The Network of European Blue Schools
A blue school is an educational institution - whether kindergarten, primary, secondary, or vocational - 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 in educational institutions based in the European Union. 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.
How to Become a European Blue School? Any school, including VET, within the EU can become a European Blue School. The process begins by developing and implementing a project that connects students with the ocean or water resources. Once the project is underway, the school can submit its application to be officially recognised. Apply here
Upon approval, the school receives a certificate and becomes part of the Network of European Blue Schools (NEBS) - a growing pan-European community dedicated to ocean literacy and sustainability. Discover European Blue Schools.
Why join the NEBS?
Joining NEBS connects your school to a pan-European community of over 1 000 schools, unlocking recognition, resources, and partnerships that support and amplify your ocean literacy work.
- Recognition and visibility — Get formal recognition and earn the European Blue School Certificate, gain visibility on the Maritime Forum website, and showcase your school’s engagement at events.
- Professional development — Access exclusive training, resources, and best-practice case studies on ocean literacy, the blue economy, and blue career pathways.
- Partnerships and collaboration — Connect with sister EU4Ocean communities Partners4Ocean and Youth4Ocean, share experiences and gain inspiration from teachers and students across Europe through the NEBS ESEP group.
- Influence and impact — Help shape the Network's future, contribute to the European Ocean Pact goals, and link up with the Blue Schools Global Network lead by IOC of UNESCO.
How to become a European Blue School?
Any school can become a European Blue School:
- public or private, coastal or inland
- every education level, from kindergarten, primary, middle, and high schools to VET schools (link to VET schools)
As long as the school has carried out, or is currently carrying out, a project connected to the ocean or water resources – a blue project
To be recognised:
- your project must align with the European Blue Schools criteria,
- you will need to submit an application during one of our two yearly windows: mid-September to 15 December, or mid-January to 15 July.
If successful, you'll be recognised as a European Blue School and granted membership in the Network of European Blue Schools, with access to exclusive benefits.
Vocational Education and Training is also part of NEBS
NEBS welcomes Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers that want to contribute to ocean sustainability through impactful educational projects. It is not necessary to offer programmes directly related to the sea to become part of the network: any VET provider can develop a blue project tailored to its vocational field, showing how ocean literacy and the sustainable blue economy can be integrated into different learning pathways.
Articles
- Theme
- Network of Blue Schools
- EU4Ocean Coalition
- Created on
- 23 September 2026
- Theme
- EU4Ocean Coalition
- EU4Ocean Platform
- Youth for Ocean
- Network of Blue Schools
- Ocean Literacy and Blue Skills
- Ocean Literacy
- Created on
- 25 August 2026
- Theme
- EU4Ocean Coalition
- Network of Blue Schools
- Created on
- 1 July 2026
Events
- Theme
- Network of Blue Schools
- EU4Ocean Coalition
- Theme
- EU4Ocean Coalition
- Network of Blue Schools
- European Atlas of the Seas
- Theme
- EU4Ocean Coalition
- EU4Ocean Platform
- Youth for Ocean
- Network of Blue Schools
About the EU4Ocean Coalition
The EU4Ocean Coalition brings together people advancing ocean literacy and working for a sustainable blue economy. It consists of three interconnected communities: EU4Ocean Platform bringing together organisations, blue economy actors and civil society to promote ocean literacy across the EU, Youth4Ocean Forum for young people and early-career professionals, aged 16 to 30 and based in the EU, who care about the ocean and Network of European Blue Schools, supporting ocean education in schools and training institutes across the EU.
