Category: Events

On Saturday, October 19th, the first phase of the two-day ecological action was completed ‘The sea merges – #EUBeachCleanup Rijeka 2024", with which Rijeka joined a global initiative dedicated to the conservation of marine ecosystems through the clean-up of seabeds and beaches.

The action gathered a large number of volunteers, divers and local institutions on Grčevo beach with the aim of cleaning the seabed and raising awareness of the importance of preserving the sea and the environment.

The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the City of Rijeka, including Head of the Health, Social Protection and Quality of Life Directorate Karla Mušković, and Perica Prpić from the Association of Special Police of the Homeland War "Ajkula", a key partner in the coordination of divers and the organisation of underwater cleaning. EUROPE DIRECT Rijeka and our agency was represented by the director of Nenad Antolović.

In the cleaning of the seabed participated about 65 divers from Croatia, Slovenia and Austria, with the support of more than 50 volunteers and members of volunteer fire brigades. It was extracted from the underwater world. more than 5 cubic meters of coarse waste, including plastic items, old truck tires, metal constructions, shopping trolleys and even rusty garbage bins. These scenes emphasize the seriousness of pollution of the marine environment and the need for continuous efforts in the conservation of the sea and the coast.

The Association of the Special Police of the Homeland War ‘Ajkula’ played a key role in organising and coordinating the cleaning of the seabed during the action ‘Sea connects: #EUBeachCleanup Rijeka 2024’. Their experience, professionalism and dedication have ensured the safe and effective implementation of this demanding environmental action. As long-time organizers of such initiatives, the members of the Association not only led and coordinated divers, but also actively participated in every step of the action. The underwater action also involved divers and diving clubs from Zagreb, Crikvenica, Kraljevica, Bakar, Duga Resa, as well as representatives of the Rijeka Special and Intervention Police Unit, the Lučko Anti-Terrorism Unit and the ‘Alfa’ Special Police Unit. The action was carried out in cooperation with the City of Rijeka, KD Čistoća and with the support of the European Commission Representation in Croatia, and it was also supported by the Viktor Lenac shipyard, Adriatic Maritime Service, Eco Kvarner, Pajol bar, HKD volunteers in Sušak and the Coast of our grandchildren association.

The aim of the campaign #EU Beach Cleanup is to raise awareness of the importance of preserving the seas and oceans and to point out the impact of everyday human habits on the marine ecosystem, as well as to raise awareness of how our habits affect our seas and oceans. It is estimated that up to 37 million tonnes of plastic waste will enter the ocean annually by 2040, putting marine life at great risk. 

Last year, 555 events were organized in 44 countries in which 45,733 volunteers participated, and judging by the turnout, Rijeka's EU Beach Cleanup will be the most comprehensive in Croatia.

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Author of photographs: Tanja Kanazir

As part of the project implementation Fusilli, on Friday 11 October, we held an event Fusilli Food Talk It brought together experts and participants from different sectors to discuss challenges and solutions in the transition towards more sustainable food systems.

Suzana Belošević Romac, Senior Adviser for European Projects of the Administrative Department of the City of Rijeka for the activities of the Mayor, the City Council and local self-government, opened the event, underlining the importance of the Rijeka Living Lab within the project, one of 12 laboratories across Europe, including cities such as Oslo, Rome, Turin and Athens. The planned association of the city of Rijeka was particularly emphasized. Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (MUFPP), a global initiative joined by more than 200 cities, with the aim of developing sustainable and inclusive food systems.

The audience could learn more about this initiative from a special guest. Andrea Patrucco from the city of Milan participated in the event online and presented the activities, results and principles of the work of the Milan Pact, while Sarah Czerny from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Rijeka presented the results of the research on the eating habits of citizens of Rijeka and the issues of food waste.

An innovative application was also presented at the event Food Waste Analyzer, developed by the City of Rijeka as part of the activities of the Fusilli project. This digital platform offers concrete advice and tools to caterers and citizens for better waste management. The application provides concrete tools and tips for more efficient waste management in the hospitality industry, as well as in everyday households.

Marko Radeljak Green Technologies presented several innovative waste management solutions, including industrial composters intended for the hospitality sector, which enable efficient treatment of bio-waste. He also presented small home composter, which is designed to enable households to reduce the amount of waste and thus the costs of municipal disposal. These composters give users the opportunity to convert bio-waste into an organic fertiliser, further reducing the negative impact on the environment.

A special interest was also raised by Zoran's lecture Delić, consultant, on the subject Zero Waste Hospitality. Delić stressed that the zero waste approach in gastronomy is based on reducing waste from the very planning of meals, the supply of groceries, to their maximum utilization. He stressed the importance of reducing the size of portions, the use of seasonal and local products, and transparency regarding food procurement and preparation. Delic also presented zero waste hierarchy, which includes the redesign of business models, the reduction of the environmental footprint and the re-use of materials

Panel discussion gathered experts like Greta Krešić the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Hrvoja Margana, President of the Guild of Caterers and Tourism Workers of the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts, and Zoran Delić, the consultant. Participants discussed the role of education, industrial innovation and practical solutions to reduce food waste, with a particular focus on opportunities in hospitality and the local community.

The conclusions are aimed at further improving sustainable practices in Rijeka, with a special focus on technological solutions and education to ensure the lasting impact of the FUSILLI project at the local level.

As part of the project implementation Fusilli, and in cooperation with the City of Rijeka as a project partner, this Friday, 11 October the Torpedo Production Park in 2024 (Milutina Barača 60, Rijeka) we are organizing an event with the beginning at 2 p.m. where you have the opportunity to find out what Rijeka is doing to meet the challenge of reducing food waste.

Every year, 1.3 billion tonnes of food are wasted in the world, 57 million tonnes in the European Union. Croatian citizens throw away 129,616 tons of edible food while 86,726 tons of inedible food are thrown away. Croatia has set a target to reduce food waste by 30 by 2028 %.

Join us and find out how, with limited resources, rising prices and too much waste to handle, it is increasingly difficult to change habits and not throw away food, but to deal with it differently.

In addition to presenting the results of an interesting research spent among our fellow citizens, a cookbook will be presented at the event Sustainable Tastes and Sustainable Budst, application Food Waste Analyzer and Food Waste Reduction Guide.

The event is free for all participants but the number of seats is limited so registration is mandatory! You can complete the application via online forms!

Event programme

The Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds is organizing a conference ‘Union programmes 2021 20-2027 – Funding opportunities and synergies with Cohesion Policy programmes", which will take place in Wednesday, 16 October 2024 in Hotel Westin, Izidora Kršnjavoga Street 1, Zagreb from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The conference will be presented Union programmes available in the new multiannual financial period 2021-2030 20-2027, showing examples of good practice.

Participants will have the opportunity to listen to a panel discussion to explore opportunities Synergies between the Union Programme and the Cohesion Policy Programme.

Participants will also have the opportunity to Direct contact with representatives of competent authorities through organized B2B meetings.

Applications to participate receive here.

The number of participants for live monitoring will be limited, but for those who are unable to participate in the conference program live streaming will be organized through the YouTube channel of the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds.
The link to the transmission will be published on the website of the Ministry https://razvoj.gov.hr/ i https://eufondovi.gov.hr/ before the conference itself.

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For all additional inquiries, please contact us via e-mail address: programi.unije@mrrfeu.hr.