Onewater

Onewater is committed to bridging science-policy gaps in water and ocean science through better communication and engagement with the public at a global scale. Our mission is to bridge gaps and facilitate dialogue among communities, researchers, development agencies, and policymakers to address global and local environmental challenges.
Knowledge gaps are particularly evident in water and environmental issues at large. Approximately 98% of academic articles are published in English using technical language.
At the core of our mission is the belief that knowledge must be accessible to all to drive systemic change. We foster genuine interest rather than mere awareness. This aligns with the objectives stated in the mission charter, specifically its enablers like the digital ocean and water knowledge system, as well as public mobilization and engagement.
Our actions /Our efforts:
1) Onewater Hub:
Through this digital platform revolutionize global knowledge sharing on water and ocean-related issues.
Objectives: Build a comprehensive Knowledge Hub with diverse content types, ensuring accessibility through clear language and free access, fostering storytelling to highlight personal experiences, offering educational workshops, and translating content into multiple languages including all EU languages.
Impact: Empower and facilitate collaboration among experts, practitioners, and the public to effectively address water and marine challenges and work towards knowledge accessibility and transparency to effectively manage and protect our waters and oceans by 2030, which will contribute to achieving the Mission objectives.
2) SOS Somos OceanoS 2030 – endorsed by UN Ocean Decade:
Combines accessible science communication and community engagement to foster inclusive management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
Objectives: Conducting Paper Park Assessments, which involve a thorough analysis of MPA’s protection status and producing community-oriented documentaries to amplify the voices of those directly impacted by ineffective natural resources management.
Impact: Inspire action and discussions on conservation to enhance the inclusion of local communities in environmental decision-making processes. This approach will contribute to achieving the Mission's protection objectives and targets by 2030, ensuring equity.
3) Arteries.blue
It is dedicated to bridging science-policy-community gaps through data-driven storytelling. By combining interactive data, graphics, animations, academic articles and photojournalism, it presents complex information in an engaging, accessible format, telling river stories about climate change, people, nature and economies.
Objectives: Promote transparency and sustainable management of ocean and freshwater resources through the integration of science, policy, and public engagement in an accessible format.
Impact: Foster a more informed and active community supportive of water-related environmental policies by utilizing multimedia and interactive content. This aligns with the ultimate objective of the EU Missions to protect-restore ecosystems per the EU Biodiversity Strategy.
4) Community engagement, Literacy and Outreach:
We run photo contests together with UNESCO, exhibitions, conferences like the Alpine Rivers Symposium, social/experts mixers and literacy challenges (“Letters to the Sea”). We connect people with water and oceans to help them better understand, value and conserve our life's foundation.