Submit your event for the First Ocean Literacy Festival in the Atlantic Ocean and North Sea Region

Supported by the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Commission, the EU4Ocean Atlantic & North Sea basin community is organising the first Ocean Literacy Festival, which will showcase initiatives and activities from all European countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea.

The Festival will take place on May 22nd, 2021, back-to-back with the annual European Maritime Day conference, organised this year in Den Helder (Netherlands).

Why an Ocean Literacy Festival

The aim of the Festival is to raise awareness of the importance of the ocean, marine resources and ocean science for the blue economy in the region. The festival activities are aimed at families, young people, pupils, teachers, marine science educators, researchers, entrepreneurs, policy makers, and other professionals.

What we are looking for

The EU4Ocean coalition is looking for engaging ocean literacy activities, from science shows, arts performances, science cafés or workshops to public debates and educational activities for young Europeans and other audiences that are directly or indirectly linked to the Atlantic & North Sea basin.

Although most festival activities will be digital, the Festival may include hybrid events that can consist of activities either taking place online or happening in different locations and being broadcast online.

Some examples of activities would be:

• Practical marine science experiments or science shows
• Science cafés, workshops, conferences, seminars
• Educational activities, training sessions, MOOCs about the ocean
• Guided tours, walks, guided boat or underwater excursions, eco-tours in maritime heritage sites, harbours, old ships, aquariums, museums...
• Conservation actions (broadcasts from beach cleanings, citizen science activities...)
• Virtual exhibitions, including art or photography, showcasing marine topics
• Crafts and DIY activities concerning the ocean
• Short talks about ocean-related ideas worth spreading
• Street events
• Songs about the ocean
• Ocean-themed dance performances
• Theater plays about the ocean
• Games and quizzes centered on the ocean
• And many other activities

Who can apply and how

• Are you a member of the EU4Ocean Platform or of the Network of European Blue Schools? Or interested in becoming one?

Then, come up with a fun and engaging activity project and submit it by April 15th, 2021.  If your project matches the ocean literacy requirements, it will be included in the programme of the Ocean Literacy Festival and promoted on the dedicated webpage and on the social media.

Click here to submit your activity

• Are you a young person between the ages of 16 and 30?

In that case, not only can you apply with your activity project that - if successful - will be included in the programme of the Ocean Literacy Festival, but you can also become a Young Ocean Advocate! Check out the new call for Young Ocean Advocates

Click here to submit your activity

All kinds of activities are welcome and there is no limit to the imagination!

Every activity organiser will mobilise the participants of their event.

Tips to apply

Include the following information in your application:

• Is your activity live or will it be pre-recorded and made available online? If it is live, when would be the best time for it (e.g.: morning/afternoon/evening?) and how can it be broadcast?
• How long does it last?
• In which language? To share your event with foreign audiences, we suggest to carry it out in English or add English subtitles, but any other EU languages are welcome provided you include the description of your activity in English.  
• Who’s the target audience of your activity? Young people, families, researchers, or others?

We are eager to welcome you to our community and work together to make this first Ocean Literacy Festival an unforgettable experience!