Strategic initiative to improve research performance and strengthen cooperation in microplastic pollution field

About this project

<p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 12pt"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif"><span style="font-size: 10pt">The aim of the project is to start a strategic initiative among Iceland, Latvia, Estonia and Finland in order to improve research performance and strengthen collaboration in an emerging field – microplastic pollution. The main outcome of the project will be the involvement of participating countries researchers in order to create a high quality, scientifically sound and competitive project application for future fund acquisition to study microplastic pollution.&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt"><span style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif">Planned results are to bring together experienced researchers from Latvia, Estonia, Iceland and expert from Finland to prepare together at least one project proposal, ready for submission.</span></span></p>

Bilateral cooperation results

The concept, implementation activities and outcomes of the project are in sync with the programmes’ objectives and expected results. The project contributes to the reduction of social and economic disparities and supports the programmes’ goal of strengthening bilateral cooperation among beneficiary (Latvia and Estonia) and donor (Iceland) countries by fostering the exchange of knowledge and resources, ultimately improving the quality of microplastics research. Each of the involved partners has a background in studying different aspects of environmental pollution and can bring forth specific knowledge or access to infrastructure. Some of the project partners/expert have previously worked together in common projects and research article development (i.e. LIAE, UTU and TalTech), there has also been an experience exchange visit carried out (UTU-UI, UTU-LIAE, LIAE-UI and TalTech-LIAE). However, to widen and strengthen collaboration and to accelerate excellence through common research, there is the need to further evolve international bonds between involved institutions. In the framework of this project a co-created project application has been prepared to enhance research-based knowledge, contribute to programmes’ objectives by focusing on advancing microplastic research, and promote collaboration at an international scale. Most partners have had previous experience in work with microplastics pollution, however, each of them has specialized in different aspects of it. The project brought partners together and allowed to share know-hows among the team members: LIAE demonstrated the method used for collecting lake surface water microplastic samples, while the expert from UTU and UI trained partners in the use of the sediment trap method application in microplastic research.

Project partners

• The Marine and Freshwater Research Institute Donor project partner· Iceland
• University of Iceland Donor project partner· Iceland