Through the Sea of Change project, we aimed to actively engage and empower young people as change agents in fighting ocean pollution along European coastlines. Our overarching goal was to foster a sense of responsibility and leadership among youth, ensuring their voices and actions contributed to tangible environmental solutions. We sought to achieve three key objectives: 1. Mobilize youth action: We engaged three distinct groups of young people across Denmark and Spain, equipping them with the knowledge and motivation to take concrete steps against ocean pollution. 2. Promote green entrepreneurship: By introducing innovative, sustainable business models, we inspired youth to develop and lead environmental initiatives, bridging creativity with real-world impact. 3. Create a digital toolbox: We developed a practical, accessible resource hub to empower young people with tools, guidelines, and best practices for addressing pollution effectively, both locally and collaboratively. By establishing partnerships in Denmark and Spain, we ensured a cross-border exchange of ideas and solutions, amplifying the project’s reach and fostering long-term youth-led environmental stewardship.
We applied for the project to address the urgent challenge of plastic pollution in the EU, where 26 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated annually, with less than 30% recycled and significant amounts exported, landfilled, or discarded in nature. Recognizing the big environmental impact, especially on oceans, coastlines, and ecosystems, we sought to contribute to the EU’s circular economy goals by 2050, focusing on two important areas: awareness-raising and green entrepreneurship. The project targeted the opportunity to empower youth, who are pivotal in driving change. By sharing knowledge, showcasing best practices, and fostering green entrepreneurship, we aimed to inspire young people to take action against plastic pollution and protect Europe’s oceans and coasts. Our efforts aligned with EU measures such as extended producer responsibility, collection targets for drink bottles, and recycled content mandates, reinforcing the principle that systemic change requires both policy and grassroots engagement. Through this initiative, we addressed the gap in youth involvement, ensuring that the next generation is equipped to champion sustainable solutions and reduce plastic waste at its source.