The ocean is a source of life for human beings. It gives us food, oxygen and energy. It is home to many species and acts as climate regulator. Understanding how we influence the ocean and how the ocean influences us is at the core of ocean literacy. This understanding allows us to make responsible choices to better protect our ocean and to use the opportunities it offers in a sustainable manner. Thereby, contributing to the improvement of the well-being of people, as envisioned in the European Green Deal.
The European Ocean Coalition (EU4Ocean) 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!
JPI Oceans is active in EU4Ocean as a subcontractor and is playing a key role in facilitating the mobilisation its funded research projects to support the coalition in terms of memberships, events, advocacy and communication campaigns.
- Contributes to enhancing awareness and the engagement of all parties involved in the sustainable management of our ocean and seas;
- Helps members become ocean advocates in their own field/role/region and act as agents of transition, supporting changes in perception, values, attitudes, and behavior towards more sustainable practices and management of the ocean. It also promotes blue economy opportunities;
Puts ocean literacy high on the policy agenda, contributing inter alia to the implementation of the EU marine and maritime policies and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the Agenda 2030, particularly SDG 14, Life Below Water.
The EU4Ocean coalition combines EU-wide activities with actions dedicated to the Arctic Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean (including the North Sea), the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the global ocean. It consists of three components: a platform for organizations and individuals engaged in Ocean Literacy initiatives, a European Youth Forum for the Ocean, and a Network of European Blue Schools.
Each year, awards are given to outstanding active individuals, organizations, and initiatives from the three networks.
Follow #EU4Ocean to stay informed and join our EU4Ocean online community!
ACTeon Environment (France) is the coordinator of EU4Ocean.
The other partners are:
- Seascape Belgium (Secretariat of the European Marine Observation and Data Network – EMODnet, and the European Atlas of the Seas)
- Youth and Environment Europe (YEE)
- the European Marine Science Educator Association (EMSEA)
- the National Sea Centre And Aquarium Nausicaá (NAUSICAA)
- Ciência Viva
- REVOLVE
- Farah Yasmin Obaidullah (the Netherlands, freelance campaigner, founder & director of Women4Oceans).
The new consortium is bringing networks upfront for managing the three communities (platform, youth, schools), and is strengthening its communication capacities. The coalition will bring ocean literacy to networks and organisations beyond the current community members, and go beyond EU borders.