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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EU4Ocean - Co-designing Collective Ocean Literacy Actions in the Atlantic and North Sea Basin This workshop was a fully public, online event, open to individuals interested in ocean literacy or any ocean advocate and lover who would like to make a change in the way European citizens view their relationship with the sea. Join the EU4Ocean Coalition and find out more! Start date: 25/09/2020 - 14:00 Last update: 14/09/20 |
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Paving the way for collective Ocean Literacy initiatives in the Mediterranean Sea - EU4Ocean Workshop If you are committed to keywords like ‘the Mediterranean Sea’, ‘sustainable’, ‘supporting transition’, ‘ocean literacy’ and ‘collective’… then you could have played a role in co-building new ocean literacy initiatives for the Mediterranean Sea. But you had to be at the right place at the right time. The right place: our Mediterranean Sea-basin online workshop. The right time: September 25th, 2020 – the Mediterranean Coast Day. Start date: 25/09/2020 - 14:00 Last update: 10/09/20 |
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Ocean literacy in the Arctic: EU4Ocean workshop This workshop brings relevant Arctic actors together and enables cooperative action to increase ocean literacy on the Arctic Ocean, bridging gaps in education and science communication. Start date: 25/09/2020 - 14:00 Last update: 10/09/20 |
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Ocean literacy in the Baltic: EU4Ocean event workshop The Baltic Sea is an ecosystem facing unique challenges. The intensity of usage by multiple actors from the shipping industry to energy, combined with nutrient run-off from agriculture and phenomena such as exacerbated algal blooms make a “healthy Baltic Sea for all” a very demanding task. Start date: 25/09/2020 - 14:00 Last update: 08/09/20 |
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EU4Ocean Workshop: Taking Common Action For Making the Black Sea Sustainable This online workshop gathered all interested stakeholders, around the Black Sea Basin, for approaching specific themes and co-designing common solutions, in terms of sustainability and blue growth. Start date: 25/09/2020 - 13:00 Last update: 08/09/20 |
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EU4Ocean thematic workshops on 25 September 2020 How can we help citizens in European landlocked or inland area to become Ocean Literate? On 25 September 2020, the EU4Ocean thematic workshops on Climate and Ocean, Food from the Ocean or Healthy and Clean Ocean, discussed and gathered ideas for effective Ocean Literacy actions. Start date: 25/09/2020 - 10:00 Last update: 01/09/20 |
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The Network of European Blue Schools Workshop: Embarking on a journey for Ocean Literacy On 24 September 2020, an interactive workshop with the Network of European Blue Schools took place to inspire the next generation of ocean advocates. Start date: 24/09/2020 - 16:00 Last update: 16/09/20 |
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Youth4Ocean Forum: Empowering European Youth to make a difference for the ocean On 24 September 2020, an interactive workshop with the Youth4Ocean Forum founding members took place to define real combined actions for the ocean and ocean literacy. Start date: 24/09/2020 - 14:00 Last update: 10/09/20 |
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The EU4Ocean Platform: Co-Designing Ocean Literacy For Society The EU4Ocean Platform is a focal point in Europe for professionals to connect, collaborate and mobilise efforts in Ocean Literacy. As part of a 2 day EU4Ocean online event, the EU4Ocean Platform organised a webinar on 24 September 2020 at 10:30-12:00 CEST. Start date: 24/09/2020 - 10:30 Last update: 21/09/20 |
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The EU4Ocean coalition: what, what for, how? The opening workshop of the first event of the EU4Ocean coalition underlined the societal and political importance of collective action for cost-effective ocean literacy in Europe. It introduced the logic of the online workshops organised as part of the event, from the introduction of the established ocean literacy communities to the many opportunities to contribute to the formation of collective initiatives at the European and sea-basin scales. Start date: 24/09/2020 - 09:30 Last update: 10/09/20 |