• The event, taking place on 29 October at the Finnova Foundation, will bring together European institutions, researchers and creative initiatives to explore how ocean literacy can inspire younger generations to engage in marine protection.

Brussels, 27 October 2026. On Thursday, 29 October, the European project ONE-BLUE will organise “ONE-BLUE: Engaging Young Europeans through Ocean Literacy” at the Finnova Foundation in Brussels, as part of the European Maritime Day (EMD) in My Country 2026 initiative.

The event, taking place from 10:00 to 11:45 in a hybrid format, will bring together researchers, European institutions and organisations working at the intersection of science, education and the arts. Its main objective is to explore how ocean literacy can help young Europeans better understand the challenges facing marine ecosystems and encourage their active participation in ocean protection.

Connecting marine research with society

The event will open with welcoming remarks by Pilar Santamaría, from the Finnova Foundation, followed by a presentation from ONE-BLUE coordinators Marinella Farré and Marta Llorca, researchers at IDAEA-CSIC. They will introduce the project’s scientific work on emerging marine contaminants and discuss how scientific communication can make research findings more accessible and relevant to younger audiences.

The first session, “Ocean Literacy in Europe”, will explore European initiatives aimed at strengthening public engagement with marine science. Evelyn Paredes Coral, from the European Commission, will present the role of EU4Ocean in connecting knowledge with action, while Dina Eparkhina, from EuroGOOS, will discuss how ocean observations can contribute to ocean literacy and bring science closer to society.

Art and creativity as tools for ocean engagement

The second session will focus on creative approaches to ocean literacy, highlighting how artistic practices and community participation can offer new ways of understanding and engaging with marine environmental challenges.

Raquel Ledo Doval will introduce S+T+ARTS AQUA MOTION, an initiative exploring the relationship between art, science and ocean engagement.

Caterina Pozzobon and Chiara Certomà, from Sapienza University of Rome, will present PartArt4OW, a European initiative that uses participatory art to connect communities with ocean and water-related challenges.

The session will also feature Xarxa Oberta, presented by Irene Solé from Oceanographies Collective, a participatory project in Barcelona that brings together local communities, fishing traditions, scientific knowledge and artistic practices to encourage collective reflection on the relationship between people and the sea.

Encouraging dialogue and future opportunities

The event will conclude with an open exchange between speakers and participants, creating space to discuss the role of young Europeans in shaping the future of ocean protection.

Nekane Martín, from the Finnova Foundation, will also introduce European funding opportunities related to the blue economy and ocean protection, alongside the Finnova HUB initiative. Pilar Santamaría will deliver the closing remarks.

Through this event, ONE-BLUE aims to strengthen the connection between marine research and society, demonstrating that protecting our oceans requires not only scientific knowledge and technological innovation, but also education, creativity and public participation.

Event information

Event: ONE-BLUE: Engaging Young Europeans through Ocean Literacy
Date: Thursday, 29 October 2026
Time: 10:00–11:45 CET
Venue: Finnova Foundation, Avenue des Arts 56, 1000 Brussels
Format: Hybrid (in-person and online)
Initiative: European Maritime Day in My Country 2026
Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.es/e/one-blue-engaging-young-europeans-through-ocean-literacy-tickets-2003123188379?aff=oddtdtcreator