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 protect our ocean better and to use the opportunities it offers in a sustainable manner. Thereby, it as also contributing to the improvement of the well-being of people, as envisioned 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!
It 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 consists of three components:
- EU4Ocean Platform, platform for organisations and individuals engaged in Ocean Literacy initiatives
- Youth4Ocean Forum, European Youth Forum for the Ocean
- Network of European Blue Schools
Other initiatives by DG MARE also contribute to ocean literacy such as:
- The European Atlas of the Seas which is an easy and fun way for professionals, students and anyone interested to learn more about Europe's seas and coasts, their environment, related human activities and European policies. It aims to raise long-term awareness of Europe's oceans and seas, in the context of the EU's integrated maritime policy.
- A European event to engage youth in developing ideas for the sustainable use of the marine environment and resources while minimizing the negative impacts of human activities, is the Hack4Oceans. This 2-day Youth Innovation Event will give young participants across Europe the possibility to learn, explore and co-create opportunities for prosperity through ocean conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. The event will bring together undergraduate students and professional stakeholders coming from the private sector, policy-making and academia.
Hack4oceans participants will develop ideas and solutions to several important and urgent challenges related to:
- Marine Litter;
- Alternative food from the ocean;
- Ocean and Climate Change;
- Protecting and Restoring Coastal Ecosystems.
Postponed due to Covid19, the Hack4oceans will take place in Brussels (BE) on 21 and 22 April 2021.
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The 2022 edition of the Summer School organized by OGS will focus on the Copernicus Marine Services as a supporting tool to foster Sustainable Blue Economy The Summer School focuses on the topics of the Sustainable Blue Economy, bringing together participants from Euro-Mediterranean Countries and Central European Initiative member States. It targets researchers and young experts who want to expand their knowledge of data acquisition and models development to support decision making on the Ocean. Applications are open until 18th March, 2022! Start date: 02/07/2022 - 09:00 Last update: 09/03/22 |
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The Charter for the Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030” Sign up to the event! Start date: 30/06/2022 - 15:00 Last update: 22/06/22 |
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The EU4Ocean coalition fosters Ocean Literacy Dialogues at UNOC On June 29, from 18:00 to 20:00, join the EU4Ocean coalition and IOC-UNESCO for the "Ocean Literacy Dialogues" side event at the Pavillion of Knowledge. Start date: 29/06/2022 - 18:00 Last update: 26/05/22 |
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Science Communication and Blue Storytelling – A training workshop for young people A side event at the United Nations Ocean Conference, Lisbon, Portugal, 28th June 2022, 10:00 – 13:00 Start date: 28/06/2022 - 10:00 Last update: 14/06/22 |
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Calling for volunteers to play with us! European Atlas of the Seas game Experience science & research from behind the scenes of the European Atlas of the Seas! We are looking for teachers who would love taking their classroom on a wild science ride! Start date: 10/06/2022 - 12:30 Last update: 26/05/22 |
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Take part in European Maritime Day 2022 in Cyprus! “European Maritime Day in Cyprus” will take place on 9-13 June 2022 in Larnaca. Discover the many activities on the agenda! Start date: 09/06/2022 (All day) Last update: 09/06/22 |
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Call for activities for the EU4OCEAN Summit Ocean Literacy Festival! The EU4Ocean Coalition is organising a new round of engaging ocean literacy activities for the upcoming EU4Ocean Ocean Literacy Summit. 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 EU Blue! Start date: 21/05/2022 - 09:00 Last update: 29/03/22 |
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Let’s make Europe Blue: the EU4Ocean for Ocean Literacy Summit rewards outstanding actions for the Ocean After more than 2 years, the EU4Ocean Ocean Literacy Summit is rewarding outstanding actions for the Ocean! Start date: 19/05/2022 (All day) Last update: 01/02/22 |
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Let’s listen to the Arctic: The Arctic Ocean Literacy event on 5th and 8th of April The EU4Ocean Coalition organised the “Let’s listen to the Arctic Ocean” event series, supported by the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Commission. Start date: 05/04/2022 - 10:00 Last update: 02/03/22 |
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Let’s listen to the Arctic Ocean - A Festival for Ocean Literacy Join the Ocean Literacy Festival in the Arctic Ocean between the 4th to the 8th of April! Start date: 04/04/2022 (All day) Last update: 18/03/22 |