Community cooperation for rivers and coasts (CoCoRiCo)

Community cooperation for rivers and coasts (CoCoRiCo)

The aim of the project is to create a citizen science community in Latvia and Estonia, which will bring together young people (students from Pärnu-Salacgrīva and Valga-Valka), teachers and educators, as well as scientists and NGO representatives. The focus of the project is aquatic ecosystem protection, reducing plastic pollution and preserving biodiversity. Pollution of rivers and sea coasts threatens not only aquatic animals and plants, but also affects people who use these areas for recreation. Joint activities will take place in the border river basins (Salaca, Pärnu, Pedele) and on the coast of the Gulf of Riga, including educational activities on environmental protection and citizen science.

In order to address the challenges of environmental protection, it is necessary to change not only national policies, but also the habits of society and individuals. Schools play a particularly important role in this process. Within the framework of the project, we will strengthen cooperation between schools, NGOs and scientists from the project member states.

Participation of Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology in the project is based on knowledge of microplastic pollution, its sources and engaging citizen science methods to survey macro- and microplastic pollution in coastal areas and rivers.

Projekta partneri

• BEF Latvia – lead partner
• Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology
• Tartu nature house