The fourth presentation session of the projects funded by the Blue Growth Programme of EEA Grants 2014-2021, organized by the Directorate General for Maritime Policy, took place on December 2nd, in digital format. It was another session fully dedicated to projects in the area of Ocean literacy.
The opening session was attended by the Director-General for Maritime Policy, Helena Vieira, who reinforced the importance of this subject, referring that this was one of the most competitive calls with 46 applications requesting more than 1.2 M EUR. “We had to increase the allocated funds to this call to be able to include more great projects” – declared.
Susana Ramos, Head of the National Focal Point, pointed out the relevance of the Blue Growth Programme in the EEA Grants Financial Mechanism, not only because it has the most significant global financial allocation in the current funding period, but mainly due to broad scope of the supported areas. She also congratulated the 10 projects funded, looking forward to results that will be delivered in this important area of Ocean literacy.
The promoters of the financed projects took the floor, reveling the diverse strategies used, but all with the same goal - to raise awareness about the major issues facing the Ocean and change behaviours. Promoting students' connection to the sea, with beach cleaning campaigns or diving experiences, organizing lectures in the thematic of Ocean Literacy, producing digital resources or implementing artistic nature initiatives were some examples that the 120 participants in the session had the opportunity to discover.
The final message belonged to the Minister of the Sea, Ricardo Serrão Santos, who referred the National Ocean Strategy, approved this year, “whose vision is to promote a healthy ocean to foster sustainable blue development, the welfare of the Portuguese, and affirm Portugal as a leader in ocean governance supported by on scientific knowledge.” Concluding that “aligned with this Strategy we need an informed society and that is why we hear more and more about ocean literacy and its importance.”
Watch the video of the session.