Open Call 1 Winners

We are pleased to announce the three winning organisations of Open Call 1 of the UPSTREAM program, which aims to provide targeted financial support and technical assistance to associated regions to replicate, scale and localise UPSTREAM solutions for monitoring, prevention, removal and valorisation of plastic litter and microplastics in rivers and connected waters.

1. ERGENE MUNICIPALITY

Region: Turkey, West Marmara, Tekirdağ Sub-region

Project: RIVERGUARD-AI – Smart Detection and Interception of River Plastics in the Ergene Basin

Acronym: RIVERGUARD-AI

Duration: 6 months

Project Summary:

RIVERGUARD-AI is a six-month pilot led by EM and Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University (TNKU) to detect, intercept, and valorise plastics in the Ergene River before they reach the Marmara Sea.

The project establishes an AI-assisted Smart River Monitoring System with five to six sensor stations measuring pH, turbidity, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen, complemented by AI cameras analysing surface pollution and colour changes, and drone surveys mapping bank litter and discharge points.

All data will feed into a River Pollution Dashboard providing real-time analysis, anomaly alerts, and decision support for municipal management.

By coupling smart monitoring with floating interception barriers and local recycling partnerships, RIVERGUARD-AI will deliver a scalable, low-cost model for reducing river-borne plastics, improving water quality, and strengthening circular economy practices across the Thrace and Marmara regions.

2. ISPARTA SPECIAL

Region: Turkey, Mediterranean Region, Antalya Sub-region

Project: Protecting Egirdir Lake Through Smart Collection of Agricultural Pesticide Packaging Waste

Acronym: ELSA (Egirdir Lake Smart Agro)

Duration: 6 months

Project Summary:

This project aims to establish a smart and traceable system for the separate collection of agricultural pesticide packaging waste at its source within the Lake Egirdir basin.

Within the scope of the project, smart waste collection containers equipped with digital infrastructure will be installed in six villages. The system will include an automated weighing mechanism, user identification (farmer card or mobile application), data transmission, and security components. All collected waste will-be digitally recorded and made traceable through a centralized monitoring system.

To ensure active farmer participation, a point-based incentive model will be implemented. This mechanism will encourage the proper separation and regular delivery of pesticide packaging waste instead of disposal with municipal waste.

Collected materials will be transferred to licensed disposal or recycling facilities and managed in compliance with national regulations. During the project period, six smart containers will be put into operation, approximately 200 farmers will be registered in the system, and approximately 1 ton of agricultural pesticide packaging waste will be separately collected.

The project introduces a practical and scalable pilot model aimed at preventing pollution at its source within the lake basin.

3. MACHAIRAS COMMUNITY COMPLEX

Region: Cyprus, Nicosia District

Project: RIVEROOT: Headwaters Plastic Retention Observatory & Smart Prevention Pilot

Acronym: RIVEROOT

Duration: 6 months

Project Summary:

As the hydrological “water tower” of Cyprus, the Machairas region serves as the vital birthplace of the island’s longest rivers, including the Pedieos. While these highlands feed the island’s major arteries, the RIVEROOT project focuses its efforts specifically on the Gialias and Alikos catchments, which intersect directly with the project’s member communities. Despite their ecological significance, these mountain headwaters have historically remained a critical “blind spot” in pollution monitoring, a gap that RIVEROOT addresses through the establishment of a structured Headwaters Plastic Retention Observatory within the Machairas Community Complex.

This initiative is a direct response to the IUCN 2020 Report, which identifies significant plastic leakage across Cyprus, largely driven by the tourism and recreational activities central to the Machairas region. By focusing on the “source-to-sea” pathway, RIVEROOT facilitates a strategic pivot in environmental policy: moving away from reactive coastal cleanups and toward proactive upstream monitoring and prevention at the very origin of the problem.

The project’s technical core is built on three integrated pillars:

  1. Operational Monitoring: The project begins with the geospatial mapping of plastic retention hotspots (bridge crossings, culverts and picnic areas). These sites will undergo structured monthly litter audits to categorize and quantify accumulated plastics, providing essential data on seasonal remobilization dynamics during rainfall events.
  2. Technological Innovation: To evaluate engineered capture efficiency, RIVEROOT will pilot a removable passive litter trap at a priority hotspot, comparing its performance against natural riverine retention zones (e.g., vegetative bends).
  3. Smart Prevention: At high-use access points, the project will deploy Smart Waste Capture Points featuring behavioral nudges and QR-enabled micro-engagement tools. These tools allow visitors to report litter sightings or take environmental pledges, turning passive recreation into active participation.

 

Citizen engagement will be centered on the Machairas Young River Guardians Programme, where students will participate in interactive workshops and guided field visits. Through these sessions, they will learn to identify environmental priorities and understand local conservation efforts, fostering a sense of long-term stewardship.

By consolidating all findings into an open-access dataset and a Practical Replication Guide, RIVEROOT positions Machairas as a scalable, low-risk demonstrator. The project provides a credible roadmap for European rural and mountain clusters to align with Mission Ocean objectives, ensuring that headwater protection becomes a foundational component of integrated plastic management strategies.