Spetses is the first island of the Blue Municipality Network to have a tailor-made comprehensive program specifically designed for its marine environment.
Supported by MAC Cosmetics Hellas and implemented by AR, this program is being implemented in collaboration with local authorities and the local community and aims to serve as a model for other islands facing similar challenges of high impact tourism and serious marine pollution.
The program, through a multifaceted approach which includes 9 key actions designed to address the island’s environmental needs, will be implemented within the next one and a half years.
Preparatory efforts include engaging with the local community and authorities to determine the island’s needs and challenges, ensuring that specific initiatives are implemented effectively and addressing local concerns.
The initial phase of the program is dedicated to effective waste management and reduction strategies. This includes setting up a Marine Waste Collection Station on the island, introducing three-stream recycling bins for better waste segregation and launching an awareness raising campaign to promote the use of tap water, encouraging sustainable practices among residents and visitors alike.
Subsequent actions involve pollution cleanup in coastal and marine areas, as well as research activities to adequately and substantively assess the pollution problem on the island and determine necessary future required initiatives.
The final phase of the program encompasses comprehensive awareness and sensitization initiatives for both the local community and island visitors. This phase also involves conducting educational workshops in schools, aiming to foster environmental stewardship and sustainable practices among students and the broader population.
Through the program, diverse actions are expected to develop, aiming to achieve tangible results in various fields directly related to the mitigation and reduction of marine pollution. In this direction, the Spetses program is anticipated to offer significant guidelines at both regional and national levels serving as a pilot model for other islands seeking to adopt a similar approach.
