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 at Ocean Week Celebrating World Ocean Day with EU4Ocean |
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The Challenge of the Year of the EU4Ocean Coalition Strengthening skills in ocean literacy |
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Call for Collective Action on the Challenge of the Year Submit your project contributing to strengthening skills in ocean literacy |
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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. |
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European Year of Skills - Reach out to stakeholders On 7 March 2023, the co-legislators reached political agreement on the European Year of Skills. The Decision will be adopted in May. By promoting ongoing work on skills development, the Year will provide a unique opportunity to push for a skills revolution in Europe, a push to normalise the upskilling and reskilling of all working-age. Start date: 09/05/2023 (All day) Last update: 20/04/23 |
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MakeEUBlue Awards 2023: Winners Celebrating progress in ocean literacy in Europe. Start date: 05/04/2023 - 09:00 Last update: 11/04/23 |
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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 |
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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. |
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Blue School conference for teachers in The Netherlands The Network of EU Blue Schools and the municipality of Den Helder are pleased to invite teachers from the Netherlands to participate in this conference. |
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Hack4Oceans II Challenge - New sustainable foods and resources How might we integrate a holistic approach of environmental and socioeconomic impacts of food, aiming at changing consumers’ eating behaviour (eat local seafood, eat bivalves and algae)? How create incentives and accelerate a fair transition of fishers and seafood producers, to achieve lower impact and lower scale of seafood production? ... |
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