Context
The Mediterranean is currently the most plastic-polluted sea in the world, with over 229,000 tonnes of plastic waste dumped into its waters every year.
Once released into the natural environment, plastic affects water quality, marine flora and fauna, and can take up to 500 years to decompose. Driven by our consumption patterns, plastic pollution in the oceans is one of the major ecological challenges we must address for the future of our planet and its biodiversity.
Objectives
- Support the “Beyond Plastic Med” (BeMed) micro-initiatives call, which aims to raise awareness and mobilize civil society through concrete actions against plastic pollution in the Mediterranean.
- Foster a network of grassroots stakeholders and support local projects and solutions with strong potential for large-scale replication.
Actions
- Provide annual support to around fifteen micro-initiatives across the Mediterranean region, each receiving a grant of €10,000.
- Facilitate a Community of Practice that brings together all past project leaders: sharing experiences, webinars, meetings, resources, and more.
- Promote and showcase the projects and their outcomes through targeted communication efforts.
Partners
Explore
The Beyond Plastic Med initiative was launched on March 10, 2015, during an international conference in Monaco. Created by a coalition including the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the MAVA Foundation, Tara Expeditions Foundation, Surfrider Foundation Europe, and the IUCN, the initiative brings together key stakeholders from across the plastics value chain—NGOs, industry leaders, local authorities, scientists, and civil society—to commit to concrete actions that protect the environment and combat the spread of plastic pollution in the Mediterranean.