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Why the EU4Ocean Coalition for Ocean Literacy?

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:

  • Contribute to enhancing awareness and the engagement of all parties involved in the sustainable management of our ocean and seas;
  • Help coalition members to become ocean advocates in their own field/role/region as well as agents of transition supporting changes in perception, values, attitudes and behaviour towards more sustainable practices, management of the ocean and blue economy opportunities;
  • Put ocean literacy high on the policy agenda, contributing inter alias to the implementation of the EU marine and maritime policies and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the Agenda 2030, in particular the SDG 14 Life below water.

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.

 

 

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Make Europe Blue Campaign

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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Let’s make Europe Blue: The EU4Ocean for Ocean Literacy Summit

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.

 

 

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Winners of the #YoungOceanWaves Video & Photo Contest

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.

 

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EU4Ocean Platform

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.

 

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Youth4Ocean Forum

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

 

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Network of European Blue Schools

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.

 

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About the project

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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Join the wave and spread the word!

You want to learn more about the activities of the EU4Ocean Coalition and its members? Check out the hashtag #EU4Ocean on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter.

Join the wave and tag your posts with #EU4Ocean!

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EU4Ocean at Ocean Week

Celebrating World Ocean Day with EU4Ocean

Last update: 30/05/23

The Challenge of the Year of the EU4Ocean Coalition

Strengthening skills in ocean literacy

Last update: 22/05/23

Call for Collective Action on the Challenge of the Year

Submit your project contributing to strengthening skills in ocean literacy

Last update: 22/05/23

FINS INTO THE WATER OCEAN LITERACY INTO PRACTICE

"Fins into the water - Ocean Literacy into practice" is an outreach and education initiative aimed at the diving sector. This work has been finalized during the year 2022 and intercepted different contexts of the Italian peninsula. The most valuable contribution has been obtained thanks to the joint effort with the Tavolara Diving center staff who actively contributed to the finalization of a bottom-up initiative which has been considered valuable for the upcoming restoration initiatives to be held in the framework of the "EU Mission Restore Our Ocean and Waters" mission. The tangible outcome of this field-based research contribution has been shared on the occasion of the Brussels Maritime Forum held in Belgium in February 2023.

Last update: 03/05/23

MakeEUBlue Awards 2023: Winners

Celebrating progress in ocean literacy in Europe.

Start date: 05/04/2023 - 09:00
Last update: 11/04/23

DEEP DIVE INTO MARINE CONSERVATION: JOIN THE NAUTILOS SUMMER SCHOOL ON MARINE LITTER

Nautilos Summer School is a four-day course designed for early career scientists and marine technicians who are interested in the blue economy and open data sharing. The main goal of the course is to improve professional skills and competences related to marine litter.

Start date: 04/09/2023 - 01:00
Last update: 04/04/23

INVITATION NAUTILOS POLICY TABLE – SUPPORTING OCEAN OBSERVATIONS

The Nautilos project is excited to invite you and your colleagues to our upcoming policy round table on Tuesday, June 27th, from 09:15-13:00 CEST at Magazzini dell’Abbondanza, Via del Molo, 65r, 16128 Genova GE.

Last update: 31/03/23

Advanced Master in Sustainable Blue Economy Advanced Master in Sustainable Blue Economy

The Advanced Master in Sustainable Blue Economy, co-organized by the University of Trieste and the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, is a unique opportunity to boost your career in the marine and maritime sectors!

Last update: 20/10/22

The past, present and future of an integrated Mediterranean

With this episode, we are reaching our final destination in this season. Where can we go from here? What future beholds the Mediterranean Sea and the Mediterranean community. Set sails with us and listen to Blanca Moreno-Dodson on regional political integration and how it contributes to #MakeMedblue.

Last update: 12/10/22

It’s your sea, keep it clean! On a mission with SWIM LEBANON

How can you turn a difficult life experience into one nation-wide initiative? What keeps activists going despite life’s many hardships? Listen to the inspiring stories of Lisa Sofian and Nabil Aouad in this new episode!

Last update: 06/10/22

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