Starting 2026, the Network of European Blue Schools has reached an extraordinary milestone: 1,311 schools are now actively committed to integrating Ocean Literacy into their curricula across Europe.
Since the first school joined the network in 2020, the initiative has grown steadily, now spanning 26 EU Member States and associated countries. This achievement reflects the dedication of teachers, students, school leaders, local authorities and educational organisations working together to place the ocean at the heart of learning.
A shared achievement
This success is the result of strong collaboration between the European Marine Science Educators Association and EU-funded projects including ProBleu, SHORE and BlueLightS. Together, these initiatives have supported schools through funding opportunities, teaching resources, training, networking events and recognition schemes that make Ocean Literacy tangible in classrooms.
Building synergies, these projects have helped scale up impact and ensure that schools across Europe can actively participate in the Blue Schools movement.
Reaching 1,311 Blue Schools directly contributes to the EU Mission’s objectives: Restore our Ocean and Waters. Education is a fundamental pillar of the Mission: informed and engaged citizens are essential to restoring marine and freshwater ecosystems, preventing pollution, and making the blue economy sustainable. Blue Schools are helping to build the next generation of ocean stewards, young people who understand the connection between ocean health, climate, biodiversity and society.
This milestone demonstrates what can be achieved when educational networks and European projects work together toward a shared vision. As the Blue Schools network continues to grow, so does its potential to accelerate cultural change and strengthen Europe’s collective commitment to healthy oceans and waters.
On behalf of all of us involved in ProBleu, we celebrate this shared success and look forward to welcoming many more schools to the European Blue Schools community!
Funded by the European Union