Official Launch of the IOI Ocean Academy for the Upper Adriatic in partnership with Ocean ECO and the Adriatic Blue Academy Trieste, Italy, 23 March
The launch event in Trieste on 23 March marked an important milestone for the IOI Ocean Academy’s expansion into the Upper Adriatic region, bringing Ocean Literacy directly to local communities through the Adriatic Blue Academy (ABA), marking the first concrete collaboration between Ocean ECO and the IOI Ocean Academy. The event brought together a diverse audience of young people, professionals, and institutional representatives, highlighting the city’s role as a hub for regional cooperation across Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia.
A key moment was the address by IOI Managing Director Antonella Vassallo, who emphasised the importance of Ocean Literacy as a shared responsibility and the foundation of the partnership with the IOI and the IOI Ocean Academy global programme. She closed with a direct and compelling call to action for Ocean Literacy: understanding the ocean is not a privilege for the few, but a responsibility for all — citizens, professionals and institutions alike — because we cannot protect what we do not know. It is precisely this conviction that underpins the partnership between Ocean ECO and the IOI Ocean Academy, which is formally recognised as a UN Ocean Decade Action under the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).
Through this collaboration, four free Ocean Literacy courses will be delivered in the Upper Adriatic in 2026. They are designed for citizens, professionals, businesses, and institutions. The first, “Our Lagoons: Where Land Meets Sea,” began on 20 April and will be exploring key ecosystems such as the Venice Lagoon and the lagoons of Marano and Grado through interactive online sessions aimed at communities, businesses, and institutions.
By embedding Ocean Literacy within the daily realities of the Upper Adriatic, the IOI Ocean Academy is helping build a more informed and responsible regional community, where protecting the ocean starts with understanding its direct connection to people’s lives.
Register for upcoming IOI Ocean Academy Modules here.
Finding More Information:
The full global course programme of the IOI Ocean Academy (including registration details) is available here
Details of the first IOI Ocean Academy course offered through the Adriatic Blue Academy can be found here.
Further information on Ocean ECO and its activities: https://ocean-eco.net
Ocean ECO is the Sustainable Blue Economy and Ocean Literacy unit of common sense – eLearning & training consultants GmbH in Vienna, Austria.
Together towards a future where knowing the ocean means protecting it.
IOI Ocean Academy partnership in India offers outreach in Marathi Language
In March 2022, TERRE Policy Centre entered into a strategic collaboration with the IOI to deliver a structured online IOI Ocean Academy programme in India. The initiative seeks to enhance ocean literacy by improving public understanding of the ocean through accessible, regionally relevant content designed for a diverse, non-specialist audience.
As part of continued efforts to increase accessibility, the IOI Ocean Academy India also recently introduced Marathi-language delivery to increase outreach to local communities selected as a key starting point. The first Marathi module titled “Sagar Maitri – Ocean Literacy Course” was launched on Marathi Bhasha Gaurav Din (Marathi Language Pride Day), commemorating the birth anniversary of poet Kusumagraj. Conducted over ten days, the programme focused on oceans, marine biodiversity, coastal ecosystems, and sustainability challenges, helping participants understand the relationship between humans and the ocean.
Delivered in Marathi, the course made complex topics more accessible and meaningful to local communities. Under expert guidance, participants explored marine biodiversity, coastal heritage, and conservation issues, while engaging in interactive discussions on contemporary ocean challenges.
The module attracted a diverse group of participants, including educators, environmental professionals, researchers, and students, fostering interdisciplinary exchange. Overall, the initiative successfully promoted ocean literacy and environmental awareness at the grassroots level, encouraging responsible and sustainable use of marine resources. The course concluded with a formal vote of thanks, and certificates were distributed to all participants electronically.