MARE project wins EU4Ocean Challenge of the Year 2024

The SPLASH-EU project, led by MARE researcher Zara Teixeira, was one of the big winners of the EU4Ocean Challenge of the Year 2024, a European coalition dedicated to the protection and sustainability of the oceans. This year's theme, ‘Be a Blue Citizen: Ocean, Citizenship and Democracy’, saw a strong turnout of initiatives aimed at promoting active citizenship in defence of the seas and oceans.  

Among the various proposals submitted, MARE and MindmeUP LP saw their innovative project recognised by EU4Ocean for its unique approach to involving the community in civic actions for the ocean. The SPLASH-EU project was awarded financial support of 40,000 euros, which will be used to implement actions to empower and mobilise citizens across Europe, with the aim of strengthening the link between democracy and marine conservation.

SPLASH-EU: A Platform for a More Blue and Sustainable Ocean
SPLASH-EU - ‘SuPporting a civic community of Advocacy for a healthy ocean Habitat in Europe’ - aims to reduce the gap between civic engagement and marine conservation. The central idea of the project is to create a network of ocean advocates, who will be empowered through events, educational programmes and the training of ambassadors who can act as multipliers of knowledge about ocean health.

The project will begin in the regions of Coimbra, Portugal, and Thessaloniki, Greece, with the construction of a scalable digital platform that will enable collective action in favour of ocean sustainability, allowing citizens of different ages and backgrounds to engage in the cause. The platform will be accessible in multiple languages, with the aim of progressively expanding to other European Union countries.

With this financial support, SPLASH-EU has the chance to become a key driver for civic mobilisation around ocean sustainability, ensuring that future generations can count on a healthier and more protected ocean.