Students, teachers, local authorities and active citizens joined forces through the JOINABLE project to take part in environmental awareness and beach clean-up activities in Igoumenitsa and Velika, Agia. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about plastic pollution, marine litter and microplastics, while encouraging young people to become active contributors to environmental protection and sustainable communities.
What is the JOINABLE Project?
JOINABLE is a European project focused on tackling plastic pollution in aquatic and marine ecosystems through environmental education, citizen engagement and scientific monitoring. By combining clean-up activities, awareness campaigns and data collection, the project seeks to strengthen environmental responsibility and contribute to reducing plastic and microplastic pollution across local communities.
Environmental Education and Beach Clean-Up in Igoumenitsa
The first JOINABLE activity took place in Igoumenitsa on 5 May and was organised by the Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (iED). A total of 42 students from the 2nd Junior High School of Igoumenitsa participated in an interactive environmental education workshop focusing on plastic pollution, the impact of microplastics on biodiversity and human health, and the importance of responsible waste management.
The workshop, coordinated by Dr Andreas Almpanis, encouraged students to actively engage with environmental issues through hands-on learning activities. Participants also contributed to the production of more than 100 Blue n’ Green Kits, designed to support plastic waste collection in beaches and forests. These kits were distributed throughout the school community, promoting environmental responsibility and recycling practices.
Following the workshop, students and teachers participated in a beach clean-up at Drepano Beach. Covering an area of approximately 1.4 kilometres, the volunteers collected around 63 kilograms of plastic waste, including plastic bottles, packaging materials, bottle caps, straws and other single-use plastics that could otherwise have entered the marine environment and degraded into microplastics.
Blue n’ Green Kits Promote Environmental Awareness
A key element of the JOINABLE initiative is the Blue n’ Green Kit, a practical tool for environmental awareness and community engagement. Each kit contains an eco-friendly paper cover featuring environmental messages, a biodegradable bag and a biodegradable glove for waste collection activities.
Produced by students and volunteers, the kits support environmental education while encouraging local communities to take an active role in protecting natural ecosystems and reducing litter.
Coastal Clean-Up Activity in Velika, Agia
The second JOINABLE environmental action was held at Velika Beach in Agia on 8 May, in collaboration with JOIST Innovation Park and the Municipality of Agia. The activity involved 40 students from the 4th Junior High School of Larissa, who worked alongside teachers and volunteers to clean the coastline and learn about environmental sustainability.
Participants collected approximately 140 kilograms of waste, including plastic bottles, plastic bags, aluminium cans and other materials harmful to marine ecosystems. During the activity, students received information about the consequences of marine pollution, the importance of recycling and the role individuals can play in protecting the environment through responsible daily habits.
Building Environmental Responsibility Through Education
The JOINABLE activities demonstrated how environmental education and practical action can inspire young people to become environmental stewards. By participating directly in clean-up efforts and awareness activities, students gained first-hand experience of the impact that collective action can have on protecting beaches, rivers and natural habitats.
The collaboration between schools, local authorities, innovation organisations and community members highlighted the value of partnerships in addressing environmental challenges and creating sustainable solutions with long-term social impact.
JOINABLE Activities Continue in 2026
The JOINABLE project will continue its environmental protection efforts throughout June 2026 with new clean-up and scientific monitoring activities at the Pineios River and the Pineios Delta in Larissa. These actions will further contribute to the monitoring, prevention and reduction of plastic pollution in environmentally significant areas while promoting active citizen participation in environmental conservation.
Learn More About JOINABLE
For more information about the JOINABLE project and its environmental activities, visit the related project updates:
Those interested in participating in future JOINABLE activities can contact Dr Andreas Almpanis for further information.
