GREENLand – Twinning Microplastic-free Environment, a Horizon Europe project (Jan 2023 – Dec 2025, ID: 101079267) is an innovative strategy for transforming to a digital Cloud-Based System with the education of staff for research of microplastics in soil, water, and microorganisms, as well as networking with the excellent institutions and stakeholders who are interested in the results of scientific research.
The essence of GREENLand is to change the system in which a great contribution will be made to the planet without plastic by working on preventive measures, innovations, and a plan for remediation. Trained professional staff will be able to be more efficient with the help of new digital tools, which will result in the establishment of strong cooperation with institutions and industry.
GREENLand will benefit EU citizens and beyond because the baseline of the project is the creation of a microplastics-free environment and food for the future with the objective to reach zero-microplastics pollution and zero-hungry goals in an eco-friendly environment.
MiCoS, an ERC-funded research proposal (May 2023 – April 2028) studies the effects of micro- and nanoplastics on soil and plant health. THe project moves from risk assessment, to risk analysis and eventually risk reduction. A cost efficient, relatively fast extraction and visualization procedure for microplastics out of soil has been developed. This method is currently used to measure the microplastic concentration in 240 agricultural fields in Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxemburg. Furthermore, pot trials will be designed to study the effect on plant (biomass, disease resistance) and soil (differences in microbial community and diversity) health by microplastics. Eventually we aim to reduce current pollution levels by actively screening for plastic degrading organisms.
SPECTRA – Twinning Coordination for Enhanced Scientific Capacity in Water Quality, Food Safety, Traceability, and Authenticity is a Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action (October 2024 – September 2027, Grant Agreement No. 101158453) funded under the Widening Participation programme.
The project aims to strengthen the research and innovation capacity, international visibility, and scientific excellence of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) in the interconnected fields of water quality and food safety, quality, traceability, and authenticity: areas of growing importance under climate and environmental change.
SPECTRA adopts a twinning approach that combines targeted research activities with hands-on training, staff exchanges, mobility schemes, workshops, and courses. Through collaboration with leading European partners from Italy, Slovenia, Spain, and Ireland, the project reinforces analytical, digital, and organisational capabilities while fostering stronger links between academia, industry, and policy stakeholders.
Scientifically, SPECTRA advances the use of state-of-the-art analytical techniques, such as mass spectrometry, spectroscopy, chromatography, and intelligent data systems, to improve monitoring and assessment of water and food quality. These capacities complement initiatives such as InPlasTwin by supporting high-quality data generation, interpretation, and evidence-based decision-making related to environmental pollutants, including microplastics.
Overall, SPECTRA contributes to improved water and food safety governance, increased consumer confidence, and stronger integration of widening institutions into the European Research Area.
Website: spectra-project.eu/
Youtube: youtube.com/@project_spectra/videos
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/spectraprojecteu