About
The European Ocean Coalition (EU4Ocean) brings together diverse organisations, projects, and individuals dedicated to promoting ocean literacy and sustainable ocean management.
The ocean sustains life by providing food, oxygen, and energy, regulating the climate, and supporting countless species.
Understanding how we influence the ocean and how the ocean influences us is at the core of ocean literacy.
This knowledge empowers responsible choices to protect the ocean and use its resources sustainably, aligning with the goals of the European Green Deal to enhance well-being across Europe. EU4Ocean integrates EU-wide activities with actions focused on the Arctic, Atlantic (including the North Sea), Baltic, Black, and Mediterranean Seas, as well as the global ocean. Supported by the European Commission, this inclusive, bottom-up initiative unites Europeans to make the ocean everyone’s concern.
At the heart of EU4Ocean is the annual Challenge of the Year, which drives key initiatives like the Call for Collective Action, #MakeEUBlue Awards, and campaigns for young advocates and Blue Schools. By offering funding and expert support, the Coalition fosters innovation and collaboration, bringing impactful ideas to life.
The EU4Ocean Coalition is made up of three components
EU4Ocean platformfor organisations and individuals engaged in ocean literacy initiatives
Youth4Oceanfor young ocean advocates aged between 16 and 30
Network of Euroepan Blue Schoolsfor schools, teachers and staff of education services from all subjects
Challenge of the yearThe EU4Ocean coalition annually selects a Challenge of the Year to promote Ocean Literacy in the EU. This challenge is accompanied by a Call for collective action, offering financial support to selected proposals meeting specified criteria.
MakeEUBlue AwardsCelebrating progress in ocean literacy, these awards highlight initiatives fostering awareness about the importance of the ocean and promoting sustainable practices. Each year the winners are selected by public voting and by a high-esteemed Advisory Board of experts.
Knowledge Tides: Ocean Literacy BriefsWelcome to a transformative journey of discovery with the Ocean Literacy Brief Series, an initiative proudly launched by the EU4Ocean Coalition. Supported by the European Commission, this series is a dynamic endeavour to fortify ocean literacy throughout Europe and beyond.
EU4Ocean is a project funded by the European Commission and implemented by a consortium of 13 partners across Europe, which includes: ACTeon (coordinator, France), Seascape Belgium (Secretariat of the European Marine Observation and Data Network and the European Atlas of the Seas, Belgium), Nausicaá-National Sea Centre (France), Ciência Viva (Portugal), the European Marine Science Educators Association (EMSEA, Belgium), the European Centre for Information on Marine Science and Technology (EurOcean, Portugal), European Schoolnet (Belgium), Youth and Environment Europe (YEE, Czechia), REVOLVE (Belgium), JPI Oceans (Belgium), EuroGOOS (Belgium), European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA, The Netherlands), Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA, Belgium).
