On 5 August 2025, Lisbon hosted the Mid Term Event of the MAR2PROTECT project, embedded in the 21st European Symposium on Fluorine Chemistry (ESFC Lisbon). The day embodied the project’s spirit — turning knowledge into action — by bringing together policymakers, scientists, companies, EU programme managers, and the general public to reflect on progress and prepare for future action against PFAS and other emerging contaminants.

At the halfway point of its implementation, MAR2PROTECT showcased achievements, fostered debate, and strengthened collaboration with fellow EU-funded initiatives ALERT-PFAS and Life4Fgases, combining high-level policy discussions, funding opportunities, and citizen engagement activities.

A start with a sense of urgency

The opening session featured Rolf-Jan Hoeve (European Commission, DG ENVI) and Ana Cristina Carrola (Portuguese Environment Agency – APA).

Rolf-Jan Hoeve: “Replacing PFAS is a problem we need to tackle together.”

Both underlined that PFAS are a global challenge requiring global solutions. Their message was clear: Europe must act fast — and act together — to safeguard health and the environment.

Roundtable 1 – Policy recommendations for emerging contaminants

Moderated by journalist Rita Santos (Biosfera, Farol de Ideias), the first discussion brought together leading voices from academia, institutions, and industry:

• Véronique Gouverneur (University of Oxford): “Global problems need global solutions.”

• Luis Simas (ERSAR): “EU research projects and strong cross-sector networks are essential to move forward.”

• Prof. Mark Shiflett (University of Kansas): “I propose a ‘Lisbon Protocol’ to prioritise tackling the most harmful PFAS first.”

• Romain Gandre (Veolia): “We need to support municipalities with technology adoption and cost guidance.”

• Norio Shibata (Nagoya Institute of Technology 名古屋工業大学): “We are sharing Japan’s knowledge while comparing U.S. and European regulations.”

• Vanessa Gouveia (Ambigroup SGPS, Portugal): “A circularity approach is key to reducing PFAS pollution in industrial processes.”

Roundtable 2 – Sustainable and safe PFAS for health and the environment

The second roundtable turned the spotlight on innovation and alternatives:

• Dexi Weng (Dexyan Global/Comeall Technology): “The mission is possible — but we must work together, prioritise, and invest resources.”

• Nebojsa Ilic (PFASuiki GmbH): stressed that solutions must also be economically viable.

• Susana Fonseca (ZERO): underlined that policymakers must fully engage with all stakeholders to ensure effective regulation.

• Marie-Pierre Krafft (University of Strasbourg): called for stronger cross-disciplinary collaboration.

• Prof. Lourdes Vega (Khalifa University): “Artificial intelligence can accelerate solutions — if we use it wisely.”

• Prof. Bruno Ameduri (Institute Charles Gerhardt Montpellier): “We discovered PFAS 85 years ago — we cannot wait decades for a solution.”

• Prof. Beate Koksch (Freie Universität Berlin): expressed confidence that combining technology, science, and regulation will deliver solutions.

Joint funding opportunities session

The afternoon focused on the fuel behind innovation: funding. The Joint funding opportunities session, moderated by Tamara Rodríguez Silva (FEUGA), offered a privileged moment to hear directly from EU and national programme managers:

• Bernd Decker (CINEA) and Vanda Pereira (APA) explained how to navigate LIFE and EC-managed programmes.

• Javier Pinedo (Life4Fgases) and Ana Pereiro (MAR2PROTECT) shared success stories from funded projects.

• Ana Sutcliffe (ANI) outlined Horizon Europe opportunities for Portuguese stakeholders.

• Raquel Rocha (Agency for Development and Cohesion – AD&C) detailed how Interreg funding connects regions and scales up local solutions.

• Isabelle Roger (Interreg SUDOE) highlighted the power of cross-border cooperation.

• João Araujo (ALERT-PFAS) showed how Interreg projects can spark innovation in tackling emerging contaminants.

European research networking forum

The conference also hosted the European Research Networking Forum, where Portuguese institutions — CEFITEC, CENSE, LAQV, LIBPhys, MARE, and UCIBIO — presented their expertise and explored synergies for future Horizon Europe, LIFE, and Interreg proposals.

This created fertile ground for MAR2PROTECT to consolidate new alliances and scale up impact in the second half of the project.

FUN HALL – Science in action for all ages

Running in parallel, the FUN HALL transformed science into an accessible, creative, and participatory experience:

• Exhibition of project materials and posters

• Interactive games on water contamination, resource reuse, and sustainability

• Environmental trivia with surprise prizes

• A cinema room screening short films, animations, and project testimonies

🌟 The highlight was “Aquaville”, an interactive city simulation where more than 120 children from local summer schools learned how to protect a community from pollution.

A milestone for MAR2PROTECT

The Mid Term Event was a milestone for MAR2PROTECT: an opportunity to present progress, reinforce partnerships, and prepare the ground for the project’s final stage.