Kick-off of the “ASAP – ADRIATIC SENSITIVE AREAS PROTECTION MECHANISM” Project: A New Transnational Initiative for the Protection of the Adriatic Sea
Building on the valuable outcomes of the NAMIRS project, a new initiative funded by the Interreg IPA Adrion Programme was officially launched on September 24th at the premises of the Central European Initiative (CEI). The “Adriatic Sensitive Areas Protection Mechanism (ASAP)” unites 9 partners and 7 associated partners from 6 Adriatic countries—Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, and Slovenia—with a shared goal: enhancing the protection of the Adriatic Sea from accidental pollution caused by maritime incidents.
Led by the CEI-Executive Secretariat, this project draws on the expertise developed through the NAMIRS project, which focused on the Northern Adriatic, and extends that knowledge to include countries in the southern Adriatic. By fostering collaboration across the region, the ASAP project seeks to establish a strong and coordinated approach to managing marine pollution risks and safeguarding this vital shared resource.
A key component of the project will be the organization of two large-scale exercises at sea—one in the Northern and one in the Southern Adriatic. These exercises will provide valuable opportunities for all stakeholders to collaborate, test equipment, and implement common standard operating procedures (SOPs) in response to potential marine pollution incidents. The exchange of experiences during these exercises is seen as critical for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of real-life responses, helping to ensure that teams across the region are prepared to act quickly and in unison should an incident occur.
During the first project meeting, partners held constructive discussions on upcoming activities, focusing on the importance of consolidating existing knowledge and building a more permanent framework for cooperation. There was consensus that continuous data exchange, regular updates to procedures, shared training, and coordinated exercises will be essential even after the project concludes. In this regard, the project includes a plan for the adoption of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which will formalize future collaboration and ensure the sustainability of these efforts.
This significant initiative, co-financed by the Interreg IPA ADRION Programme with a total budget of €1,413,387, will run until February 2027, providing a solid foundation for the long-term protection of the Adriatic Sea.
By promoting closer regional cooperation and shared responsibility, the ASAP project, which implements the ASOSCoP Flagship project of EU Strategy for Adriatic Ionian region, represents an important step toward preserving the ecological integrity of the Adriatic for future generations. Mr. Iztok Škerlič represented the FP EUSAIR project and the co-coordinators of EUSAIR TSG 3 Quality of Environment Pillar, at the meeting. Explaining the role of EUSAIR support in the creation of NAMIRS and also ASAP project. Municipality of Izola is an Associate partner of the project.
For more information, please contact:
Anna Marconato – Project Manager
Central European Initiative - Executive Secretariat
Email: marconato@cei.int
Phone: +39 040 7786 748
Website: www.cei.int
About the Interreg IPA ADRION Programme:
The Interreg IPA ADRION Programme supports regional cooperation and development in the Adriatic-Ionian region. It promotes economic, environmental, and social growth by enhancing partnerships across borders.
