Students from 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade explored the fascinating world of autonomous robotics with the help of LARIAT team members Ivana, Vicko, and Ante.

Throughout the morning, they learned how robots work, tested their skills by operating a drone simulator, navigated an underwater robot on a mission to place a plastic bottle into a recycling bin, and discovered how drone thermal cameras function.

It was a day filled with curiosity, learning, and lots of fun!

Thank you for visiting us — we hope you had an amazing time and left inspired!

The award highlights how AI, autonomous robotics, and citizen engagement are being used to tackle marine litter—from detection and mapping to collection and prevention—turning innovation into real impact for our seas.

Dr. Stefan Sosnowski (TU München) accepted the award on behalf of the consortium, reflecting the strength of the partnership and a shared mission to protect our oceans.

The panel, organized by the Commission for Gender Equality of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, brought together women working in traditionally male-dominated professions who shared a common message: love your job and don’t be afraid.

Please join us in congratulating her on this remarkable achievement!

𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐢𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 – Led by 𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐚 𝐋𝐚𝐥𝐞, participants explored the basics of circuits, connected LEDs and fans, tested a balance sensor, and learned to use a multimeter.
𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐎 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩 – Led by the secretary of the Technical Culture Community, girls built, tested, and improved motorized machines using LEGO elements, discovering forces, motion, and interaction through play.
𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟭𝟭, 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

Produced by the European Commission, Horizon Magazine showcases high-impact projects funded under EU research programmes. The magazine presents breakthrough scientific achievements, innovative technologies, and research stories that contribute to addressing Europe’s most pressing societal and environmental challenges. Being featured in this publication represents an important recognition of a project’s relevance, excellence, and potential impact at European and international level.

The article, titled “Robot clean-up crews tackle litter on Europe’s seabed”, highlights how SeaClear2.0 is developing advanced autonomous robotic systems capable of detecting, identifying, and removing marine litter. By combining artificial intelligence, underwater robotics, and coordinated robotic fleets, the project aims to significantly improve the efficiency and safety of marine clean-up operations compared to traditional methods.

The feature also underlines the project’s contribution to the EU’s broader environmental objectives, particularly within the framework of Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters. Through innovative technological solutions, SeaClear2.0 supports the restoration of marine ecosystems and the reduction of underwater pollution.

This publication further strengthens the visibility of the project and demonstrates the importance of EU-funded research in advancing sustainable solutions for protecting Europe’s oceans.

You can read the full article on the official website of Horizon Magazine at the following link: https://projects.research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/en/horizon-magazine/robot-clean-crews-tackle-litter-europes-seabed

During the visit, the students learned more about our work, projects, and the opportunities for young people interested in science, technology, and research.

We would like to thank the students and their teacher for their visit and interest, and we look forward to future cooperation

The Consortium Meeting, held on 27 January at the UNIDU Main Campus, was dedicated to internal project coordination, monitoring of progress, and strategic planning of future activities. An overview of the ONE-BLUE project was presented by Prof. Marinella Farré, Project Coordinator from IDAEA-CSIC, who highlighted the project’s objectives, key results, and future priorities in addressing marine pollution and promoting sustainable coastal management.
The first day concluded with a constructive exchange of experiences and discussions on strengthening cooperation and ensuring the effective implementation of project activities.

On 28 January, the University of Dubrovnik hosted the Cross-Sectorial Open Technical Meeting of the ONE-BLUE Project, aimed at a wider professional and scientific audience and focused on cross-sectoral cooperation and knowledge transfer.
One of the highlights of the meeting was the roundtable discussion entitled “Shared Experiences, Results and New Challenges in the European Green Deal”, held with the participation of Prof. Marinella Farré, IDAEA-CSIC, Prof. Ana Bratoš Centinić, The Department of Applied Ecology UNIDU, Ms Dolores Grilec, Croatian Institute of Public Health, and moderator Mr Juan Viesca, Finnova. The discussion focused on current achievements, policy alignment, and future challenges in implementing European environmental strategies.

The meeting concluded with closing remarks and a summary of key outcomes, emphasizing the importance of continued cooperation and partnership.

The ONE-BLUE project is funded by the European Union under the HORIZON-Research and Innovation programme (Grant Agreement No. 101134929). The project runs from 1 January 2024 until 30 June 2027 and aims to contribute to the transition towards zero pollution in marine and coastal environments through innovative research, monitoring tools, and stakeholder engagement. UNIDU is one of the 18 project partners with prof.dr.sc. Ivana Palunko as principal investigator (PI) from UNIDU and scientists from LARIAT and Department of Applied Ecology collaborate with other partners to achieve the scientific goals set by the project.

By successfully organizing the Consortium Meeting and the Cross-Sectoral Open Technical Meeting as an active project partner, the University of Dubrovnik once again confirmed its strong engagement in international research and innovation initiatives. The meetings strengthened cooperation among partners, supported the exchange of scientific and professional knowledge, and contributed to the achievement of the ONE-BLUE project objectives.

During the visit, our associates delivered a presentation about LARIAT’s work and introduced the students to autonomous robots. The visit provided valuable insight into modern technologies and practical applications.

We thank the students and their professor for their interest and engagement, and we look forward to future cooperation!

The workshop took place on 5 December 2025 at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, University of Zagreb (UNIZG-FER). The DATACROSS project – Advanced Methods and Technologies in Data Science and Cooperative Systems, in collaboration with the Scientific Centre of Excellence for Data Science and Cooperative Systems (ACROSS) and the ACROSS research unit, organized this workshop.