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Paraná, Brazil | 23 – 26 March 2026
The IURC Latin America and the Caribbean programme kicked off the first Advanced Cooperation Mission in Paraná. It brought together representatives from Catalonia and the Brazilian state of Paraná to explore cooperation opportunities in the blue economy, with a strong focus on environmental sustainability, research, and community engagement.
Over four days, participants engaged in technical visits, fieldwork activities, and institutional meetings, gaining first-hand insights into how coastal regions are addressing shared challenges such as marine pollution, ecosystem protection, and sustainable economic development.
Day 1 | A port connected with the community
The first day of the mission began with a visit to the Port of Paranaguá, one of the largest ports in the country, and its facilities. Participants were introduced to the port’s structure, with an emphasis on the social and environmental projects that aim to find a balance between economic activity and ecological preservation.
Afterwards, the delegation visited the port facilities, offering a closer look at how large-scale marine logistics coexist with local activities like fishing, bathing, or or transport to communities that are only reachable by boat.
A key moment of the day was the visit to the local community of Eufrazina, where participants could observe the direct impact of the port’s social and environmental initiatives. Projects related to wastewater treatment and water quality monitoring showcased how collaboration between institutions and communities can lead to tangible improvements.
The day concluded with a welcome dinner bringing together representatives from the governments of Paraná and Catalonia, alongside institutions such as BlueNetCat, MarBrasil Association, the Federal Institute of Paraná, ICATMAR, and the Ports of Paranaguá and Antonina.
Day 2 | Understanding microplastics and education of the younger generations
The second day focused on field activities in Paranaguá Bay, where participants took part in technical sampling exercises to better understand the presence of microplastics in marine environments.
Through hands-on experience, participants learned about the methodologies, challenges, and costs associated with microplastic research. The findings of the studies presented showed how microplastics are spread across the environment and are a reflection of local culture and practices.
The day also included a visit to Mar Maré, an initiative dedicated to environmental education, particularly for children. Through school activities and community engagement, the organisation promotes awareness of marine pollution and encourages behavioural change from an early age.
Participants identified potential for data harmonisation between regions, which could strengthen international cooperation on marine pollution.
Day 3 | Research, innovation and institutional cooperation
The third day was dedicated to exploring Paraná’s research and innovation ecosystem linked to the blue economy. Participants visited the MarBrasil Association, the Marine Research Center of the Federal University of Paraná, and the Federal Institute of Paraná (IFPR), where they were introduced to ongoing projects related to marine litter, fishing activity monitoring, and ecosystem conservation.
At IFPR, the delegation toured the campus facilities and laboratories, including its incubator, and took part in an institutional meeting with the Campus Director. Discussions focused on identifying potential pilot projects under the IURC framework, aligning technical priorities, and exploring concrete areas for collaboration.
The visits highlighted the strong network of actors working on the blue economy in Paraná, as well as their openness to international cooperation, alongside the shared interests of the Catalan and Paraná regions in marine litter tracking, data processing, and analysis, which emerged as a key area for future joint work.
Day 4 | Local action and global dialogue
The final day was dedicated to connecting local experiences with broader global conversations.
The delegation met with representatives from the Regional Government of Paraná, where ongoing projects and strategic priorities in the blue economy were presented. Catalan participants also shared insights from their regional ecosystem, fostering a two-way exchange of knowledge and practices.
The mission concluded with the participation in the Smart City Expo Curitiba. Igor Lopes, Manager of the Blue Economy Regional Community of Practice, moderated a session on how coastal regions are translating the potential of the blue economy into inclusive and resilient urban strategies. The panel featured Filipe Braga Farhat — International Projects Coordinator at the General Superintendence for Economic and Social Development of the Paraná State Government—, Paula Mèlich Bonet —Delegate of the Government of Catalonia in Brazil— and Felipe Peixoto —Executive Secretary of the Municipality of Niterói—.
Read about the Catalan delegation in Brazil and the Paraná government experiences on their websites.
About the IURC LAC Advanced Cooperation Missions
IURC Latin America and the Caribbean, part of the International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) programme, connects cities and regions from Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe to co-create sustainable, inclusive, and innovation-driven solutions. Through peer-to-peer exchange and partnerships, the programme contributes to improving citizens’ quality of life while strengthening global cooperation.
Advanced Cooperation Missions are on-site technical visits that build on the IURC programme’s collaborative and knowledge-sharing approach. They provide cities and regions with the opportunity to further develop the themes explored during the online meetings of the Communities of Practice, refine their cooperation action plans and gain first-hand experience of best practices implemented by the hosting city or region.