Eurocean's Youth

Surfrider Foundation Europe mobilizes the Youth on the future of the European maritime world

Eurocean’s Youth: the first network that connects young Europeans to the maritime world

“Join Eurocean's Youth network to advance a sustainable future to the maritime world”

The concept of Eurocean's Youth is to link young Europeans to the maritime world within a unique network. Developed by Surfrider Foundation Europe in partnership with the French Ministry of the Sea, this network will eventually bring together a hundred of young people aged from 20 to 27 years-old, coming from 25 countries of the European Union (EU). They will be trained alongside professionals and experts on two main topics: sea-related jobs and shipping. Aiming at exploring the multiple aspects of the maritime world in Europe, Eurocean's Youth will focus on four different zones : the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and finally, the Atlantic Ocean.

The Eurocean's Youth network promotes the youth's vision of the European maritime world during high-ranking international events throughout the year 2022, such as the One Ocean Summit (early 2022), the World Ocean Day (8 June), the European Maritime Day (May 20, 2022), and during the 2022 United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (27 June – 1 July 2022).

Eurocean's Youth welcomes experts with a scientific background in engineering, marine biology and oceanography, as well as experts in law, philosophy and political science.

Eurocean's Youth in La Rochelle, a week to envision a new Ocean

After months of work during workshops, conferences and debates, the ambassadors of the Eurocean's Youth network presented 11 recommendations to the French Minister of the Sea as well as during the European interministerial meeting on maritime issues.

This Eurocean's Youth week concludes the first important step of the network of young ambassadors of the maritime world with concrete proposals addressed directly to European leaders. Following the week in La Rochelle, the One Ocean Summit was held, with more than 40 heads of state gathered around the French president to take concrete international measures on the development of a responsible blue economy, including the development of MPAs and for the first time the commitment of an international treaty on plastic. Eurocean's Youth ambassadors were present to present the work of the network.

The recommendations focused on the two main areas of work of the Eurocean's Youth network: blue careers and maritime transport.

See the recommendations

Sum up of the recommendations

Recommendations about blue careers

1. Implement a comprehensive maritime surveillance and enforcement program.

2. Invest in the training and retraining of people employed in disappearing industries to facilitate their transition to emerging sustainable jobs.

3. Create a maritime Erasmus+ program combining education, employment, and networking opportunities to improve knowledge transfer and raise awareness of maritime issues.

4. Create a European platform to advance ocean knowledge.

5. Introduce ocean certification for public authorities in the European Union.

Recommendations about shipping

6. Implement a new rating system for zero-emission ships combining the EU regulation and the IMO rating system.

7. Improve water quality monitoring in EU ports.

8. Ensure strict implementation of dredging rules with the ambition of introducing a dredging ban in the coming years.

9. Provide EU subsidies for training in autonomous ship technology and promote this specialization in maritime schools in EU countries.

10. Make available public, private, and EU funding for the environmental transition of the shipping sector.

11. Facilitate the adhesion of shipowners to the Green Marine label by providing financial support to its certified members.

New webinars and events for maritime ambassadors

The Young Ambassadors will have the opportunity to advocate for the Ocean at several major international events throughout 2022 and will continue to learn through webinars with maritime professionals and experts.

Read the program

For further information please contact us at the following email address : euroceansyouth@surfrider.eu

Some prestigious French and international partners

Surfrider Foundation Europe has beneficiated from the support of various partners to develop the Eurocean's Youth network. French institutions such as the Ministry of the Sea, the city of La Rochelle and the region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine have been involved in the project. Moreover, Eurocean's Youth is part of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development (2020 – 2030), which aims at mobilizing the entire Ocean community at the global level.

Finally, the Eurocean’s Youth network also partnered with the Forum Youth4Ocean. Initiated by the European Commission's Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the Youth4Ocean Forum gathers young European players of the Ocean around key issues, including climate change, marine pollution, and food security.

our values

PASSION

The passion for the oceans, the coastline and the pleasures animate everyone who supports Surfrider and guides the organization's action.

SHARING

Surfrider is rooted in the value of sharing and participation through inclusion and diversity.

RESPECT

Surfrider seeks a harmonious relationship between humans and nature.

Newsletter Sign-Up

I'm registering