EcoYOU project was launched to confront a growing environmental threat in the Black Sea Basin: microplastic pollution in transboundary water bodies.

By the project’s end, the partnership had established a coordinated network of citizens, educators, and authorities across Republic of Moldova, Romania, and Georgia, and transformed how microplastic pollution is monitored, reported, and managed.

Microplastic pollution in the Black Sea Basin is not just an environmental issue. It is a shared regional challenge. Waste generated in one country’s rivers and coastal areas inevitably affects neighbouring nations, making cross-border cooperation essential. However, microplastics were often overlooked in environmental management plans due to a lack of technical tools and organized reporting structures.

To address these challenges, EcoYOU implemented a multi-layered intervention strategy:

• Active Monitoring: The project conducted 109 environmental patrols using boats and kayaks, identifying previously unreachable or unrecorded pollution hotspots.
• Digital Infrastructure: BluE-Map platform were developed, enabling GPS-tagged reporting of waste. These tools transformed field observations into actionable data for public administrators.
• Knowledge Transfer: Awareness-raising seminars, clean-up events, ‘8 hours overtime for an environmentally positive impact’ initiatives, round tables, camps, and capacity-building sessions were conducted jointly. These educational initiatives empowered students, teachers, and officials to use the new tools effectively.
• ‘Green at the Microphone’ Podcast: A 10-episode series produced as a dynamic communication tool, featuring experts, youth, and local stakeholders discussing environmental protection, waste management, and regional collaboration. The podcast institutionalized knowledge transfer and public engagement, ensuring ongoing dialogue beyond the project.

EcoYOU has led to a measurable shift in how environmental protection is handled in the target regions:

• Public Authorities: 165 administrators were directly involved in project activities. BluE-Map platform is accessible to the public and authorities, enabling a shift from reactive cleaning to data-driven prevention.
• Youth and Educators: Over 1,300 participants moved from general awareness to active involvement. Students are now trained as "environmental ambassadors", capable of conducting basic field monitoring.
• Sectoral Change: Environmental protection has become more collaborative. The project created a platform where NGOs and local governments work together on waste management, rather than operating independently.

The sustainability of EcoYOU solutions is built into the project’s design:

• The BluE-Map remains a live resource for public and institutional use beyond the funding period.
• Equipment such as boats and kayaks remain with local NGOs to continue patrols.
• Educational materials have been handed over to schools for future use in curricula.
• The regional network of partners remains active, providing a foundation for future joint applications and initiatives such as podcasts.

While EcoYOU has achieved its goals, the field of microplastic protection continues to evolve. These challenges also present opportunities to expand the BluE-Map to include more data points and involve more municipalities across the Black Sea Basin, building on the model established by the project.