Strengthening Regional Collaboration

Joint activities that will foster synergy

Project MicroDrink recently established a new connection with microplastic researchers from the Danube Region. The meeting took place at the premises of the Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" (IBISS), an Institute of National Importance for the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade. Members of the MicroDrink team from project partner Faculty of Mining and Geology, University of Belgrade (FMG UB), participated in discussion with members of two projects: AquaμPlaS (Microplastics in aquatic ecosystems of Serbia – monitoring and legal frameworks, funded for the period 2023-2025) and ADRIPLAST (Adriatic Sea and plastic and microplastic pollution from freshwaters – an Adrion territorial challenge, funded by the EU, Interreg – IPA Adrion, for the period 2024-2027). Colleagues from IBISS presented the AquaµPlaS and ADRIPLAST projects, while project members from FMG UB shared progress on the MicroDrink project.

AquaµPlaS, part of the WWF Adriatic Call "ACTIONS OF SERBIA IN THE FIELD OF THE ENVIRONMENT, NATURE AND CLIMATE - SAFE NATURE AND CLIMATE," is being carried out jointly by the Group for the Development of Environmental Awareness (GRES) and researchers from the Department of Hydroecology and Water Protection at IBISS. The project involves the development of a relational database cataloging previous results related to the detection, quantification, and categorization of microplastic particles in aquatic ecosystems across the Republic of Serbia. It also includes a proposal for developing a monitoring plan of MPs and the establishment of a Microplastics Center at IBISS.

The ADRIPLAST project aims to address the growing issue of plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems, with a particular focus on the Adriatic and Ionian seas, and its detrimental impacts on biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health. The project promotes collaboration among researchers from six partner countries: Universitary Consortium for Socioeconomic Research and for the Environment and University of Ferrara (Italy), Ruđer Bošković Institute (Croatia), National Institute of Biology (Slovenia), IBISS (Serbia), Institute of Public Health of Montenegro (Montenegro), and the National Center of Environmental Movement (Albania). The goal is to develop sustainable solutions for reducing plastic waste.

During the meeting, researchers discussed the progress made by the AquaµPlaS project, including the creation of a relational database and steps taken to establish the Microplastics Center of Serbia. The MicroDrink team also presented its findings to date. Additionally, the shared goals of the ADRIPLAST and MicroDrink projects were discussed. It was agreed to organize a joint panel that would bring together all projects currently being implemented in Serbia that focus on microplastic pollution.