European Maritime Day In My Country

Join the European Maritime Day In My Country! Register your event here!
Deadline for application is 10 March 2025.

Events for the European Maritime Day In My Country 2025 will take place all over Europe from 1 April until 31 October 2025. 

Background

European Maritime Day In My Country events aim to raise awareness about the importance of the oceans and seas and to engage the public, particularly young people.  

The objective is for people to realise that activities at sea (coastal tourism, fishing, sailing, shipping, offshore renewable energy, aquaculture etc.) are key for the EU’s citizens and economies. The EU has 68,000 km of coastline and about one third of the EU population lives within 50 km of the coast.

The European Maritime Day in My Country events are the public side of the European Maritime Day, the annual two-day event organised by the European Commission during which the Europe’s maritime community is invited to network, discuss and outline action on maritime affairs. 

Since the first edition in 2018, the number of European Maritime Day in My Country events has increased significantly, with a wide range of activities such as beach clean-ups, guided tours, art exhibitions, workshops, and conferences.  

In 2024, 531 events were organised in 27 countries, both in the EU and outside the EU.

Why organise a European Maritime Day In My Country event?

It is an opportunity to give visibility to your actions related to the ocean and maritime activities, to share your ideas and debate solutions with the public, especially the younger generation:

• Receive promotional materials to distribute among your event participants
• Get featured on our EMD Conference website (https://maritime-day.ec.europa.eu/index_en)
• Be part of a Europe-wide campaign promoting ocean conservation and sustainable blue economy practices

What kind of events can be organised?

Any event related to the theme of the sea can be organised. For example, it can be 

• Conferences, seminars
• Workshops, living labs
• Information activities on maritime issues (blue economy, coastal communities, offshore renewable energy, aquaculture, maritime skills or maritime research projects, sustainable coastal tourism, sustainable marine waste management, sustainable ports etc)
• Information activities on ocean literacy
• Environmental actions
• Guided tours of cities and ports
• Eco-tours and walks in areas with significant maritime heritage (cultural, environmental)
• Excursions by boat
• Exhibitions on maritime themes
• Visits to maritime museums or former ships, shipyards, port facilities
• Beach-cleaning initiatives
• Sailing/surfing/kite surfing lessons for children, sailing awareness campaigns
• Reading clubs, art contests, art exhibitions, photo competitions, dance performances, street shows, urban games, stand-up performances, theatrical plays, concerts – as long as the sea is the main theme
• Education and artistic activities for school children
• University or school projects with a maritime theme
• Marine camps for teenagers
• Any other activity for the public with the sea as a central theme.

Events can be one site, virtual or hybrid. 

Who can organise an event?

Anyone can organise a European Maritime Day in My Country event, and it can target any audience as long as the activity clearly highlights the importance of the ocean and maritime issues.  

Event can be organised by educational institutions, public bodies, energy agencies, trade or industry organisations, businesses, NGOs, EU project partners, associations or networks, or citizens.

When and where should the event take place?

The event should take place from 1 April to 31 October 2025, in the EU or outside the EU. 

Events can be one site, virtual or hybrid.

How will your event be promoted?

By registering your event, it will be prominently featured on the European Maritime Day website through an interactive map. 

Event organisers will also receive a communication package (visuals and social media material) to help them disseminate their event(s), as well as a certificate of participation from the European Commission. 

If you are a regular European Maritime Day In My Country event organiser who has participated in past editions, we advise you to use the newly available materials and discard any from previous editions. 

Please note that the branded materials come with guidelines that must be followed. Misuse of the elements provided may be considered fraudulent, leading to a review of your event by the European Commission and its possible removal from the list of events.

Is there financial support for the event?

No. But you will receive a set of promotional material, including sustainable branded cotton bags (according to the number of participants) and a European flag!

How to apply to have a European Maritime Day in My Country event?

You can apply by completing the online registration form. The information provided in the form should be in English, even if the event will be conducted in another language. 

You may apply to organise more than one European Maritime Day in My Country event. If your event takes place in different locations, you can add them in the form. This will help people locate your events on the interactive map.

What is the deadline for applying?

The deadline to apply is 20 March 2025. 

Past events

Related links

Promotional material and visual identity