This September has been an eventful and inspiring month for the Circular Ocean-bound Plastic (COP) project, as we brought together our dedicated partners for two major activities in Germany. Funded by the Interreg South Baltic Programme, the project continues to gain momentum in our mission to reduce plastic waste in the Baltic Sea region.
Partner Meeting in Rostock/Warnemünde
We kicked off the month with an engaging physical partner meeting in the picturesque city of Rostock/Warnemünde. Familiar faces and a few new ones gathered for two days of workshops and a site visit to the Rostock harbor, where our partners from the Leibniz-Institut für Ostseeforschung Warnemünde and Universität Rostock have installed portbins to collect and analyze marine waste.
The hands-on sessions allowed us to delve deeper into the project’s progress, exchanging ideas, sharing results, and refining our strategies. The energy and enthusiasm of the group were palpable, reminding us of the strength of cross-border collaboration. Special thanks go to Leibniz-Institut für Ostseeforschung Warnemünde for hosting us.
Interreg South Baltic Annual Event in Stralsund
Just two weeks later, we had the pleasure of attending the Interreg South Baltic Annual Event in Stralsund. Hosted at the stunning Ozeaneum, this event provided an incredible platform for networking, learning, and celebrating the power of cross-border cooperation. We showcased our COP project at a dedicated project stand, where we were thrilled to see the strong interest from fellow attendees. The discussions highlighted how critical collaborative efforts are for reducing plastic waste and protecting the Baltic Sea’s unique ecosystem.
Beyond the workshops and networking sessions, the event also featured a guided city tour and a memorable dinner surrounded by the museum’s “giants of the sea” exhibit. It was the perfect way to mark #InterregCooperationDay and to remind us all that the sea connects us rather than divides us.
We’re excited to continue building on the insights and connections from these events and look forward to ongoing collaboration through the Ocean Plastic Hub, which remains open to anyone interested in reducing ocean plastic. The Hub is a free resource for sharing knowledge and joining forces to tackle this pressing environmental issue.
Thank you to the Interreg South Baltic Programme for organizing such a meaningful and well-rounded event, and to all our partners for their continued commitment to the project.
