A year ago, our organization visited Spetses to discuss with the local community and local authorities the implementation of a strategic action plan for the marine environment, to be carried out with the support of MAC Cosmetics. This plan was developed by our organization for the Blue Municipalities Network and has been approved by the municipal councils of many member municipalities.
One year later, the implementation of the 9-pillar plan has become a reality in Spetses, making it the first island where all the pillars of the program have been implemented. Activities included ports and reefs clean ups, educational workshops in the island’s schools, research activities, provision of water filters to businesses and hotels to reduce single use plastics, installation of awareness-raising signs, provision of recycling bins and the establishment of a Marine Litter Collection Station. Importantly, all these initiatives were carried out following consultation with the local community.
The Municipality of Spetses is the first member of the Blue Municipalities Network—and the first in Greece—to implement a holistic plan for the marine environment, proving that this program is realistic, applicable and meaningful. A program that can serve as a model for other coastal and island regions. For this reason, we can only extend our heartfelt thanks to our partners for the excellent collaboration and for giving us the opportunity to showcase the hopeful practices that can emerge when local governments, civil society, and the private sector work together in a meaningful way.
