Launch Event of the India-EU Ideathon to Combat Marine Plastic Litter - an initiative under the India-EU TTC Working Group 2
The India-EU Ideathon on “Combating Marine Plastic Litter” was formally launched on 25th September 2025. The event was jointly organised by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union to India, under the aegis of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies. The Ideathon invites applications from start-ups, researchers, businesses and other stakeholders in India and the European Union to co-develop practical and innovative solutions to address marine plastic litter.
The event was graced by Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of the PSA, and Ms. Signe Ratso, Deputy Director-General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission. Dr. Maini emphasised that the Ideathon represents a joint effort to develop solutions that are both globally relevant and locally effective. She said, “The Ideathon on combating marine plastic litter is an excellent example of India-EU’s shared vision for developing globally impactful solutions that address the problem of plastic pollution in both Indian and European contexts.”
Ms. Ratso underlined that the initiative is an important step in strengthening EU-India cooperation on sustainability challenges. She said, “The EU-India-TTC-WG2 Ideathon strengthens EU-India cooperation, as we join forces to address challenges that impact our shared vision for global sustainability. This initiative brings us together to tackle marine plastic pollution, a growing crisis that endangers marine life, public health, and coastal economies across our regions.”
Special remarks were delivered by Ms. Nienke Buisman, Head of the International Cooperation Unit at the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission, and Dr. Rakesh Kaur, Adviser, Office of the PSA. Both encouraged participants to actively contribute ideas and explore collaborative pathways for addressing marine plastic litter. An overview of the Ideathon framework, outlining the process, structure, guidelines and timelines was presented in the launch event.
A landscape of marine plastic litter in India and the European Union was presented by Prof. Hoysala N. Chanakya, Chief Research Scientist, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and Mr. John Hanus, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission, respectively. The presentations highlighted prevailing challenges and ongoing research initiatives in both regions and emphasised the importance of coordinated and sustained action to address the issue.
During the event, three challenges for the Ideathon were introduced by mentors from India and the European Union: (i) identifying and tracking marine plastics to develop innovative approaches for detecting and monitoring their movement across coastal and ocean ecosystems, (ii) developing technologies for the removal of marine plastics with a focus on effective and scalable solutions to reduce plastic litter in marine environments, and (iii) raising awareness and mobilising communities for the prevention of marine plastic pollution, highlighting the role of behavioural change and community-led action to stop plastic leakage into ecosystems. Each presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session that allowed participants to engage directly and clarify the scope of these themes.
The event was also attended by Dr. Hafsa Ahmad, Scientist D, Office of the PSA, and Mr. Antonio Marquez Camacho, Policy Officer, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission, and Mr. Kinchit Bihani, Research and Innovation Adviser at the Delegation of the EU to India.
The event was graced by experts in the field including Dr. Pravakar Mishra, Former Scientist G, National Centre for Coastal Research, MoES; Prof. E.V. Ramasamy, Professor Emeritus, School of Environmental Sciences, MG University, Kerala; Dr. S.R. Marigoudar, Scientist E, National Centre for Coastal Research, MoES; Dr. K. Ramu, Scientist F, National Centre for Coastal Research, MoES; Dr. Ajay Karmarkar, Director-Technical, KONSPEC Industries; Dr. Robin R.S, Scientist C, National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management; Dr. Vanessa-Sarah Salvo, Marine Researcher, Institut de Ciències del Mar-CSIC; Dr. Vesna Kuralt, Project Manager, REMEDIES; and Ms. Pilar Zorzo Gallego, President of the Spanish Marine Litter Association. Their presence enriched the discussions and provided valuable perspectives on addressing marine plastic pollution. In total, more than seventy-five participants joined from across India and the European Union, representing officials, researchers, start-ups, businesses, and civil society organisations.
Applications for the Ideathon remain open until 2nd October 2025. Interested participants may apply through the official website at https://euindiaideathon.org/ and may contact eu-india@servicefacility.eu for further information.
About the Trade and Technology Council set up by India and the EU
The India-EU Trade and Technology (TTC) was first announced by the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, and India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in April., 2022. Established on 6th February 2023, this strategic coordination mechanism allows both sides to tackle challenges at the nexus of trade, trusted technology, security and deepens cooperation in these fields. Establishing India-EU TTC is a key step towards a strengthened strategic partnership for the benefit of all people in the EU and India.
The TTC is a key forum to deepen the strategic partnership on trade and technology between the two partners. Geostrategic challenges have reinforced the EU and India’s common interest in ensuring security, prosperity and sustainable development based on shared values.
The TTC consists of three Working Groups:
- Working Group 1 on Strategic Technologies, Digital Governance and Digital Connectivity.
- Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies; and
- Working Group 3 on Trade, Investment and Resilient Value Chains.
Working Groups are now jointly working to advance identified objectives and key actions. The India-EU TTC Working Group 2 on green and clean energy technologies is being co-chaired from the Indian side by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and from the EU side by the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission.