Projects

JOINABLE

The University of Information Sciences and Technology “St. Paul the Apostle” – Ohrid is implementing the project JOINt approAch to Blue circuLar Economy – for Adriatic and Ionian Region (JOINABLE)

Project Overview  

JOINABLE is a transnational project bringing together nine partner organizations from six countries – Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, and Greece – with the shared objective of advancing a blue circular economy founded on the reuse of plastic waste collected from marine and freshwater environments. The project focuses on assessing the current state of plastic pollution and reviewing relevant legislative and policy frameworks across the participating countries.  

Key project activities include capacity building through training on digital tools and spectrometry, the design of standardized methods for plastic waste collection, cleaning, and monitoring, and the development of innovative processes that convert plastic waste into value-added products. Furthermore, JOINABLE supports the exchange of knowledge with local and regional authorities and contributes relevant data to European platforms such as EMODnet.  

The long-term ambition of the project is to establish an integrated and sustainable plastic waste management strategy for the ADRION region. By supporting innovation and cooperation within the blue circular economy, the project seeks to reduce environmental pressures caused by plastic pollution while simultaneously encouraging sustainable economic development.  

Project Scope and Objectives  

The project aims to foster the establishment and growth of a blue circular economy by tackling marine and freshwater litter. This is achieved through the development of holistic approaches, the deployment of scalable and transferable solutions, pilot demonstrations, awareness-raising activities, and strengthened cross-border cooperation. JOINABLE also promotes the uptake of innovative tools and business models and supports the creation of a transnational network within the Adriatic-Ionian area.  

Expected Results  

– Joint strategies and action plans adopted by organizations
– Organizations continuing cross-border cooperation after project completion
– Solutions adopted or up-scaled by organizations
Donor

European Union, Interreg IPA ADRION Programme

Duration

01.09.2024 – 31.08.2027

Partners: 

Municipality of Punat, Sensum d.o.o, VLP (Venice Lagoon Plastic Free), AMAP (Agency for Innovation in the Agri-food and Fisheries sectors), University of Montenegro, Faculty of Maritime Studies – Kotor, University of Information Sciences and Technology “St. Paul the Apostle” – Ohrid, Municipality of Divjaka, ETMI (Environmental and Territorial Management Institute), IED (Institute of Entrepreneurship Development)