ACTNOW at Blue Village in Ancona

ACTNOW Engages the Public at “Blue Village – Cittadella della Ricerca sul Mare” in Ancona

On May 17th, 2025, ACTNOW partners from CoNISMA – Università Politecnica delle Marche (Ancona) participated in the Blue Village – Cittadella della Ricerca sul Mare, an event organised as part of Tipicità in Blu, Ancona’s annual festival dedicated to maritime culture, science, and innovation.

Held at the heart of the city’s waterfront, the Blue Village offered a dynamic, interactive space for the public to explore the future of our seas. The initiative brought together universities, research institutions, local authorities, and civil society to foster dialogue and co-create knowledge on marine challenges and solutions. This year’s focus was on the intersection of science, creativity, and participation—making it an ideal venue for ACTNOW’s ocean literacy and public engagement goals.

ACTNOW researchers from the CoNISMA team engaged participants through a variety of formats, including hands-on demonstrations, informal talks, and one-on-one conversations with the public. These activities highlighted ACTNOW’s work in the Adriatic Sea case study region, with a particular focus on the cumulative impacts threatening coastal ecosystems. Discussions addressed how these pressures can be traced, modelled, and mitigated—bridging complex scientific data with everyday experiences and local knowledge.

The event provided a valuable platform to present ACTNOW’s interdisciplinary approach and to discuss the importance of scientific research in supporting evidence-based policy and marine conservation. It also reinforced the value of direct engagement with communities, especially in coastal regions that are at the forefront of climate and biodiversity challenges.