European Marine Science Educators Association

02/09/2026

⏰🌊 18 Days Left! Apply for the Final BlueLightS Funding Call!

Time is running out! ⚠️ If you want to bring Ocean and Water Literacy to life in your school, you have just 18 days to apply for the final BlueLightS funding call! 🚀

The 3rd Funding Call supports creative, hands-on school projects that engage students and create real-world impact 💚✨.

Explore topics like:
🔹 Marine and freshwater biodiversity 🐟🌿
🔹 Pollution and microplastics 🌊♻️
🔹 Climate change and water systems 🌡️💧
🔹 Sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, or energy 🐠⚡
🔹 Active citizenship and awareness campaigns 🤝📢

The possibilities are endless! 🎨

From citizen science and fieldwork to art, storytelling, and digital projects — what matters is engaging your students and connecting learning to real-world challenges 📚🌍.

Projects run for just 2-3 months, making them easy to fit into your school calendar and curriculum 📅✨.

Don't miss this opportunity! 💙

📅 Deadline to apply: 18 September 2026
🔗 Learn more and apply: https://blue-lights.eu/grants-for-schools/

Turn your classroom into a space for impact — apply today! 🌱🙌



BlueLights Project ▪ ACTeon Environment ▪ Sea Teach ▪ Sveučilište u Zadru ▪ Suomen ympäristökeskus - Syke ▪ Office français de la biodiversité ▪ IDEC S.A. ▪
European Schoolnet

31/08/2026

🏆 For the third consecutive year, the EMSEA Annual Conference has been officially endorsed as a Decade Activity under the UN Ocean Decade for Sustainable Development 🌊

This prestigious recognition reflects the importance and strength of EMSEA conferences as the go-to annual meeting place for the community in Europe and beyond 💙.

is more than just a conference — it's a catalyst for achieving global goals for ocean sustainability 🌊. Through innovation, collaboration, and advocacy, we're building a more ocean-literate Europe and creating lasting impact 🚀.

This endorsement is also a heartfelt recognition of our valuable partnerships with Institut de Ciències del Mar - CSIC, SUBMON, Plàncton, Divulgació i Serveis Marins 🤝 — partners who are essential to making the 2026 conference a success 💪. With support from grant CEX2024-001494-S funded by AEI, we continue to strengthen connections across education 📚, research 🔬, and policy 📋 to drive real change for our oceans.

We are excited and grateful to be a recognized part of this global movement 🌍💚, and we can't wait to welcome our community to Barcelona for an unforgettable gathering!
📍 Barcelona, Spain
📅 September 30 – October 2, 2026
🔗 Register now: https://emsea.glueup.com/event/emsea-conference-2026-barcelona-183688/

Let's shape the future of ocean literacy together! 🌊💙

24/08/2026

24/08/2026

🌊 Planning to join us for the EMSEA2026 Conference in Barcelona, Spain 🇪🇸 (September 30 – October 2, 2026)❓

🎉 Exciting News! Registration is now OPEN for the EMSEA 2026 Conference.

We're thrilled to invite you to join us for a celebration of innovation 💡, collaboration 🤝, and advocacy for our oceans 🌍. This conference isn't just about learning 📚 – it's about connecting! 💙 Engage in a regional dialogue on and join hands with the broader EMSEA community 👥✨.

📍 Don't wait – visit our website, explore your options, and secure your spot 👉 https://emsea.glueup.com/event/emsea-conference-2026-barcelona-183688/

This year's conference is co-organized with outstanding partners: Institut de Ciències del Mar - CSIC, SUBMON, Plàncton, Divulgació i Serveis Marins and endorsed by the UN Ocean Decade

Let's shape the future of ocean literacy together at 💙🌊

20/08/2026

What is Blue Education, and why does it matter? 🎬 Our new BlueLightS animated video is here!

🌊 Many people think teaching about the ocean is only about waves 🌊 and fish 🐟. But Blue Education goes much further — it connects climate 🌍, biodiversity 🦋, communities 🤝, rivers 🏞️, lakes 💧, seas 🌊, coastlines 🏖️, and the future students will inherit 👧🧒✨.

The video follows educators 👨‍🏫👩‍🏫 from across Europe as they discuss the challenges of bringing ocean and water topics into classrooms 📚, from limited time ⏰ and resources 📖 to the need for teacher training 🎓, digital tools 💻, and stronger curriculum links 🔗.

It also shows how the BlueLights Project supports schools through funding, resources, teacher training, and our Blue Education Platform, helping make ocean and water literacy part of mainstream learning for all.
Because Blue Education can start anywhere, and sometimes, it all starts with a click. 👉 💻
🔗 Watch the video here 👉 https://youtu.be/KHd-2HHrGiA?si=eQAOrc2tIp4OQeMg

Learn more about BlueLightS: https://blue-lights.eu/What does it ...

04/08/2026

Who can apply to the BlueLightS Funding Call?

If you’re a school looking to bring ocean and water topics into your teaching, this is for you. 🙌

The 3rd BlueLightS Funding Call is open to primary, secondary, and vocational schools across EU Member States and Horizon Europe associated countries. 🏫

Whether you’re located by the coast or inland, you can apply with a project that connects your students to real-world water and ocean challenges.

You can apply:
✅ As a single school or together with others
✅ As an existing European Blue School, or become one through your project

This is your chance to engage students in hands-on learning and join a growing network of schools working towards a more sustainable future.

💶 Budget up to €3,000 per country
📅 Deadline: 18 September 2026 (17:00 CET)
🔗 Apply here: https://blue-lights.eu/grants-for-schools/



BlueLights Project ▪ ACTeon Environment ▪ Sea Teach

28/05/2026

🌊📖 Our Chapter is Published! Ocean Literacy in Formal Education

Back in March 2024, we answered the call for chapters in what was supposed to be a single book on ocean literacy — and we knew exactly what we wanted to share! 💙✨

We contributed "Ocean Literacy in Formal Education: The Case of the Network of European Blue Schools" — providing an overview of how ocean literacy is being integrated into formal education through a grassroots approach facilitated by the European Commission and ocean literacy experts 🌍🎓.

What started as one book has blossomed into something even bigger! 📚🎉 The initial vision grew to a three-volume publication with 67 chapters and 250 authors — a testament to the wealth of knowledge and urgent need for sharing expertise in ocean literacy across the globe.

Volume III is finally here! 🥳
This volume emphasizes Ocean Decade Challenge 10: Restoring society's relationship with the Ocean through strategic communication, public engagement, and inclusive education models 🌊💡.

Our chapter "Ocean Literacy in Formal Education: The Case of the Network of European Blue Schools" is waiting for you! 👇

🔗 Read it here 👉 https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-032-14477-5

Dive in and discover how formal education is transforming our relationship with the ocean! 🌊💚

25/05/2026

📢 Blue Education Framework Workshop 4️⃣ is coming up!

🌀The BlueLights Project Policy Workshop Series continues with a session dedicated to Teacher Training & Professional Development within the European Blue Education Framework.

🛠️ This workshop will explore how educators can be supported in bringing ocean and water literacy into the classroom, from training approaches to practical tools and capacity-building strategies. 🏫

Join us to exchange ideas, learn from different perspectives, and contribute to shaping this key chapter of the Framework.

📅 28 May
🕙 10:00-11:30 CEST
🔗 Learn more & register 👉 https://blue-lights.eu/blue-education-workshop-iv-teacher-training-professional-development/

23/05/2026

🌊💙 What an incredible time with at !

From inspiring workshops to celebrating ocean champions, this year's European Maritime Day was truly unforgettable! ✨🌍

We kicked things off with the Blue Schools & Blue Skills: Classroom Experience Design Lab workshop, introducing teachers from and beyond to the world of blue skills and the blue economy 📚🔧. It was also a wonderful opportunity to meet Blue Schools teachers in person and hand out their certificates — a special moment celebrating their dedication! 🎓 Huge thanks to CoastalPro and Next BlueGeneration for supporting this initiative and helping us empower educators! 🙌💚

Then came a showstopper moment: students from IES Calvià, a proud member of and the Spanish Network of Blue Schools, absolutely amazed everyone — including the Commissioner! — with the incredible projects they're conducting at school 🎓🌊. Their passion and creativity reminded us why ocean literacy matters so much 💡✨.

Last but not least, it was a joy to see impactful initiatives from , , and celebrated and awarded the awards! 🏆🎉

Energized, inspired, and ready to keep the momentum going — see you next year! 🌊💙

EuroGOOS EuroMarine We Are Blue Schools_eu

13/05/2026

The Coalition makes waves at European Maritime Spatial Planning Week 🌊

Join our workshop to discover how can support effective MSP and help shape sustainable ocean governance in the EU.

📅 3 June 2026, 12:30 – 17:00 CET
📍 Nhow Bloom Hotel, Brussels
More info and registrations ➡️ https://maritime-spatial-planning.ec.europa.eu/events/european-maritime-spatial-planning-week

Participation is subject to acceptance of registration by the organisers.

P.S.: there will be lunch 😊