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.
More information
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Youth4Ocean Forum awards Young Ocean Advocates for their outstanding projects As part of EU4Ocean award process, a jury met to pre-select five projects of Young Ocean Advocates (cf. Terms of Reference for process and assessment criteria) which would then be submitted to the final EU4Ocean Awards. |
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Youth4Ocean Forum at the European Maritime Day In this program, you’ll find all the events where our members will be involved. |
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Why should you join the EU4Ocean Platform? Our members share their experience! The EU4Ocean Platform now counts more than 130 members! |
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Continuation of the EU4Ocean coalition’s work (CINEA/2022/OP/0009) The main objective of this action is to ensure the continuity of the established EU4Ocean coalition, launched in 2020 to boost ocean literacy in Europe, to consolidate further its activities, offer appropriate services to its members and to broaden its scope and coverage across Europe. |
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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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The Youth4Ocean Forum is calling all young people in Italy to celebrate the Ocean! The Youth4Ocean Forum is participating in the Ravenna Seaside Events, organised by the Municipality of Ravenna, Italy, from 20th to 22nd May 2022. This event is organised back-to-back with the European Maritime Day and the EU4Ocean Summit. |
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"EU4Ocean in action" awards: Call for nominations! Celebrating the achievements of the EU4Ocean coalition. Start date: 24/03/2022 - 09:15 Last update: 24/03/22 |
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Call for Young Ocean Advocates – Healthy Ocean The Youth4Ocean Forum is calling young people to submit projects dedicated to keeping our ocean healthy! |
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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 |
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Youth4Ocean Forum members meet French school pupils On Wednesday 2nd February 2022, four members of the Youth4Ocean Forum met with middle school and high school pupils of the city of Calais, in the North of France, and discussed solutions to preserve marine biodiversity, tackle ocean pollution and the effects of climate change. |
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