Periodic Reporting for period 1 - BlueLightS (EnLIGHTening future Schools to deliver BLUE Sustainability in Europe)
Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-06-30
The importance of protecting and sustainably managing the ocean is receiving growing political and societal attention. Efforts to engage children (up to 18 years old) and integrate the ocean into education aim to help young people understand its significance and how to act for its sustainable use. Over the years, marine research institutes, state agencies, and outreach programs have brought the ocean into formal education through various “blue education” approaches. Recently, the EU Blue Schools Network has advanced these efforts by promoting project-based learning and open schooling, involving 20,000 students over 1.5 years in ocean and sustainability projects, and fostering collaboration among teachers, students, and local communities. National initiatives in Portugal, France, and Ireland have shown positive impacts, such as changes in student behavior, wider adoption of sustainable practices, and stronger local synergies. Expanding blue education in European schools is expected to encourage more sustainable behavior towards oceans and waters, supporting the Mission’s objectives.
BlueLightS aims to strengthen blue education in Europe, creating conditions for the cost-effective upscaling of the Mission’s next phase. The project focuses on four key areas: (1) increasing the number of blue challenges in schools and accredited Blue Schools; (2) promoting inclusivity by involving schools from inland areas, vocational schools, and schools for children with disabilities; (3) enhancing the quality and ambition of blue education projects through open schooling and citizenship education; (4) integrating blue education into national education systems by co-designing a blue education framework and developing national roadmaps with stakeholders.
BlueLightS aims to strengthen blue education in Europe, creating conditions for the cost-effective upscaling of the Mission’s next phase. The project focuses on four key areas: (1) increasing the number of blue challenges in schools and accredited Blue Schools; (2) promoting inclusivity by involving schools from inland areas, vocational schools, and schools for children with disabilities; (3) enhancing the quality and ambition of blue education projects through open schooling and citizenship education; (4) integrating blue education into national education systems by co-designing a blue education framework and developing national roadmaps with stakeholders.
During the first reporting period, BlueLightS conducted a comprehensive review of blue education initiatives and policies across Europe, combining desk research and stakeholder consultations. Findings were presented at the One Ocean Science Congress, highlighting bottlenecks and future directions. This review informed the development of national experimentation roadmaps in nine countries, tailored to their specific contexts, policies, and educational systems. It also guided the creation of a blueprint for a European framework to strengthen blue education, identifying key drivers of change and actionable steps at individual, school, and national levels. Experimentation began in December 2024, with early results including surveys to assess project impact (Greece), teacher training modules (Croatia), educational resources (Spain and Ireland), and the establishment of a “blue education node” (Sweden). Additionally, 17 schools received funding through BlueLightS’ first call for Blue Challenges, and a second call was launched in May 2025, aiming to fund 75–80 projects.
A digital hub for blue education was also established, featuring networking spaces, a resource center (154 resources in 12 languages as of June 2025), monthly webinars, and information on funding opportunities. By June 2025, the platform had 209 members.
A digital hub for blue education was also established, featuring networking spaces, a resource center (154 resources in 12 languages as of June 2025), monthly webinars, and information on funding opportunities. By June 2025, the platform had 209 members.
BlueLightS introduces several innovations, moving beyond fragmented or national pilot programs. The project developed a common, operational definition of blue education that includes both marine and freshwater dimensions, formal and non-formal learning, and links to economic, citizenship, and Sustainable Development Goals. A systematic mapping of the blue education landscape in Europe was conducted, analyzing over 200 initiatives, national curricula, and policy instruments in nine countries. This evidence base supports a maturity model assessing the depth of blue education integration in five areas: national strategies, curriculum, teacher professional development, educational resources, and financial/human resources. The model enables stakeholders to diagnose their progress and identify improvements.
The project emphasizes the role of middle-level actors (teacher networks, NGOs, regional authorities) as key drivers of change and integrates often-overlooked themes like inclusivity and community engagement. A self-assessment tool, combining the maturity model with indicators and examples, helps schools and regions track progress and replicate best practices. BlueLightS also connects blue education with broader frameworks such as the European Green Deal and the EU Mission “Restore Our Ocean and Waters by 2030,” proposing a governance model for institutionalizing blue education in policy and reform efforts.
The project emphasizes the role of middle-level actors (teacher networks, NGOs, regional authorities) as key drivers of change and integrates often-overlooked themes like inclusivity and community engagement. A self-assessment tool, combining the maturity model with indicators and examples, helps schools and regions track progress and replicate best practices. BlueLightS also connects blue education with broader frameworks such as the European Green Deal and the EU Mission “Restore Our Ocean and Waters by 2030,” proposing a governance model for institutionalizing blue education in policy and reform efforts.