Lead partner of the project, Jonian Dolphin Center organized the final event from October 7-8th which took place in Taranto, Italia. This event brought together local and international partners from various regions, including Termoli, Montenegro, Albania, and Taranto, to celebrate their collective efforts and research endeavors. Hosted in the captivating city of Taranto as part of the "Taranto Port Days," the Final Event signified the culmination of extensive work dedicated to promoting Citizen Science and nurturing skills in the Blue Economy field.

Exploring Taranto

The participants started their journey on October 7th by visiting "KETOS," the Euromediterranean Center for the Sea and Cetaceans created by the Lead Partner. This was followed by active involvement in the Taranto Port Days, where attendees immersed themselves in scientific and awareness activities at the Jonian Dolphin Conservation stand.

Steering Committee Meeting:

During the second day all partners convened for the final Steering Committee meeting, a significant milestone as it marked the first in-person gathering of the partners. Given the project's commencement amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, all previous meetings had been conducted virtually. This meeting served as a crucial platform for partners to share their progress and challenges, fostering a deeper understanding of the diverse approaches adopted in the regions involved. The meeting covered key issues such as project status updates, the exchange of best practices, and the development of future synergies.

Final Conference

Later that day partners actively participated in the Final Conference, held within the Taranto Port Days event. Open to the local community, this Conference aimed to disseminate the project's findings and engage the community in understanding the significance of citizen science and the blue economy. The event featured the following key elements:

• Presentation of Project Results: Each partner presented their research findings, emphasizing the invaluable role of citizen participation in data collection and analysis.
• Discussion and Networking: The event facilitated direct interaction between the local community and project partners, enabling questions and discussions about how to leverage the project's outcomes to promote sustainable development.