The 25 of September is the official day designated to recognise the Mediterranean Coast, inspiring coastal communities to take action for the sustainable development of the Mediterranean region. Mediterranean Coast Day is an annual celebration and a reminder of our collective responsibility to create solutions, raise awareness, and promote lasting action for coastal resilience year-round. Coast Day is part of the UNEP/MAP Barcelona Convention system and is coordinated by PAP/RAC, the regional activity centre for coastal management.

This year, Coast Day shines a spotlight on the institutions that drive meaningful change across the Mediterranean. From designing policies and implementing protection measures to advancing research and spreading knowledge, these organizations play a vital role in building a sustainable coastal future.

As a regional activity Centre for the Barcelona Convention, MedWaves supports the transformation needed to address the global challenges facing the Mediterranean region. Over the last decade, the Centre has established a successful hub of expertise to serve all stakeholders, recognising that each actor is critical in the collective movement towards sustainability. Maintaining a focus on promoting and enhancing eco-innovative sustainable business models, MedWaves establishes an enabling environment for green, circular, zero-waste, low-carbon, and non-toxic economies to grow and flourish.

This year, MedWaves shines a light on three inspiring voices from our region—great examples of collaboration between institutions and the private sector—celebrating how they are creating positive change for our coastal communities.

Valérie Itey, Founder and CEO, CLIC RECYCLE (Spain)

My love for the Ocean and its protection comes from a lifelong connection to the sea. Growing up in Bordeaux and later living in Barcelona and Badalona, I’ve always surfed and felt deeply connected to the Mediterranean. Over the years, I witnessed pollution firsthand, trash in the water and along the coasts, which inspired me to take action through beach cleanups and educational initiatives on Ocean health. 

With over 25 years of experience in technology, international business development, and global trade, I wanted to use my experience to make a positive impact for the environment and future generations and in 2020, I founded CLIC RECYCLE to turn overlooked waste into circular products that protect water resources, reduce plastic pollution, and regenerate ecosystems. It’s a combination of personal experience, professional expertise, and a commitment to the sea that drives everything we do. 

At CLIC RECYCLE we believe protecting the Mediterranean coast and our Ocean is a responsibility we all share. No single organisation, company, or government can solve these challenges alone. That’s why collaboration is so essential: when scientists, local communities, policymakers, and innovators come together, we can combine knowledge, resources, and creativity to design solutions that actually work in the real world. 

Our dream is to see circular and nature-based innovation fully integrated into these strategies. Small, local solutions can grow into global impact, as I learned from my grandfather’s simple practice of using hair in vineyards to protect the soil, vines and water, a personal memory that inspired CLIC RECYCLE. By working together, we can develop and deploy smart, biodegradable solutions that not only restore ecosystems but also empower communities, raise awareness, and make marine protection something tangible that everyone can contribute to. 

Collaboration means listening, sharing, and acting together. It’s about building a network of people and organisations who care deeply about the sea, who are willing to experiment, learn from each other, and scale solutions responsibly. That’s how we ensure lasting impact, and that’s the dream I hope to see realized across the Mediterranean and beyond. 

Our work at CLIC RECYCLE is about turning overlooked waste into solutions that actively protect and restore coastal and marine ecosystems. For the Mediterranean, this means tackling pollution, preventing plastics from entering the sea, and supporting the resilience of both nature and local communities. 

CLIC SEA™, our modular Marine Decontamination Barriers naturally adsorb hydrocarbons and heavy metals from water, and the smart versions include sensors connected to an IoT platform that provide real-time water quality data. In other words, we’re not just cleaning the water—we’re giving communities and authorities the information they need to take preventive action and use products that replace mainstream plastic products, both reducing CO2 emissions and plastic and chemical pollution and depletion of natural resources. 

Another example is CLIC TERRA™ Biodegradable Mulch originally inspired by my grandfather’s sustainable practices. While this is used in cultivation, the principle is the same: taking natural materials and engineering circular solutions that regenerate ecosystems rather than deplete them. 

What makes our approach different is that it’s science-based, circular, and adaptable. Every material we create is biodegradable, every product is designed to reduce plastic use and restore ecosystems, and every technology—sensors, IoT, AI and blockchain—is integrated to ensure ongoing monitoring, transparency and long-term impact. 

Ultimately, our goal is to create solutions that are practical, scalable, and resilient. We want the Mediterranean coasts and oceans to thrive not just today, but for future generations. It’s about turning ideas into action and action into lasting change.

Copyright CLIC RECYCLE CLIC SEA Smart Decontamination Barrier: Fusing nature-based innovation with technology and science, this next-gen solution collects pollutants while empowering ports and users with embedded sensors, an IoT platform and mobile application for real-time monitoring of environmental impact

Copyright CLIC RECYCLE CLIC SEA Decontamination Barriers piloted in the Port of Barcelona. Sustainable by design, these nature-based barriers are made from locally sourced hair waste and hemp fibres – engineered into a product that naturally absorbs heavy metals and hydrocarbons. Reducing waste, emissions and chemical and plastic pollution, they are a regenerative alternative to mainstream plastic marine pollution products – closing the loop between urban waste and marine protection. Nature-based solutions replace mainstream plastic products for sustainable ports and are backed by science and technology.

Copyright CLIC RECYCLE Collaboration in action: Port of Barcelona personnel deploy CLIC SEA Decontamination Barriers, showing the power of partnerships in safeguarding marine ecosystems.

Abdelilah HAMMADA, Founder, ALGUNO (Morocco)

Growing up in Nador, in front of the Marchica lagoon, has been one of the most inspiring experiences of my life. Every morning, I would see the calm surface of the lagoon hiding incredible richness: fish, birds, and above all, abundant seaweed that silently supports marine biodiversity. This lagoon has always been more than just water; it is a symbol of how nature provides both beauty and resources when cared for properly.  

However, I also saw the other side of pollution: unemployment, and underutilized resources, especially among young people who depend on seasonal fishing.  

It became clear to me that protecting the Mediterranean coast was not only an environmental duty, but also an economic and social necessity. This realization led to the birth of ALGUNO, a project that seeks to valorize seaweed, create jobs, and show that environmental conservation and human prosperity can grow together. Marchica is our starting point, and our inspiration. 

My dream for the Mediterranean is one of cooperation and collective responsibility that bridges cultures, nations, and organizations. The sea does not belong to one country alone; it connects us all, and so does our responsibility to protect it. At ALGUNO, we believe that communities living along the coastlines, especially in the Mediterranean region, should be empowered and educated to understand the immense value of marine biodiversity.  

Through awareness campaigns and sensitisation, people can realize that the survival of fish, algae, and coral reefs is directly linked to their own livelihoods and health. But this cannot be achieved alone. We envision a strong collaboration with organisations like MedWaves to launch joint projects: organising dialogues, international events about the sea and blue economy, and even developing a specialised incubator to support startups focused on solving sea-related problems. By joining forces, we can turn collective responsibility into real action and build a Mediterranean that is resilient, sustainable, and prosperous for all. 

ALGUNO’s work is rooted in the principle that solutions to climate change and environmental degradation must also bring prosperity to people. Our approach takes a resource often overlooked seaweed and transforms it into a natural agricultural biostimulant that reduces chemical fertilizer use, restores soil health, and protects ecosystems from harmful runoff.  

By creating this circular system, we are tackling both food security and environmental sustainability. Importantly, our solution generates new blue jobs by engaging local fishermen and youth in seaweed cultivation and processing, turning fragile livelihoods into stable opportunities. 

What makes this model even stronger is its potential for replication: it can be expanded to other Mediterranean lagoons in Spain, France, or Tunisia, where ecosystems and communities face similar challenges. By sharing our expertise and methods, ALGUNO offers not just a local initiative, but a scalable and resilient solution that protects marine biodiversity, empowers people, and builds a sustainable blue economy across borders. 

From its inception, ALGUNO has stood as a symbol of how local resources can spark global solutions. Born on the shores of the Marchica lagoon in Nador, Morocco, the project has transformed the vision of valorizing seaweed into a concrete pathway for sustainability and prosperity. This innovative approach has not gone unnoticed: ALGUNO has been honored with prestigious international awards that highlight both its environmental and social impact. 

In 2023, ALGUNO was named Laureate of the SwitchMed Programme, supported by the European Union, UNEP, and SCP/RAC. This recognition validated our model of creating eco-friendly biostimulants while empowering local fishermen and farmers. Later, in 2024, ALGUNO proudly won the Prince Talal International Prize for Human Development (SDG 14 – Life Below Water), a global acknowledgment of our commitment to protecting marine ecosystems and improving coastal livelihoods. The prize not only provided financial support but also international visibility, positioning ALGUNO among the leading voices of the blue economy. 

These awards are more than trophies; they represent milestones that strengthen our mission. They remind us that our work resonates with a global movement striving for resilience, sustainability, and shared prosperity. As we continue expanding our algoculture operations and exploring international markets, this recognition inspires us to aim higher, scale our impact, and contribute to a healthier Mediterranean and beyond.

Camilla Morelli, Creator of Camoz-recycled sail design (Italy)

I’m often travelling by boat and sailing, so seeing how much the Mediterranean is affected by plastic pollution makes me aware of this problem. My idea is that everyone is responsible for their part, so everyone should take part in the process by talking, raising awareness, and taking actions that improve the quality of the environment around us. I’m just a small business, but I do my best in the recycling process: all the sails I collect are transformed into something new instead of ending up as scraps ready to be thrown away. 

More about MedCoastDay:

Press Release (EN) / Press Release (FR) 

Media Advisory (EN) / Media Advisory (FR)

*****************************

Want to receive our news and updates directly to your inbox? sign up for our Newsletter!