NEWS: Capacity Building Workshop for the Protection of Aquatic Ecosystems

As part of the Mission4Water project, Zero Waste Montenegro organized a full-day educational workshop and field training titled “Waste Audit and Pollution Analysis Workshop – Practical Application at the Vidrovan Spring and Gracanica River” on June 21st. The event took place at Vidrovan Spring and the Gracanica River, in collaboration with NGO Ecopatriotizam, and brought together participants from diverse backgrounds – including youth activists, environmental professionals, and local community representatives – with the aim of strengthening skills and collaboration in river protection.

The workshop was led by Mirza Džaferadžović, a qualified Community River Cleanup Coordinator, who earned this title by completing a seven-day training under the Interreg AQUATIC PLASTIC project (https://interreg-danube.eu/projects/aquatic-plastic/news/become-a-qualified-river-cleanup-coordinator). The field session at the Gracanica River was facilitated by Jelena Lacman from NGO Ecopatriotizam.

The day began with opening remarks and participant registration, followed by the first thematic block. Theoretical instruction in Module 1 focused on the #BreakFreeFromPlastic waste audit methodology, introducing participants to the global context of plastic pollution, its sources and impacts, and the importance of cleanup actions. Special attention was given to guidelines for organizing safe and efficient fieldwork, including waste categorization, stakeholder engagement, and data documentation.

Following the theoretical session, participants moved to Vidrovan Spring for the practical implementation of the waste audit methodology. Under expert guidance, they conducted pollution mapping, categorized and recorded collected waste, and learned proper handling techniques to prevent contamination and ensure accurate sampling for analysis.

After a lunch break and transfer to the Youth Centre Niksic, the workshop continued with Module 2, focusing on scientific approaches to river protection, based on methodologies developed in Hungary. Through discussion and presentations, participants explored how scientific tools and methods can be applied in the field and integrated into local environmental strategies.

The final session took place at the Gracanica River, where participants carried out a second field exercise. This part of the workshop, facilitated by Jelena Lacman, demonstrated the practical application of scientific monitoring tools and techniques. In addition, participants were introduced to activities within the BeMed project, aimed at reducing plastic pollution.

The workshop concluded with participant feedback, evaluation, and an open discussion about future opportunities for collaboration. The event highlighted the importance of combining theoretical knowledge, scientific methodology, and community-driven fieldwork as a foundation for effective protection of freshwater ecosystems.