MIO - ECSDE

It has been amazing to be one of the 15 exemplary projects supported by the UNESCO Office in Venice, in partnership with the Aberdeen Group Charitable Foundation, advancing research and education through innovative approaches. 🌍✨

Our participatory science project on marine litter in the Asterousia Biosphere Reserve demonstrated how community engagement, science, and education can drive collaborative governance and localized solutions for long-term resilience in biosphere reserves. 🤝🐬

The project produced a conceptual model for community-based research and effective marine plastic pollution governance, offering a scalable framework for other biosphere reserves to tackle marine plastic pollution through inclusive, community-driven strategies. ♻️

🙌 A heartfelt thank you to the 250 volunteers whose contributions made this research possible and continue to shape the future of our oceans! 💙🌊

For those interested, the results of our study can be read in our article 📖 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115474

🎥 youtube.com/watch?v=9JMpAFk-01E&feature=youtu.be

Science for sustainability: promoting sustainable development through UNESCO’s programmes and sites Implemented by the UNESCO Office in Venice, in partnership with the Aberdeen Group Charitable Foundation, the project ‘Promoting sustainable development thro...

Ramadan Mubarak 🌙

As the month of Ramadan begins, a time for grace, generocity and reflection, we extend sincere greetings to all who are observing!

📢 Have you registered for the 3rd edition of MED Talks?

Co-organised by the Interreg Euro-MED Programme and the Union for the Mediterranean, MED Talks is a valuable opportunity for dialogue, exchange, and knowledge-sharing among key Mediterranean stakeholders.

This 3rd edition will highlight successful outcomes and best practices from labelled Interreg Euro-MED projects, fostering collaboration across Euro-Mediterranean programmes. Discussions will focus on the latest results and knowledge transfer from 8 Governance Projects and 88 Thematic Projects, all contributing to the four Euro-MED Missions:

💡 Strengthening an innovative and sustainable economy
🌿 Protecting the natural environment and cultural heritage
🏡 Promoting green and resilient living areas
🏖️ Enhancing sustainable tourism

📅 16 December | Online
🕘 09:00–12:45 (CET)

🔗 Register here: https://interreg-euro-med.eu/en/2025-12-16-med-talks-registration/

👉 Full agenda: https://lnkd.in/ewFduurr

🌍 COP24 of the UNEP/MAP – Barcelona Convention System has come to an end. Our thanks go to the Secretariat and Egypt, the host country, for the second time since 1991.

MIO-ECSDE had a strong and highly visible presence, actively contributing to the discussions and solutions-oriented exchanges. Our team participated in many side events, sharing insights on the Strategy on WEFE Nexus in the Mediterranean Source-to-Sea Continuum, Decarbonization of the Maritime Industry, Education for Sustainable Development, Blue Economy, and the essential role of civil society and youth in shaping a greener Mediterranean future, among other critical issues for the region.

A highlight of our engagement was the official intervention of Prof. Michael Scoullos, Chairman of MIO - ECSDE and Team Leader of the EU funded Wes bca project, where he emphasized the urgent need for more coherent, transparent, and accountable environmental governance in the region:

“Governments are constantly running to catch up because of delays in strengthening governance structures, establishing robust institutions that work together, in transparency and with accountability, hand in hand with civil society.”

We remain committed to supporting the Contracting Parties and all partners in accelerating action for a sustainable, resilient .