Training on Monitoring of Micro and Macrolitter

On May 22, 2025, Shota Rustaveli State University in Batumi hosted a hybrid-format practical training dedicated to the monitoring of marine micro- and macrolitter. The event was jointly organized within the frameworks of the Interreg CARE SEA and EMFAF RESPONSE projects. The training emphasized collaboration with local stakeholders and students. A particular focus was placed on interactive learning: students accounted for more than half of the participants (14 out of 24, or 58%), ensuring the active involvement of the next generation of marine specialists.

The sessions combined theoretical presentations with practical exercises on methods for assessing marine litter, fostering stronger cooperation between projects and institutions. This joint CARE SEA–RESPONSE initiative highlights how collaboration enhances regional capacity in the Black Sea basin to tackle marine pollution challenges.

On May 24, 2025, participants continued the program with field activities that involved collecting and quantifying coastal litter on the beach in front of Shota Rustaveli State University in Batumi. This fieldwork provided students and stakeholders with hands-on experience in methodologies for assessing and categorizing coastal litter, thus linking scientific knowledge with community engagement activities.