention and continues to scale up the methodologies piloted in REMEDIES. From coastal islands to inland rivers and international cooperation, the replication of beach litter monitoring and clean-up protocols ensures that local action contributes to wider systemic change.
