Wave Makers was a youth exchange initiative that brought together 21 young people from Denmark and Belgium to explore ocean health through arts, science, and activism. The project focused on the biodiversity crisis of the Danish Limfjord and empowered participants to develop ocean literacy while promoting responsible, creative actions to protect and restore the marine environment.
The exchange welcomed 21 participants aged 18–30 (10 from Denmark and 11 from Belgium), all with either artistic or scientific backgrounds. Despite their varied levels of creative skills and scientific understanding, they shared a common desire to learn, collaborate across disciplines, and deepen their connection to the natural world. The diverse group brought together emerging artists, young scientists, and youth advocates eager to become responsible and sustainable European citizens who feel connected to their surrounding waters.
The project aimed to foster ocean literacy by strengthening understanding of ecological interdependence, nurturing a sense of belonging with the sea to address eco-anxiety, building cross-border and cross-disciplinary relationships, and engaging in concrete actions through creative and hands-on contributions.
Wave Makers was developed through the collaboration of partner organisations with expertise in participatory arts (Nyskaben), youth work (UMMK), ocean literacy and education (EMSEA), and arts education research (VUB). By bringing together very different fields—ocean health, youth engagement, arts education, and climate activism—the partners engaged in extensive cross-disciplinary exchange. This process highlighted both the potential and the challenges of merging diverse methodologies and required the partners to rethink their educational strategies and facilitation approaches.
A selection of project activities included:
Sensorial exploration of the Limfjord
Learning about the Limfjord’s history, ecological challenges, and the role of eelgrass planting in ecosystem restoration
Developing and sharing ocean myths, stories, and prototypes for creative science communication
Engaging with tools for advocacy, creative activism, and craftivism, as well as embodied self-reflection on roles in activism
A closing ritual to say goodbye to the Limfjord
Project Outcomes
The Wave Makers exchange generated several creative and reflective outputs developed by the participants. These include:
A zine featuring artistic reflections, stories, and visual interpretations created during the exchange
An article documenting the project’s insights, experiences, and cross-disciplinary learning
A video capturing key moments from the exchange and illustrating the participants’ journey
