
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.
|
On 20 May 2022, during the European Maritime Day, the hybrid Ocean Literacy EU4Ocean Summit showcased and awarded the most successful initiatives, collaborations and actions of the EU4Ocean Coalition members. Organisations, individuals, young people, schools and teachers came together to celebrate their efforts and commitment to the ocean and invite others to join them in their work to enhance ocean literacy throughout Europe.
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).
Title | |
---|---|
![]() |
Meet a Blue Expert #1: How to organise an ocean literacy digital event? The first edition of Meet a Blue Expert welcomes Sophia Bolton from Incredible Oceans who will share her experience in organising online events. |
![]() |
Celebrating the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea - Welcome to our Ocean Literacy Festival ! On the occasion of the European Maritime Day, the EU4Ocean coalition is organising the first Ocean Literacy online festival as part of the Atlantic and North Sea basin event and is pleased to offer you the possibility to learn fascinating things about our maritime region in the spirit of sea festivals. |
![]() |
From Fishing to Farming: Aquaculture in Ocean Literacy – Call for Abstracts We are calling for presentations of inspiring examples of ocean literacy projects, tools and communication campaigns in relation to sustainable aquaculture to be showcased at the Aquaculture Europe 2021 Madeira, Portugal, 4-7 October 2021. Start date: 04/10/2021 (All day) Last update: 30/03/21 |
![]() |
Celebrate EMSEAgrass Awareness Month with us By Agata Skomar, Marine education specialist at the Gdynia Aquarium NMFRI, member of EMSEA and the Youth4Ocean Forum. |
![]() |
Where the world is heading. An International Sopot Youth Conference. Sopot Science Association, together with IO PAN and their partners, every year gather young scientists and science enthusiasts and give them the opportunity to present their work, visions, opinions, and thoughts. Due to the multidisciplinary character of the Conference, the abstracts and presentations are intended for the general audience. The Conference language is English. The fifth edition of the International Sopot Youth Conference 2021 entitled Where the World is Heading (http://stn.edu.pl/isyc2021), is the continuation of the Sopot Youth Forum. Since 2008 over 500 scientists from different countries have presented their work during the Conference. This year, the Conference consists of three blocks: humanities and social science, natural and physical sciences as well as the invited block, entitled: Women and Girls in Science. |
![]() |
Submit your event for the First Ocean Literacy Festival in the Atlantic Ocean and North Sea Region The EU4Ocean Coalition is looking for engaging ocean literacy events, from science shows, arts performances, science cafés or workshops to public debates and educational activities for young Europeans and other audiences. There is no limit to the imagination! |
![]() |
UNCOVERING THE OCEAN’S SECRETS ‘Marine Ecosystem Diaries’ will give public a deep tour of the ocean’s ecosystems. The Marine Diaries, an ocean science communication platform, is today launching a new public education initiative designed to bring the ocean to life for all people. The ‘Marine Ecosystem Diaries’ invites you on an exciting tour of the world's ocean ecosystems, and is the latest deep dive by the Marine Diaries into the watery world below. |
![]() |
The Youth4Ocean Forum is calling all young people in the Atlantic and North Sea area! The new call for project proposals of the Youth4Ocean Forum is designed to promote the ideas of young changemakers in the Atlantic and North Sea regions. |
![]() |
We're taking part in the Green Deal Hackathon! Eloïse Faure, Founding Member of the Youth4Ocean Forum is taking part in the Green Deal Hackathon on 12-13 February 2021. This event is organised by the Representation of the European Commission in France. |
![]() |
The Network of European Blue Schools: get on board! European Blue Schools bring the ocean into the classroom. On the journey to becoming a European Blue School, teachers and pupils will improve their understanding of the ocean and develop a sense of responsibility towards our shared planet. |