The European Ocean Coalition (EU4Ocean)
The European Ocean Coalition (EU4Ocean) connects diverse organisations, projects, and individuals that contribute to ocean literacy and the sustainable management of the ocean. Supported by the European Commission, this bottom-up and inclusive initiative aims to unite the voices of Europeans and make the ocean a concern for everyone!
The Coalition is made up of three components:
- The Partners4Ocean Platform, a hub for organisations and individuals engaged in ocean literacy;
- The Youth4Ocean Forum, empowering young ocean advocates across Europe;
- The Network of European Blue Schools, linking teachers and students to the ocean.
EurOcean’s Role
EurOcean is one of the EU4Ocean Platform founding members and has been involved in EU4Ocean since its launch.
1. EU4Ocean I
From 2020 to 2022, EurOcean was part of the consortium chosen by DG MARE for implementing EU4Ocean. EurOcean’s role was to support the communication activities of the project and to enhance connections across Europe through its network.
2. EU4Ocean II
The second phase of the EU4Ocean Coalition kicked off in January 2023, following an invitation to tender launched by CINEA in September 2022. In this second phase, EurOcean committed to supporting EU4Ocean by bringing Ocean Literacy to the private sector and policymakers through three specific activities:
- Regular Engaging Activities – promoting dialogue and awareness;
- Cooperative Competitions – encouraging collaboration through creative and educational initiatives;
- Business Engagement Activities – fostering links between ocean literacy and economic sectors.
#EU4Ocean Webinar Series
As part of EurOcean's commitment to Business Engagement Activities, a monthly #EU4Ocean Webinar Series was organised, bringing together experts, industry representatives and stakeholders to discuss how ocean literacy could support various European business sectors.
Across its ten episodes, the series explored a diverse range of topics, highlighting the important role of ocean literacy in shaping a more sustainable economy in Europe.
Watch here all the past #EU4Ocean Webinar Series.
Find the major outcomes of the webinars:
- Episode 1 – CSR Practices
- Episode 2 – Aquafood Industry
- Episode 3 – Blue Biotechnology
- Episode 4 – Technology, Data and Digital Solutions
- Episode 5 – Sports, Recreational and Nautical Industries
- Episode 6 – Blue Innovation
- Episode 7 – Renewable Energy Industry
- Episode 8 – Tourism Industry
- Episode 9 – Blue Carbon
Joint EU4Ocean Event
On 20 May 2025, EurOcean co-organised the event “Ocean Knowledge to Drive Coastal Business Success” in Cobh, Ireland, together with other EU4Ocean Coalition members, as part of the European Maritime Day 2025 – In My Country celebrations. The event brought together marine experts, business representatives, students, and policymakers to explore how ocean knowledge can drive innovation and sustainability in coastal enterprises.
Read more about the outcome of the event: here.
3. EU4Ocean III
Now in its third phase (2026–2028), EU4Ocean continues to strengthen Europe's ocean literacy community by fostering knowledge exchange, partnerships and opportunities for engagement.
In this phase EurOcean is contributing to the development and engagement of the EU4Ocean Platform. Its activities include:
- Supporting the Partners4Ocean Community through Thematic Networking Groups (TNGs), facilitating knowledge exchange and collaboration around topics such as ocean education, plastic pollution, marine habitat restoration and blue skills.
- Developing EU4Ocean Internship Connect, a programme connecting young people from the Youth4Ocean Forum with organisations in the Partners4Ocean Community, creating opportunities for paid internships and professional development in the ocean sector.