Project title: Reducing Impact of Plastic Pollution through Learning & Engagement
Acronym: RIPPLE
Programme: Horizon Europe, Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters”
Lead partner: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Architecture
Project partners: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Architecture (UZAF), CoLab House, COMMONSPACE – Workers’ Cooperative for Architecture, Urban Design, Spatial Strategies and Participatory Planning (COMMONSPACE), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), KYVELI – Local Government Development Organisation (KYVELI), Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS), DECODE IKE (Decode), TransfoLAB BCN, TECHNAI Technology, Culture and Society (TECHNAI), FabLab – Association for the Promotion of Digital Fabrication (FLZG), Lichen Social Innovation Association (Lichen), Regional Development Agency DUNEA (DUNEA), Institute for Entrepreneurship Education and Innovation (IEEI), Dubrovnik-Neretva County Association of Technical Culture (ZTKDU), TEAMLABS SL (TEAMLABS), University of Dubrovnik (UNIDU)
Associated partners: Adriatic Sea Watershed Agency Mostar, “Džemal Bijedić” University of Mostar
Project duration: 01/09/2026 – 31/08/2030
Total budget: 5.547.215,36 EUR
DUNEA budget: 337.470,00 EUR
Project description: River plastic pollution is one of the fastest-growing threats to marine ecosystems, with most plastic found in the seas originating from upstream sources. RIPPLE addresses this challenge at its source by preventing plastic from entering rivers and, ultimately, the sea. By combining design thinking, maker innovation, citizen science and open participatory tools, RIPPLE introduces an innovative, community-driven approach that goes beyond waste clean-up alone. The project raises awareness, educates and empowers citizens and local stakeholders to change their behaviour, while at the same time transforming collected plastic into a valuable resource through affordable and accessible maker technologies.
RIPPLE develops a multi-layered framework in which prevention, education and reuse create small but powerful changes – ripples – that spread and generate systemic impact. Through accessible design interventions, participatory monitoring and the creative reuse of plastic, the project engages local communities, schools and citizens as co-creators of solutions. This integrated approach helps ensure that less plastic reaches rivers in the first place, while the plastic that does enter them is transformed into an opportunity for learning, creativity and innovation.
Website: https://www.ripple-project.eu/