Ocean literacy – Engaging with society – Social Innovation

Specific challenge: The development of the new maritime economy can have important socioeconomic consequences in coastal areas and in the marine space (synergies and/or conflicts of use between old and new activities). These developments, together with the pressures from human activities and climate change on the marine environment, make it crucial to engage with citizens and stakeholders about seas and ocean challenges.

We will not achieve a sustainable exploitation of marine resources and a good environmental status of our seas and oceans unless citizens understand the influence of seas and oceans on their lives and how their behaviour can have an impact on marine ecosystems. This is a pre-requisite to develop the ecosystem based approach for marine activities and promote the understanding/protection of marine ecosystem services.

Scope: Proposals should focus on compiling existing knowledge in the broad area of Seas and Ocean Health (environmental status, pollution affecting marine biodiversity and ecosystems, ecosystem services). Attention will be paid to the impact this has on citizens, including on Human Health. Information collected should be turned into communication material, to be used for dissemination and engagement with societal stakeholders and public at large, e.g. via schools, aquaria, maritime and science museums[1]. Ocean literacy in the EU should be promoted in a traditional or in a proactive mutual learning way by engaging with citizens as responsible actors of change in marine challenges. In line with the objectives of the EU strategy for international cooperation in research and innovation (COM (2012) 497), proposals should benefit from the inclusion of partners established in third countries, in particular the US and Canada^[2], given the high potential for knowledge sharing in this field[3].

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU in the range of EUR 3.5 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Expected impact:

• Develop citizens’ understanding of the importance of Seas and Ocean Health, as well as interactions and interdependencies between the two, fostering behavioural change;
• Support the ecosystem based approach in the management of maritime activities and contribute to the objectives of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive,
• Maximize the societal impact of EU funded marine and maritime research.

Type of action: Coordination and support actions

[1] For such activities, synergies may also exist with the European Researchers' Night action under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie part of the Work programme

[2] This is without prejudice to the general rules on the funding of legal entities from third-countries, as set in part A of the annex to the work programme.

[3] See Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean Cooperation Launching a Canada- European Union- United States of America  Research Alliance (Galway, 24th of May 2013)