What is a European Blue School?
A Blue School is an educational institution - whether primary, secondary, or vocational (VET) - that integrates ocean literacy and sustainability into its teaching.
A European Blue School brings this vision to life by making the ocean part of everyday learning. It often begins with a small group of students and teachers who are curious about the ocean, eager to take action to protect it, and motivated to explore it through project-based learning.
These projects do not need to focus solely on science - they can also be connected to art, literature, or other subjects. What matters is creating meaningful experiences that connect students with their environment and inspire a sense of responsibility for the ocean and its ecosystems. Through this approach, schools spark curiosity about marine and maritime topics while strengthening awareness and a shared responsibility for our ocean.
How to Become a European Blue School? Any school within the EU can become a European Blue School. The process begins by developing and implementing a project that connects students with the ocean. Once the project is underway, the school can submit its application to be officially recognized.
Upon approval, the school receives a certificate and becomes part of the Network of European Blue Schools - a growing pan-European community dedicated to ocean literacy and sustainability.
The Network of European Blue Schools
All teachers and schools with a successful application become members of the Network of European Blue Schools. Their project descriptions, as submitted in their applications, are showcased on our website to inspire others.
By joining, schools gain the opportunity to connect with like-minded teachers from across the EU and beyond. Members receive a dedicated newsletter with updates on projects, training opportunities, funding, and other initiatives. They are also invited to take part in webinars and events—both to learn from others and to share and celebrate their own achievements.
The understanding of the ocean's influence on us - humans - and our influence on the ocean is known as Ocean Literacy.
The European Commission recognizes the urgent need to enhance the ocean literacy of European Citizens as a crucial element of the implementation of sustainable management of the ocean.
The EU4Ocean Coalition, with the support of DG MARE, brings together organizations, projects, and individuals committed to promoting ocean literacy across Europe. The Network of European Blue Schools is one of the three pillars of the Coalition, established as a hub for all schools and teachers that strive to engage students with oceanic topics and educate a new generation of ocean literate young citizens.
The concept of a European Blue School evolved from the marine education expertise gathered from consultations with teachers and educators across Europe. It acknowledges the variety of cultures and school communities from the 27 EU Member States and champions the concept of open schooling – encouraging the development of local partnerships to make the learning context relevant.
- Create a more ocean-literate society where schools become agents for change and sustainability
- Build bridges between ocean professionals and schools
- Set up a network where teachers can share experiences and collaborate with other schools, nationally and internationally
Help you pupils 'find the blue'
Teachers are the main actors who bring the concept of Blue Schools to life. Curricula, educational systems, and government requirements differ from member state to member state. The teachers, however, can bring the ocean to their classes by challenging the students to explore their connections to the ocean in classes of Biology, Physics, Chemistry, as well as Mathematics, History, Literature, Arts... The relationship of the ocean with humankind encompasses all areas of society.
Whether coastal or located inland, if your school carried out, is currently realising or is planning to develop a project connected to the ocean consider applying to the Network and become a European Blue School.
Become a European Blue School
European Blue Schools bring the ocean into the classroom. On the journey to becoming a European Blue School, teachers and pupils will improve their understanding of the ocean and develop a sense of responsibility towards our shared planet. Learn more on how to become a European Blue School and get on board!
Articles
- Theme
- EU4Ocean Coalition
- Network of Blue Schools
- Created on
- 29 October 2024
- Theme
- EU4Ocean Coalition
- EU4Ocean Platform
- Ocean Literacy
- Network of Blue Schools
- Youth for Ocean
- Created on
- 18 October 2024
- Theme
- Network of Blue Schools
- Created on
- 15 October 2024
Events
- Theme
- EU4Ocean Coalition
- EU4Ocean Platform
- Network of Blue Schools
- Youth for Ocean
- Theme
- EU4Ocean Coalition
- EU4Ocean Platform
- Network of Blue Schools
- Youth for Ocean
- Theme
- EU4Ocean Coalition
- Youth for Ocean
- EU4Ocean Platform
- Network of Blue Schools
- Ocean Literacy
A multitude of threats including climate change, overfishing and pollution is putting our ocean at risk, and changing course requires us to work together. As part of the EU4Ocean Coalition, the Make Europe Blue campaign is calling on you - citizens, businesses, organisations, authorities, celebrities, educators - to make a pledge to help the ocean. Your pledge is a personal promise or action that will keep our ocean healthy. Every action – even the smallest one - brings change to our ocean!
Check out the campaign page and get inspired by the pledges of journalists, educators, policy-makers, activists and organisations engaged in ocean protection.
About the EU4Ocean Coalition
The Network of European Blue Schools is part of the EU4Ocean Coalition, which connects diverse organisations, projects and people that contribute to ocean literacy and the sustainable management of the ocean. Supported by the European Commission, this bottom-up inclusive initiative aims at uniting the voices of Europeans to make the ocean a concern of everyone. In addition to the Network of European Blue Schools, the EU4Ocean Coalition includes the Youth4Ocean Forum and the EU4Ocean Platform.