Santorini Blue Loop Living Lab Successfully Launched with a Three-day Programme of Action and Collaboration

• May 18, 2026

From 14 to 16 May 2026, the Santorini Blue Loop Living Lab, developed within the PHAROS project framework, successfully launched in Santorini through a three-day programme of educational activities, stakeholder dialogue, beach clean-up action and underwater clean-up operations.

The programme activated the island as a living space for collaboration, experimentation and real-world implementation, bringing together local stakeholders, schools, citizens, professionals, fishers, public authorities and European initiatives around a shared goal: to co-develop practical solutions for marine pollution, sustainable tourism, water management and circular economy practices.

This milestone marked the official start of a longer-term Living Lab process in Santorini, creating the foundations for local collaboration and future pilot actions on the island.

A programme combining education, action and participation

The three-day agenda unfolded mainly around the Vlychada Fishing Shelter, combining awareness-raising, hands-on learning and environmental action.

On Thursday 14 and Friday 15 May, the programme focused on educational and experiential activities for schools, children and adults. Around 40 people, including students and adult participants, took part in the Plastic Lab and the wider educational activities on marine protection and ocean literacy.

The activities included hands-on workshops on marine protection and ocean literacy; Plastic Lab sessions on plastic sorting, upcycling and creative reuse; interactive activities through the Technology Van; activities linked to Marine Litter Collection Stations; awareness sessions on Posidonia seagrass ecosystems; and creative trash art and material reuse workshops.

The Plastic Lab was one of the central elements of the programme. Through practical demonstrations and participatory activities, children and adults explored how discarded plastic can be collected, sorted, processed and transformed into new useful or symbolic objects. The sessions helped participants better understand the environmental impact of plastic pollution, while also introducing circular economy principles, reuse practices and prevention-oriented thinking.

These activities were co-organised by Impact Hub Athens, Aegean Rebreath, the Municipality of Thira, the Thira Municipal Port Fund, SYN FAB LAB and the Blue Municipalities Network, supporting the Living Lab’s educational and community engagement dimension.

Official kick-off: Friday 15 May

The official launch of the Santorini Blue Loop Living Lab took place on Friday 15 May, bringing together approximately 30 participants from Santorini, including local authorities, community representatives, professionals, civil society actors, educators and active citizens.

The kick-off meeting introduced the vision and structure of the Santorini Blue Loop Living Lab, the partnerships and European initiatives supporting the process, the key thematic areas of marine protection, blue economy, water management and sustainable tourism, and the first opportunities for local collaboration and co-design.

The meeting created an important first space for dialogue among local stakeholders and helped establish a common understanding of the Living Lab’s purpose. Participants discussed local challenges, shared perspectives and contributed to the first round of exchanges that will inform future actions and collaborations on the island.

Rather than functioning only as a formal launch event, the kick-off acted as the starting point for a longer-term collaboration process, moving the Living Lab from planning into implementation.

From awareness to action: beach clean-up and community engagement

On Saturday 16 May, the programme opened further to the local community through a beach clean-up action organised in collaboration with the young sailors of the Santorini Nautical Club. Around 20 children participated in the activity, connecting environmental awareness with hands-on coastal protection.

The clean-up offered children the opportunity to engage directly with the issue of marine litter, understand the importance of protecting coastal ecosystems and take part in a collective action for their island. The collaboration with the Santorini Nautical Club strengthened the connection between marine education, youth participation and local stewardship.

On the same day, underwater clean-up operations took place at the Vlychada Fishing Shelter, carried out by divers in collaboration with Aegean Rebreath, the Thira Municipal Port Fund and local fishers.

These actions highlighted the importance of addressing marine litter both above and below the surface. They also demonstrated how collaboration between environmental organisations, local authorities, fishers and port actors can support more effective monitoring, collection and prevention of marine pollution.

A successful starting point for long-term impact

The three-day launch programme was not designed as a standalone event. It represented the operational start of the Santorini Blue Loop Living Lab and demonstrated how education, environmental action, stakeholder engagement and innovation can be combined in a real local context.

Through the participation of approximately 40 people in the educational and Plastic Lab activities, 30 local stakeholders in the official kick-off meeting, and 20 children in the beach clean-up with the Santorini Nautical Club, the launch successfully mobilised different parts of the island community.

By connecting schools, citizens, local authorities, fishers, professionals and European project partners, the Santorini Blue Loop Living Lab established a strong foundation for a long-term transition process. The launch positioned Santorini as a living environment for testing circular, resilient and community-driven solutions, with the potential to become a model for island-based collaboration around marine protection, sustainability and local innovation.