A toolbox for public authorities to address marine plastics and litter from river-to-ocean

Program Code: HORIZON-MISS-2025- 03-OCEAN-02

Program Type: Innovation Actions

Research Areas: Projects should address marine plastic litter from land-to-river-to-ocean, enhancing knowledge, designing appropriate tools and solutions to prevent and remove litter. Solutions should be co-designed with relevant public authorities and public service providers and cover one of the 4 European Mission basins (Atlantic and Arctic Sea basin is one). Work should focus on inland waters.

The main deliverable will be a toolbox providing evidence-based data and information on sources, pathways, distribution and cumulative impacts of marine litter on ecosystems and water quality, including plastics and information on related hotspots and areas of accumulation, together with a set of demonstrated, sustainable and environmentally sound removal solutions, as well as measures to prevent litter and plastics reaching the sea. This should include measures to engage with society and relevant industrial sectors, including the fishing industry, to prevent plastic litter reaching the sea and to support the uptake of innovative solutions. Activities are expected to achieve Technology Readiness Level 6-8.

Total Funding Available: €22M EURO for 4 projects of €4.5-5.5M EURO each

• Contact MPO as soon as possible in the project planning stage