Beyond Plastic Med (BeMed) launched its tenth annual call for micro-initiatives on October the 23rd, aiming to support local projects fighting plastic pollution across the Mediterranean…
The initiative offers up to €15,000 in funding for associations, scientific institutions, small businesses, and municipalities developing innovative solutions to reduce plastic waste at the source.
Speaking live to Monaco Info from the association, BeMed coordinator Claire Richard explained the urgency of tackling this escalating issue. Although awareness is improving, thanks in part to international efforts like the UN plastic treaty negotiations, the amount of plastic entering the Mediterranean continues to rise. The region, which only accounts for around 1% of the world’s ocean surface, is estimated to hold between five to ten percent of global plastic pollution, amounting to 200,000 tonnes annually.
There has been a significant shift in the type of projects submitted since the programme began in 2016. While early applications focused on cleanup efforts, newer proposals demonstrate a deeper understanding of long-term impact, targeting behavioural change, sustainable consumption, and circular economic models. One standout project from Lebanon implemented a local reward system for waste collection and recycling, contributing to a healthier environment and stronger community engagement.
BeMed prioritises source reduction rather than post-use solutions like recycling. By fostering partnerships across sectors and geographies, the initiative encourages collective regional action, empowering grassroots efforts that might otherwise lack resources.
Over the past decade, BeMed has financed more than 120 projects. This latest call continues to offer a vital platform for those working to protect the Mediterranean through practical, scalable environmental solutions.
