
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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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).
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Becoming a European Blue School, teacher workshops This two-part workshop series will focus on becoming a European Blue School by developing school projects on one of the three ocean and sea issues: Food from the Ocean, Climate and Ocean, Healthy and Clean Ocean. |
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START OF THE UN-DECADE OF OCEAN RESEARCH There are happening a number of events celebrating the start of the UN Decade of the Ocean Research. |
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Djemila Tassin - The Youth4Ocean Forum presents its first Young Ocean Advocate Djemila Tassin, a young Spanish solo sailor, is the first Young Ocean Advocate of the Forum. |
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OPEN CONSULTATION Protecting biodiversity: nature restoration targets under EU biodiversity strategy This consultation covers three separate EU biodiversity policy initiatives: 1. The evaluation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 (2011-2020), 2. With regard to target 5 of the 2020 Strategy, the review of the application of the EU Regulation on Invasive Alien Species, 3. The development of legally binding EU nature restoration targets: a key commitment of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. |
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Code of conduct for coastal areas Citizenship and Ocean |
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Citizen Science – importance and benefits Citizen Science is a very important aspect and useful resource these days, and the added value brought by citizens for science, research and policy, will represent an essential step made to have the actions carried out focused on the real needs of the community. |
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European Boating Industry supports the cause of ocean literacy European Boating Industry (EBI) is the voice of the recreational boating industry at EU level. The industry includes boat builders, engine and equipment manufacturers, marinas, charter and service providers. As the success of the boating industry depends on a respectful use of the sea and on a healthy marine environment, EBI is fully committed to ocean literacy. |
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We are officially launching the first call for project submission of the Youth4Ocean Forum! Do you have a project in mind to raise awareness of consumers on sustainable seafood or an innovative business plan to use marine resources sustainably? Or something completely different that you think has the potential to change things? We welcome applications from anyone involved or interested in the sustainable use of marine resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of marine ecosystems. |
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Workshop Sealogy: Engaging Italian schools for the ocean In this workshop at Sealogy (19-21 November), we introduce the concept of a European Blue School and explore how Italian schools and ocean professionals can take part, build connections and become engaged in the Network of European Blue Schools. |
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Black Sea Action Day – speaking up for a clean and healthy sea! For the first time in the history of this event of 24 years, all the activities will be online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mare Nostrum NGO prepared a series of challenges and useful information for citizens, in order to emphasize responsible behaviours and sustainable consumption of resources. Start date: 31/10/2020 - 09:00 Last update: 03/11/20 |