About this project
This youth-led initiative will combat marine plastic pollution in Valparaíso, Chile, through science-based monitoring, public awareness, and policy advocacy. Using the AUSMAP (Australian Microplastic Assessment Project) methodology, the project will train young volunteers and local communities to measure and map plastics and microplastics on beaches, generating open data to identify hotspots and guide solutions.
The project has two core activities:
Field Sampling & Data Mapping – Conduct 3–4 coastal expeditions to collect and analyze plastics and microplastics. Data will be uploaded to an open-access “Plásticos y Playas” platform, visualizing contamination levels and trends.
Policy & Public Engagement – Support the Coalición Supera el Plástico in promoting the effective implementation of Chile’s Single-Use Plastics Law (Law 21.368) through communication materials, community events, and collaboration with municipalities.
The combination of citizen science and advocacy will:
Strengthen local awareness of plastic pollution.
Equip youth and community leaders with practical tools to monitor and reduce plastics in coastal ecosystems.
Provide data-driven evidence to influence local and national policy implementation.
By integrating science, education, and policy engagement, the project aims to transform community participation into measurable environmental impact, contributing to SDGs 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation), 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production), and 14 (Life Below Water).
Goals and Objectives
Goal:
Empower youth and local communities in Valparaíso to address marine plastic pollution through citizen science, advocacy, and collaboration.
Objectives:
Data Generation – Implement AUSMAP methodology in at least 3–4 field campaigns to measure and map plastic and microplastic pollution on Valparaíso beaches.
Public Engagement – Raise awareness of the impacts of plastics through community activities, educational content, and local media outreach.
Policy Support – Collaborate with the Coalición Supera el Plástico and municipalities to promote the enforcement of the Single-Use Plastics Law.
Platform Development – Create an accessible online platform to share results, empower citizen monitoring, and support advocacy campaigns.
Beneficiaries:
Direct: 80–100 local youth, community members, and volunteers trained in citizen science.
Indirect: Coastal residents, local schools, municipal authorities, NGOs, and the general public in the Valparaíso region.
Sustainability & Scaling:
The AUSMAP methodology is low-cost and replicable, allowing trained community members to continue monitoring beyond the project’s timeline. The open-access platform will remain active as a long-term resource for public awareness and policymaking. The model can be replicated in other coastal regions in Chile and Latin America.
Expected result
3–4 Beach Sampling Campaigns Completed
Specific: At least three field expeditions using AUSMAP.
Measurable: Reports from each sampling, uploaded to the platform.
Time-bound: Within 6 months of project start.
Online “Plásticos y Playas” Platform Launched
Specific: Interactive map showing plastic/microplastic concentration per sampling point.
Measurable: At least 50 data entries by project end.
Time-bound: Platform online by month 4.
Increased Public Awareness & Engagement
Specific: 6–8 educational/social media pieces produced.
Measurable: At least 1,000 people reached through online content and events.
Policy Advocacy Strengthened
Specific: 2 municipal collaborations for plastics law enforcement.
Measurable: Two policy briefs shared with local authorities.
Youth Leadership Enhanced
Specific: At least 50 young people trained in plastic pollution monitoring.
Measurable: Participant pre/post surveys showing increased knowledge by 40%.
About me / organisation
Ignacio Orellana Troncoso
Ignacio Orellana is an Industrial Civil Engineer from the University of Chile and Project Manager at Uno.Cinco NGO, leading environmental education, public awareness, and climate advocacy initiatives in Chile and Latin America. He has coordinated regional programs such as the Water and Hydric Resilience Academy and the Road to COP30 Educational Program, and played a key role in the Regional Conference of Youth for Latin America (RCOY Latam 2023). Ignacio has experience in climate governance, sustainable finance, and stakeholder engagement through roles at the World Resources Institute, UNDP, and the Latin American Coalition for Climate Action (CLAAC). https://www.linkedin.com/in/iorellanatroncoso/
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