The European Ocean Coalition (EU4Ocean), supported by the European Commission, announces the start of applications for its annual “MakeEUBlue” Awards recognizing innovative and outstanding initiatives in the field of ocean literacy. The winners will be announced at the European Maritime Day, which this year takes place on 30-31 May in Svendborg, Denmark.
Deadline: 09 February 2024
EU4Ocean is looking for ocean literacy initiatives (completed or ongoing) that have:
- Social learning and development of critical thinking as a central objective
- High sustainability and replication potential
- An EU focus with clear societal and policy relevance
- A strong collective dimension and a catalytic role
- An innovative character
- A scientific quality and coherence supporting mutual learning
The winners of the “MakeEUBlue” Awards will be selected based on a preliminary public voting; further screening and selection by the competition jury.
There will be three general awards (navy blue, classic blue, and sky blue, recognizing the first, second, and third best initiatives responding to the EU4Ocean coalition principles, respectively). These will be complemented by four “Special Mentions”: Best Professional Organization initiative; Best Youth initiative; Best Blue Education initiative, and Best Individual Blue School.
The winners will benefit from multiple prizes, including an official award certificate, a hand-made ocean-themed trophy, and a financial reward.
Priority will be given to the members of the different EU4Ocean communities (the EU4Ocean platform, the Youth4Ocean Forum and the EU network of Blue Schools) or initiatives where at least one individual or organisation is registered or applied to be a member of one of these communities.
If you are a changemaker between 16 and 30 years old and passionate about Ocean, you can apply for the Youth4Ocean Forum. If you are over 30 years old and you want to become involved in the Youth4Ocean Forum as the EU Young Ocean Advocate mentor, you can apply for EU4Ocean Platform membership. This may increase your chances of winning the award.
Additional information and the application form can be found here.