European UnionDeadline PassedNon-profit, Private Business, Research Institution, Public Institution, Other
A toolbox for public authorities to address marine plastics and litter from river-to-ocean
Mission: Restore our Ocean, seas and waters by 2030
Funding Amount
€4.5M - €5.5M
Deadline
24/09/2025
Eligible Organization Types
Non-profit, Private Business, Research Institution, Public Institution, Other
Trusted by
What is the A toolbox for public authorities to address marine plastics and litter from river-to-ocean Call?
Grant Description
This call supports innovation actions to co-design, develop and demonstrate a toolbox for public authorities and stakeholders to monitor, prevent and remove marine plastic litter along a land-to-river-to-sea approach at basin level. Projects will generate evidence-based data on sources, pathways, hotspots and impacts, deliver sustainable removal solutions and prevention measures, test the toolbox through multi-country use cases, engage associated regions via financial support to third parties, s...
Required Results for Successful Funding
Expected Outcomes
- Public authorities and relevant stakeholders gain access to a comprehensive toolbox to address marine plastic litter using a land-to-river-to-sea basin approach
• Measurable reduction of plastic litter pollution in European rivers and seas at basin level
• Accelerated uptake of innovative solutions for prevention and removal of litter, including plastics reaching the sea in Mission basins
• Enhanced scientific and operational knowledge on marine litter (including plastics), aligned with MSFD Technical Group guidelines
• Measurable contributions towards the Mission ‘Restore our Ocean, seas and waters by 2030’ and EU Zero Pollution targets, achieving at least a 50% reduction of plastic in the sea
• Contribution to the Mission’s Digital Ocean and Water Knowledge System through the generation of marine observations, open data publication and knowledge sharing
• Measurable reduction of plastic litter pollution in European rivers and seas at basin level
• Accelerated uptake of innovative solutions for prevention and removal of litter, including plastics reaching the sea in Mission basins
• Enhanced scientific and operational knowledge on marine litter (including plastics), aligned with MSFD Technical Group guidelines
• Measurable contributions towards the Mission ‘Restore our Ocean, seas and waters by 2030’ and EU Zero Pollution targets, achieving at least a 50% reduction of plastic in the sea
• Contribution to the Mission’s Digital Ocean and Water Knowledge System through the generation of marine observations, open data publication and knowledge sharing
Funded areas
Scope Requirements
- Address a single European sea basin: 1) Atlantic & Arctic; 2) Mediterranean; 3) Baltic & North Sea; or 4) Danube & Black Sea
• Adopt a land-to-river-to-sea approach at basin level, focusing on inland waters (including deltas and coastal zones)
• Provide a toolbox integrating: monitoring/data collection, removal solutions, and preventive/engagement measures
• Collect data following the MSFD Technical Group’s new guidelines and ensure open availability via EMODnet under FAIR principles
• Embed cross-border cooperation at national, regional and local levels throughout toolbox development
• Demonstrate toolbox effectiveness with at least three use-cases in three different countries within the chosen basin, at strategically selected sites
• Engage three ‘associated regions’ not involved in the use-cases to develop a replication plan
• Outline third-party selection process in compliance with the Financial Support to Third Parties application template and General Annexes
• Ensure interoperability and data storage in the EU Digital Twin of the Ocean platform for any developed digital tools
• Coordinate with relevant EU projects, partnerships and research infrastructures; consider cooperation with EU Outermost Regions
• Adopt a land-to-river-to-sea approach at basin level, focusing on inland waters (including deltas and coastal zones)
• Provide a toolbox integrating: monitoring/data collection, removal solutions, and preventive/engagement measures
• Collect data following the MSFD Technical Group’s new guidelines and ensure open availability via EMODnet under FAIR principles
• Embed cross-border cooperation at national, regional and local levels throughout toolbox development
• Demonstrate toolbox effectiveness with at least three use-cases in three different countries within the chosen basin, at strategically selected sites
• Engage three ‘associated regions’ not involved in the use-cases to develop a replication plan
• Outline third-party selection process in compliance with the Financial Support to Third Parties application template and General Annexes
• Ensure interoperability and data storage in the EU Digital Twin of the Ocean platform for any developed digital tools
• Coordinate with relevant EU projects, partnerships and research infrastructures; consider cooperation with EU Outermost Regions
Additional Conditions for Applicants
Special Conditions
- Financial Support to Third Parties: grants up to EUR 100,000 per third party (local/regional authorities/public bodies), provided once per project; must outline selection process per topic-specific conditions, Financial Support to Third Parties template and Part B of General Annexes
• Open science obligations: all in-situ data and marine observations to be published via EMODnet in line with FAIR principles
• Use of satellite data/services: where applicable, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS
• Evaluation rules: balanced portfolio across the four basins; at least one funded proposal per basin if thresholds met
• Adhere to admissibility, eligibility and capacity conditions described in General Annexes (Annexes A–C)
• Compliance with MGA open science clauses and Horizon Europe Programme Guide, including the open data and knowledge sharing mandates
• Interoperability with the EU Digital Twin of the Ocean: ensure continuity, synergies and legacy of digital tools and data storage
• Encourage cooperation with ESFRI research infrastructures and EU Outermost Regions
• Open science obligations: all in-situ data and marine observations to be published via EMODnet in line with FAIR principles
• Use of satellite data/services: where applicable, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS
• Evaluation rules: balanced portfolio across the four basins; at least one funded proposal per basin if thresholds met
• Adhere to admissibility, eligibility and capacity conditions described in General Annexes (Annexes A–C)
• Compliance with MGA open science clauses and Horizon Europe Programme Guide, including the open data and knowledge sharing mandates
• Interoperability with the EU Digital Twin of the Ocean: ensure continuity, synergies and legacy of digital tools and data storage
• Encourage cooperation with ESFRI research infrastructures and EU Outermost Regions
Important dates
Open from: 07/05/2025
Deadline:24/09/2025
Application period has ended
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