Interreg Cooperation Day Clean-Up in Madeira
From September 21 to 29, 2024, the Regional Directorate for the Environment and Marine led the International Coastal Cleanup Week, a global initiative to promote coastal conservation.
This event aligns with International Coastal Cleanup Day and Interreg Cooperation Day 2024, aiming to highlight European efforts to break down physical and mental borders.
The clean-up is part of the Free LitterAT project, supported by Interreg Atlantic Area, which focuses on preventing and reducing litter in coastal communities. Volunteers will help raise awareness about micro-litter, such as lost fishing gear and plastic debris.
Led by Centro Tecnológico del Mar (CETMAR) in Galicia, Spain, Free LitterAT is a partnership of 14 organizations from France, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain, all working to combat marine litter through prevention, monitoring, and clean-up efforts.
The campaign kicked off on September 21 with a collaborative effort between DRAM and a team from GNR. Together, they organized a cleaning operation along the sea front between Vila do Porto da Cruz and Maiata Beach. This event was also part of the “Inter-regional Cooperation Day” celebrations, an annual observance supported by the “Interreg Europe” program.
Throughout the week, three additional cleanup activities took place, spearheaded by both public and private entities. VMT-Madeira, Greener_act, and the Primary and Secondary School Dr. Luís Maurílio da Silva Dantas all joined the movement, hosting initiatives in various coastal areas: Fajãs of Cabo Girão, Praia do Almirante Kings in Funchal, and the Vicar’s Beach in Câmara de Lobos. In total, 54 participants actively contributed to these efforts, demonstrating the community’s commitment to preserving the region’s natural beauty.
