The Greek NGO ‘MEDITERRANEAN SOS Network” organises two major beach clean-ups in Athens, under the campaign “CLEAN THE MEDITERRANEAN 2013”.

The two events will take place on Sunday 19 May at the St. Cosma and St. Alexander beaches in Elliniko area (2nd Tram stop St. Cosma) at 10 a.m. and on Wednesday 22 May in P.Faliro beach (Tram stop Batis) at 9 a.m.

The clean-ups are supported from the Elliniko-Argiroupoli’s and P. Faliro’s Municipalities with the aim of raising public awareness on the issue of marine litter, of urging people to taking personal responsibility and adopting a more friendly behavior towards the environment. In line with the aim of the campaign, the organisers call the volunteers who want to participate into the clean-ups, to use the public transportation or their bicycles as mode of transportation.

It is important to mention that during the clean-ups, the collected litter is being classified as per its material and its primary use. Throughout the duration of the clean ups, the participants can participate in the awareness raising activities that will take place while children can participate in a number of environmental games designed for children.

During the clean-up on 19 May, a special event of an “underwater cleaning” will take place with the support of  “Ydronaftes”, a Greek NGO, while the clean-up on 22 May, which is being implemented under the European Maritime Day in collaboration with the Athens IV Primary and Second Primary Education Directorates and the participation of the European Programme PERSEUS (coordinated by the HCRM Hellenic Centre for Marine Research), will include a series of interactive actions while information on issues affecting the coastal and marine ecosystems will be provided by specialized scientists from the Mediterranean SOS Network and the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR).

On a final note, it is worth noting that the selection of these accessible beaches is symbolic and has a double aim: to urge the citizens to make personal commitment with the aim of preserving the beaches of their city and on to claim a free and accessible coastal and water front for all citizens.

The original article in Greek and more information on the event is available here. 

To participate to the event, please visit the Facebook event page.