Background Marine litter is a problem that affects many parts of Europe and can cause a wide spectrum of environmental, economic, health and cultural impacts. There are a variety of reasons why the phenomenon occurs, including: poor solid waste management practices; a lack of infrastructure; human activities; low levels of public awareness about the potential consequences of littering; gaps in adequate legal and enforcement systems; and a lack of financial resources. Marine litter problems around Italy’s Ligurian Sea and its shores are linked to these causes but the problem has also been exacerbated by changing weather patterns, as heavier rainfall during Spring and Autumn washes more litter into the marine environment. Biomass and wood within the litter represents a valuable source of potential fuel for renewable energy plants. Objectives: The LIFE SMILE project’s main aim focuses on reducing and recovering marine litter in coastal areas. This will be achieved through the development of governance processes for implementing an innovative ‘catching mechanism’ for marine litter in a pilot area. All work will contribute to the region’s ICZM operations. Specific actions will include:Implementation of an integrated approach to solid waste management including specific activities related to marine litter in waste management strategies;Extension of existing ICZM operations further inland;Standardisation and harmonisation of related monitoring programmes;Development of governance processes, at local and regional level, for promoting more shared policies and actions in coastal areas;Implementation of a catching mechanism to reduce and prevent the transport of solid wastes from river basins, including a cost/benefit analysis of the system; and Raising the awareness of environmental stewardship amongst sea and coastal users in order to improve the efficacy of existing law and regulations in addressing marine litter problems.Objectives Objectives: The SMILE project’s main aim focuses on reducing and recovering marine litter in coastal areas. This will be achieved through the development of governance processes for implementing an innovative ‘catching mechanism’ for marine litter in a pilot area. All work will contribute to the region’s ICZM operations. Specific actions will include:Implementation of an integrated approach to solid waste management including specific activities related to marine litter in waste management strategies;Extension of existing ICZM operations further inland;Standardisation and harmonisation of related monitoring programmes;Development of governance processes, at local and regional level, for promoting more shared policies and actions in coastal areas;Implementation of a catching mechanism to reduce and prevent the transport of solid wastes from river basins, including a cost/benefit analysis of the system; and Raising the awareness of environmental stewardship amongst sea and coastal users in order to improve the efficacy of existing law and regulations in addressing marine litter problems. Expected results: Anticipated outcomes from the project’s actions include: Introduction of a monitoring protocol for marine litter from beaches and shallow waters;Collation of survey data from the pilot area about beach and benthic litter. The survey will also provide valuable information about stakeholders’ perceptions of marine litter in the pilot area; Publication of an overview of good practices about waste management and marine litter prevention;A draft outline for a methodology of governance processes;Preparation of guidelines for local waste management, supported by a related web-based GIS tool; Launch of a web and mobile app-based reporting platform on marine litter;Implementation of an innovative litter trap system; and Publication of a cost-efficiency report about the litter trap system.