The IMERMAID consortium convened in Florence for its 6th General Assembly, marking a pivotal moment as the project moves into its final phase. Hosted by the Università degli Studi di Firenze at the historic and inspiring Villa Ruspoli, partners from across Europe gathered to review progress, strengthen collaboration, and align on the strategic steps leading to project completion.
The meeting opened on 25 November setting the tone for two days of intense knowledge exchange. The first morning focused on updates from the project’s five Mediterranean Use Cases, each showcasing advances in cutting-edge sensing and remediation technologies designed to reduce marine pollution and safeguard coastal ecosystems. These sessions highlighted both scientific achievements and the tangible impact emerging across pilot sites.
A special acknowledgement goes to Serena Laschi and Ilaria Palchetti for their impeccable organisation and hospitality, creating an environment that fostered productive discussions and meaningful collaboration.
On the second day, partners reconvened with high energy following an enjoyable city tour and consortium dinner in Florence. The morning was dedicated to Clustering, Communication, and Exploitation strategies, where partners co-designed the roadmap for ensuring IMERMAID’s results are widely disseminated and effectively adopted by key stakeholders. Discussions also emphasised the growing role of the Marine Shield Cluster, which brings together EU-funded projects working toward a pollution-free Mediterranean.
Although the General Assembly concluded, the week continued with the IMERMAID Schooling Programme, delivered in collaboration with H2O People and the European Junior Water Programme. Partners participated in training sessions on communication, cooperation, and personal development—essential skills for navigating European research and innovation landscapes.
