- Created on
- 10 September 2025
Join the #MakeEUBlue Movement in Oostende
On Saturday, 20 September 2025, our community will come together in Oostende, Belgium, for a beach clean-up with a purpose. It’s World Cleanup Day, and our local action will be part of something much bigger.
This clean-up is a proud part of the #MakeEUBlue campaign, an EU-wide movement uniting communities to protect our ocean. #MakeEUBlue is all about stronger ocean action: it rallies citizens across Europe to push for cleaner waters, less pollution, and healthier marine life.
At the heart of the campaign is a petition urging leaders at all levels to step up for our blue planet. When you join this event, you’re not only helping tidy up Oostende’s beautiful shore – you’re joining a Europe-wide call for a cleaner, healthier ocean.
🌍 Why Are We Making EU Blue?
Plastic pollution and marine litter are threatening beaches and ocean life everywhere. If we don’t change our habits, up to 37 million tonnes of plastic could enter our ocean every year by 2040.
For a coastal city like Oostende, this isn’t just a statistic – it’s our reality. #MakeEUBlue shows that every community, whether coastal or inland, has a direct impact on our waters through daily actions. What we throw away, how we dispose of rubbish, and what we flush eventually affect the North Sea and beyond.
By joining this clean-up, we’re tackling pollution on our own beach and sending a message that Oostende cares about the ocean’s future. The campaign’s motto says it best: “the ocean starts in your city” – our local efforts ripple outward to benefit the entire ocean.
Let’s show that Oostende is leading by example, turning the tide on plastic waste and making our corner of Europe blue and beautiful.
📅 Event Details
- Date: Saturday, 20 September 2025 (World Cleanup Day)
- Time: Morning – 9:30-12:00
- Location: Oostende beachfront, meeting point at the beach cabin of Proper Strand Lopers, west of the western pier, in front of Zeeheldenplein
(10 minutes’ walk from Oostende train station) - What to Bring: Cleaning materials (gloves, bags, safety vests) will be provided. Wear comfortable clothes, bring a reusable water bottle, and don’t forget sunscreen – and a smile!
This event is family-friendly and open to everyone. Whether you’re a lifelong Ostendenaar or living somewhere else in Belgium, you’re warmly invited.
Local organisers and volunteers will be there to guide the clean-up and share more about the #MakeEUBlue campaign. You’ll also meet like-minded neighbours and pick up simple tips on reducing plastic waste in daily life.
🙌 How You Can Get Involved
1. Join the Clean-up
Come along on 20 September, ready to make a difference. Bring your friends, family, and enthusiasm to help remove litter from Oostende’s beach. Even a couple of hours of your time will keep our shoreline safe for people and wildlife. No experience needed – just a willingness to get your hands a bit sandy!
Registration Link: EUSurvey - Survey
2. Sign the #MakeEUBlue Petition
Back up your action with long-term impact. Sign the petition on the #MakeEUBlue webpage to call on city officials to commit to stronger ocean protection. It only takes a minute, but your voice helps drive efforts for cleaner waters, improved waste management, and sustainable policies.
3. Spread the Word
Share the campaign on social media using #MakeEUBlue. Invite your friends, neighbours, and colleagues. The more of us involved, the bigger our wave of change. You can even challenge a friend in another city – after all, every community can help make the ocean blue!
💙 Let’s Make Oostende and Europe Blue, Together
By volunteering your time, you’ll:
- Clean our local beach
- Protect marine wildlife from harm
- Show pride in your community
- Help turn one day of action into lasting change
Our goal isn’t just a one-off clean beach – it’s a future with healthy oceans, less plastic, and coastlines we can enjoy for generations.
We look forward to seeing you on the sand for a day of positive action. Let’s have fun, make new friends, and turn the tide on pollution.
Registration Link: EUSurvey - Survey
Sign the petition: MakeEUBlue.
Together, we can make Oostende – and Europe – blue. 🌊
Privacy Notice
By registering for this event, you agree that photos and videos may be taken during the clean-up for the purpose of promoting the #EUBeachCleanup and #MakeEUBlue campaigns. These may be published on the EU Maritime Forum website and related social media channels.
If you prefer not to appear in photos or recordings, please inform the organisers at the registration desk upon arrival. We will do our best to respect your choice.
All personal data will be processed in line with applicable data protection rules, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).