The European Union's strategy "Restore our Ocean and Waters," aims to protect and restore the health of our oceans through research, innovation, citizen engagement, and blue investments. Similarly, the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 seeks to ensure a healthy and resilient ocean for future generations. Both strategies recognise the necessity to involve young people in ocean conservation and restoration efforts. The many challenges the ocean is facing require the involvement of everyone, and especially of the new generation to be reach their potential to positively impact the ocean health as soon as possible.
The Citizen of the Ocean Youth-led Forum seeks to empower young people aged 18-30 with leadership and advocacy skills to address critical ocean-related issues such as the UN Ocean Decade Challenges, and in particular: Change humanity’s relationship with the ocean; Protect and restore marine ecosystems and biodiversity; Unlock ocean-based solutions to climate change; Understand and beat marine pollution from source to sea; Develop a sustainable and equitable ocean economy. By enhancing ocean literacy and fostering active participation in global policy discussions, the project aims to develop informed, proactive youth leaders capable of influencing global ocean action, ocean governance and climate policies on local, national and international levels.
The Forum consists of 3 phases: 1) 5 series of workshops hosted online on 6 continents and assembling over 175 young people; 2) The Ocean Citizen Summit hosted by Nausicaa marine science centre and aquarium in Boulogne sur Mer, France, in March 2025 and youth advocacy interventions at the UNOC3 in Nice, June 2025, and the COPs of the UNFCCC and CBD.
- Name of organisation
- Nausicaa, Centre National de la Mer
- Type of organisation
- Other
- Other type of organisation
- Société anonyme d'économie mixte
- Type of action proposed
- Citizen engagement, citizens-science, youth-led initiatives, communities of practice, ocean and water literacy, outreach, awareness raising and participatory approaches
- The action contributes to the following objective or enabler
- Protect and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversityPrevent and eliminate pollution of our ocean, seas and watersPublic mobilisation and engagement
- List of Partners
Youth4Ocean Forum, Youth Environment Europe, World Ocean Network (Belgiem), Amity University (India), CeDePesca (Argentina), Bénévoles des Océans du Cameroun, Coral Wall Diving and Research Centre (Sri Lanka), Early Career Ocean Professional (ECOP) Network, EU4Ocean Platform, EurOcean, International Ocean Institute, Mobius Foundation (India), Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium (USA), TERRE Policy Centre (India), National Marine Foundation (India), The Pacific Island Forum (Fiji), Save the Children (New Zealand), Towards IPOS (France), Wildtrust (South Africa), WOMESA Kenya, WWF New Zealand, Youth4MPAs Network, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, Planeta Oceano, and Youth Climate Council Costa Rica.
- Start date of the action
- End date of the action
- Budget allocated for the action
- 186400
- Basin coverage
- Cross-basin
- Website link
- iwona.gin@nausicaa.fr
- Country
- ArgentinaAustraliaBrazilCameroonCosta RicaFijiIndiaKenyaNew ZealandSouth AfricaSri LankaUnited KingdomUnited States
- Other country
- European Union