๐ How can local communities make better decisions for our oceans?
This is exactly what Blue Governance, a project funded by Erasmus+, is all about.
BlueGOV responds to this need by connecting research, training, community engagement and policy dialogue. The project works with coastal authorities, including municipalities, and other local stakeholders such as tourism bodies, environmental agencies and marine conservation organisations to explore existing challenges, identify good practices and develop practical resources that can support more sustainable, ocean-conscious governance.
The project also recognises that communities are central to this change. Residents, local groups, tourists and visitors all benefit when coastal authorities and stakeholders have the knowledge and tools to protect marine environments while supporting resilient local economies and inclusive coastal development.
The project focuses on three European pilot regions:
๐ฉ๐ช Baltic Sea (Rรผgen, Germany)
๐ญ๐ท Adriatic Sea (ล ibenik-Knin, Croatia)
๐ต๐น Atlantic Ocean (Oeiras, Portugal)
Through research, stakeholder engagement and the development of a digital learning platform and practical toolbox, BlueGOV helps turn Ocean Literacy into concrete action for Europe's coastal regions.
Objectives
Understanding local needs
BlueGOV maps the main challenges, gaps and opportunities linked to ocean literacy in European coastal governance, drawing on the experience of authorities, stakeholders and local communities.
Supporting coastal authorities
The project develops training content and practical tools tailored to the needs of municipalities, tourism bodies, environmental agencies, marine conservation organisations and other coastal actors.
Strengthening community engagement
BlueGOV encourages dialogue between local decision-makers and the people who live in, work in and visit coastal areas, helping communities turn knowledge into action.
Testing practical solutions
Pilot activities in different coastal regions support the validation of BlueGOV resources and help demonstrate how ocean literacy can be applied in real governance and community contexts.
Contributing to policy and long-term impact
The project will share recommendations and lessons learnt to support the wider integration of ocean literacy into local, regional and European governance frameworks.
Partners
University of Greifswald, Germany
- OnProjects
- WWF Portugal
- Seateach, Mallorca
- Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Spilt, Croatia
- AlterContacts
EMSEA
๐ Learn more about the project: https://bluegov.eu/