India and the European Union just kicked off an exciting “Ideathon” to tackle marine plastic litter, a major global headache that’s harming oceans and coastlines. They’re calling on startups, researchers, businesses, and other innovators from both India and the EU to team up and create smart, practical solutions for plastic pollution.
Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary at the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (OPSA) to the Indian government, called it a perfect example of India-EU teamwork. “This Ideathon shows our shared goal of building solutions that work worldwide but fit local needs in India and Europe,” she said. Maini also pointed to India’s strong push against plastic waste in recent years, including the Swachh Sagar and Surakshit Sagar campaigns, plus a countrywide ban on single-use plastics.
From the EU side, Signe Ratso, Deputy Director-General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission, highlighted how the EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Working Group 2 Ideathon boosts their partnership. “We’re uniting to fight marine plastic pollution, which threatens sea life, people’s health, and coastal jobs in our regions,” Ratso explained. She stressed the need for global sustainability efforts that everyone can get behind.
Dr. Rakesh Kaur from OPSA and Nienke Buisman, Head of the International Cooperation Unit at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, urged everyone to dive in and explore new ways to collaborate on marine plastic litter challenges.
At the launch event in New Delhi, organizers shared details on the Ideathon’s setup, including steps, rules, and deadlines. Experts also gave the lowdown on the current state of marine plastic pollution. Professor Hoysala N. Chanakya from the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore covered India’s side, while John Hanus from the European Commission discussed Europe’s efforts. They spotlighted key problems, ongoing research, and why coordinated action is crucial to turn the tide on this crisis.
If you’re a startup founder, researcher, or business leader passionate about ocean conservation and innovative solutions for plastic pollution, now’s your chance. Applications for the Ideathon stay open until October 2—head over and submit your ideas to help clean up our seas.
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