WHO CAN JOIN THE MARIS NETWORK?

• Who? Upper Secondary schools across Europe (age 15+) 

• Focus: Co-creation of knowledge through hands-on sampling, coupled with analysis using validated methods and structured data reporting.  

• Teacher role: Science teachers commit to monitoring their nearby environment as part of class projects.

• Commitment: Integrate sampling & data activities into class at least once per year.

• Support provided: Teachers receive dedicated training and certification, delivered in collaboration with the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) and UNESCO-IOC’s OceanTeacher Global Academy (OTGA). This attests to their competence in monitoring microplastics in waterways according to strict QA/QC protocols. 

• Current focus (2025–2027): We are working with a limited number of Pilot groups, including:

  •  Schools in the Comunidad Valenciana (supported by the University of Alicante) and Flanders (supported by VMM- the Flanders Environment Agency),

  • Members of the European Schools network, 

  • Upper Secondary schools that commit to participate in the training through an Erasmus+ project. 

Scientific institutions that provide oversight, validation, and mentorship 

• Who? Publicly funded research institutes, university departments, private R&D labs, and environmental consultancies.  

• Commitment: Follow MARIS QA/QC protocols and support the network’s scientific rigor.

• Optional added role: Some labs also join our TrainMARIS programme, co-developed with the European Commission’s JRC and UNESCO-IOC’s OTGA, to train teachers and certify their competences.

• Benefits for labs: 

  • Direct access to high-quality data from their own region, collected by local schools and partners.

  • Full access to the MARIS database, enabling comparisons across European regions.

  • Increased visibility and impact through collaboration with schools and public engagement.

Field and logistical support for monitoring activities.

• Who? NGOs, nautical schools, field stations, tourism companies with vessels, and environmental education centres.  

• Commitment:  Facilitate access to water bodies and enable systematic sampling at least once/year.

• What you get:

  • Practical training to your staff and volunteers (sampling, safety, QA/QC, data upload).

  • Access to MARIS regional data and cross-region dashboards for analysis and reporting.

  • Opportunities to host teacher training (TrainMARIS), school projects and funded collaborations.

• Benefits: Improved operational efficiency, stronger grant/partnership credentials, new education and commercial opportunities, and evidence to support local management decisions.

Public entities ensuring data is policy-relevant and supporting education.

• Who? National or regional environmental agencies, water directorates, technical monitoring bodies. 

• Commitment:  Maintain internal monitoring capacity and apply MARIS QA/QC protocols.

• Optional added role: 

  • Join the TrainMARIS programme, co-developed with JRC and OTGA, to train teachers and certify their competences, 

  • Guide schools on local hotspots or priority monitoring sites.

• Benefits: Contribute to high-quality data collection, access the MARIS database for their region and eventually EU-wide, support evidence-based water policy, and build closer links with schools, MARIS Labs, and other stakeholders.

• Example pilot partner:  The Flanders Environment Agency is currently supporting schools and providing regional monitoring guidance.