UPSTREAM is a Horizon Europe Innovation Action project that aims to improve the cleanliness and water quality of European rivers that flow through several major European capitals and into five sea basins.

The project is based on the widespread deployment and demonstration of a suite of 15 advanced solutions that address the serious issues of pollution from litter, plastics, and microplastics in 7 European rivers along 5 pillars – monitoring, prevention, elimination at wastewater treatment plants, elimination from rivers, and valorisation of collected plastics. Investigations of the effectiveness and replicability of the solutions within the varying ecosystems of 5 different demonstration sites will allow for engagement with regions beyond the partnership to quickly scale up the solutions, contribute to the Mission objectives, and expand the water system knowledge base throughout Europe.