
The ocean is a source of life for human beings. It gives us food, oxygen and energy. It is home to many species and acts as climate regulator. Understanding how we influence the ocean and how the ocean influences us is at the core of ocean literacy. This understanding allows us to make responsible choices to better protect our ocean and to use the opportunities it offers in a sustainable manner. This is what we are striving for in Europe, contributing to the improvement of the well-being of Europeans, as envisioned and recently confirmed in the European Green Deal.
The European Ocean Coalition (EU4Ocean) connects diverse organisations, projects and people that contribute to ocean literacy and the sustainable management of the ocean. Supported by the European Commission, this bottom-up inclusive initiative aims at uniting the voices of Europeans to make the ocean a concern of everyone!
This coalition will:
The EU4Ocean coalition combines EU-wide activities with actions dedicated to the Arctic Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean (including the North Sea), the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the global ocean.
The coalition is made up of three components: a Platform for organisations and individuals engaged in Ocean Literacy initiatives, a European Youth Forum for the Ocean and a Network of European Blue Schools.
Awards will be given to outstanding active individuals, organisations and initiatives from the three networks.
Follow #EU4Ocean to stay informed.
A multitude of threats including climate change, overfishing and pollution is putting our ocean at risk, and changing course requires us to work together. As part of the EU4Ocean Coalition, the Make Europe Blue campaign is calling on you - citizens, businesses, organisations, authorities, celebrities, educators - to make a pledge to help the ocean. Your pledge is a personal promise or action that will keep our ocean healthy. Every action – even the smallest one - brings change to our ocean!
Check out the campaign page and get inspired by the pledges of journalists, educators, policy-makers, activists and organisations engaged in ocean protection.
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After more than 2 years, the EU4Ocean Coalition is rewarding and celebrating the efforts of its members and their most outstanding initiatives to date, and is looking forward to the future!
Save the dates
Over 136 amazing photos and videos have been shared on Instagram between 14.07 and 18.08 2020. A wave of inspiring, intense, stunning images of the ocean, its creatures, landscapes and people who are emotionally connected to our blue planet.
By joining an active group of organisations, initiatives and people, members of the EU4Ocean Platform will benefit from the sharing of ideas, build partnerships and join forces to deliver a more coordinated approach to ocean literary activities in Europe. Let us unite and collectively build momentum for European ocean literacy, encouraging other initiatives to join the movement. At the core of the platform is the exchange of expertise, knowledge and best practices in ocean literacy. Members will create synergies and new collective initiatives that can reach broader audiences thereby generating larger impact.
Are you a changemaker between 16 and 30 and passionate about the Ocean? Do you want to join other young people to tackle the climate crisis, fight pollution and ensure food security? If so, the European Youth Forum for the Ocean (Youth4Ocean) is for you!
As a member of the Youth4Ocean Forum, you will get the chance to be the voice of your generation, pitch your ideas and network with leading experts, stakeholders and decision-makers addressing ocean challenges. You will be able to develop new projects with like-minded people from different European countries. Your initiatives will be supported and showcased to enhance their wider take-up and impact
How are we connected to the ocean? Find the blue link! As a teacher, school director or staff of education services, you will challenge your students from primary, lower and upper secondary, technical or vocational schools to develop a ‘Find the blue’ project that links them to the ocean. By successfully completing the project and sharing its results, schools will receive the European Blue School certification.
The Network will assist you in connecting with relevant partners to: (1) share Blue School experiences; (2) find inspiration on how to address ocean topics that are relevant to your curricula, your school and your community; and (3) receive the European Blue School stamp recognising the value of your initiative. In addition, participating teachers will gain access to specific training, resources and assistance by other members of the EU4Ocean Coalition.
EU4Ocean is a project funded by the European Commission and implemented by a consortium of 12 partners across Europe, which includes: ACTeon (coordinator, France), Seascape Belgium (Secretariat of the European Marine Observation and Data Network and the European Atlas of the Seas, Belgium), the European Marine Board (EMB, Belgium), Nausicaá-National Sea Centre (France), the World Ocean Network (WON, France), Ciência Viva (Portugal), the European Marine Science Educators Association (EMSEA, Belgium), Ecologic Institute (Germany), the European Centre for Information on Marine Science and Technology (EurOcean, Portugal), Secretariat of Submariners (S.Pro, Germany), MARE Nostrum (Romania), European Schoolnet (Belgium), and Farah Obaidullah (Independent Ocean Advocate & Founder Women4Oceans, The Netherlands).
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Celebrating ocean literacy in the Mediterranean Sea – Welcome to our Mediterranean Sea basin event The EU4Ocean Coalition is organising a new round of engaging ocean literacy activities for the upcoming Let's Make the Mediterranean Blue Sea basin event. From youth activities, educational programmes to the Mediterranean Ocean Literacy Festival, there is no limit to your imagination. Come on board and join us in making the Med blue! Start date: 24/09/2021 (All day) Last update: 21/07/21 |
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Supporting Ocean Literacy in the Baltic - EU4Ocean "Let’s make the Baltic Sea Blue" Let’s make the Baltic Sea Blue! Start date: 26/08/2021 (All day) Last update: 14/07/21 |
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On an amazing journey with the European Atlas of the Seas! On 16 June 2021, the EMODnet Secretariat organized an online ocean literacy workshop on the European Atlas of the Seas. |
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Join the Ocean Literacy Festival in the Mediterranean Sea The EU4Ocean Coalition is setting up a new round of engaging ocean literacy events. From scientific trekking, quizzes, science cafés or videos to public debates and educational activities for young changemakers and other audiences. There is no limit to your imagination, discover with us what different Mediterranean actors are proposing to make the Mediterranean blue! Start date: 25/09/2021 (All day) Last update: 12/07/21 |
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The Youth4Ocean Forum is calling all young people in the Mediterranean Sea area! This new call for project proposals of the Youth4Ocean Forum is designed to promote the ideas of young changemakers in the Mediterranean Sea basin region. Start date: 24/09/2021 (All day) Last update: 12/07/21 |
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Meet a Blue Expert #3: How to succeed the crowdfunding of your ocean project? In the third episode of Meet a Blue Expert the Youth4Ocean Forum will welcome Pierre-Maël Deffontaines, Institutional Relations Officer at Ekosea. |
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Seaweeds and Sustainability - Can Macroalgae Replace Plastic? Our oceans may provide a solution to pollution from plastic-based packaging in the form of seaweed! Start date: 09/06/2021 (All day) Last update: 09/06/21 |
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Lorac: A Story to Protect the Ocean Storytelling |
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I'm with Lorac Young Ocean Advocate Project |
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Clean Boating Young Ocean Advocate Project |