From 25 to 28 March 2025, Boulogne-sur-Mer welcomed 60–80 young ocean advocates from across the globe for the Citizen of the Ocean Youth-led Summit, hosted at Nausicaá Centre National de la Mer. The event served as the first pilot activity of the YOLA project, transforming the coastal city into a hub of youth-led dialogue, training and collaboration on ocean action.
Bringing together participants aged 18–30 from Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, the four-day programme focused on equipping the next generation with the skills and tools needed to influence ocean and climate decision-making.
From ocean discovery to advocacy skills
The summit opened with guided visits of Nausicaá and the local marine environment, grounding participants in the realities of ocean literacy and public engagement. The official opening session then set the global context, highlighting the role of youth in ocean governance and the challenges of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
Work quickly shifted from discussion to action. Through parallel workshops, participants explored how advocacy works in practice, examining power structures, decision-making processes and the pathways through which citizens can influence policy.
Learning to communicate the ocean
Midweek sessions focused on transforming knowledge into action. Participants were trained in research, evidence gathering and campaign design, learning how to turn scientific information into compelling stories and messages. Workshops on strategic communication and public speaking helped them develop the confidence to engage audiences, media and policymakers.
The summit also placed strong emphasis on collaboration. Young participants worked in international groups to co-write the Citizen of the Ocean Youth Manifesto, identifying shared priorities and calls to action for stronger ocean protection.
From training to real-world practice
The final days shifted toward practical application. Workshops on networking, coalition building and media engagement included simulated interviews and press writing exercises. During the Voices of the Ocean session, participants pitched their ideas and initiatives, connecting with the local youth community and testing their advocacy skills in a real-world setting.
The summit concluded with a panel discussion bringing together youth representatives and international experts, followed by the presentation of the Youth Manifesto to invited stakeholders and local decision-makers.
Concrete outcomes and next steps
The Boulogne-sur-Mer pilot produced tangible results. Participants developed youth advocacy action plans, strengthened an international network of young ocean leaders and left equipped with new skills to drive change in their communities.
As the first YOLA pilot activity, the summit demonstrated the growing role of youth in shaping the future of ocean governance — and marked an important step in empowering a new generation of ocean advocates.
Project partners:Nausicaá (Project Coordinator), Ghent University – MarineTraining & EMBRC, Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IOPAN), Today We Have and EurOcean.
Learn more about YOLA here.