MicroDrink Project Held 3rd Partner Meeting in Neufahrn bei Freising, Germany

The MicroDrink project held its 3^rd Partner Meeting in Neufahrn bei Freising, Germany, from March 19^th to 21^th, 2025. Hosted by Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (Project Partner 12) and supported by the Lead Partner, the Croatian Geological Survey, along with the Communication Manager, the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Mining and Geology, the meeting gathered project partners to discuss progress in microplastics research.

Discussions focused on insights from national stakeholder workshops, an overview of initial national sampling results in the drinking water resources of the Danube River Basin, and strategies to strengthen institutional and technical capacities while enhancing public awareness of microplastic pollution. Additionally, all partners presented their dissemination activities and synergy-building efforts, while the Communication Manager encouraged them to maintain strong outreach efforts.

A site visit to water facility of Zweckverband Wasserversorgungsgruppe Freising-Süd, Associated Strategic Partner 2, provided insights into water management practices within German pilot site. This was followed by a collaborative session with the DALIA project team at Erlangen University, where both projects were presented and potential synergies in microplastic research, data sharing, and joint dissemination activities were explored.

The meeting concluded with a successful First-Year Review, which included a monitoring visit by the MA/JS to evaluate the project's technical and financial performance, reaffirming its progress and impact. The 3^rd Partner Meeting highlighted the commitment of all partners to advancing microplastic research and fostering cross-border collaboration, setting a solid foundation for the next phase of the project.