Our Projects
Priority Areas
As we work together to implement and advance the Canadian Ocean Literacy Strategy, our projects are collaborative and national in scope, focusing on three priority areas: Education & Engagement, Research & Impact, Leadership & Advocacy. Click on the 3 boxes below to explore the corresponding key initiatives.
Key Initiatives

Blue Schools Canada
Blue Schools Canada serves as the Canadian node within the All-Atlantic Blue Schools Network (AA-BSN), a global initiative launched in 2021 that connects schools located in countries along the Atlantic Ocean.

Ocean Literacy Community Grants
Collective efforts to establish an ocean literacy community microgrant program are underway.

Stories for Stream2Sea
Canadians from coast to coast to coast are invited to share stories of their connection with the ocean and how this connection may be changing.

Public Perceptions Research
Public Perceptions Research related to the ocean (and all waterways that flow to it) focuses on understanding how individuals perceive, value, and use ocean resources; as well as their concerns, beliefs, and priorities…

Ocean Literacy Research Community
COLC served as the lead applicant and co-organizer of the Developing a Global Ocean Literacy Research Program satellite activity at the first UN Ocean Decade Laboratory: An Inspiring & Engaging Ocean which took place on July 7-8th, 2021.

ECOP Canada
ECOP Canada About ECOP Canada ECOP Canada is the Canadian network for the Global ECOP program, endorsed by the UN Ocean Decade. ECOP Canada aims to achieve intergenerational equity by strengthening the diverse voices of early career ocean professionals across

Ocean Week Canada
Ocean Week Canada is an annual national celebration of ocean events, learning, and engagement.

Ocean Literacy With All
Ocean Literacy With All is a Decade endorsed program led by IOC-UNESCO, together with a global team of partners, including COLC.

All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance
The All-Atlantic Ocean multi-stakeholder platform is made up of experts from northern and southern Atlantic countries, including academia, industry, funding agencies and NGOs, and is divided into 5 sub-multi-stakeholder platforms.

National & International Presentation
COLC lead staff are regularly invited to present at national and international conferences, forums, and events to highlight the ocean literacy work being done in Canada and to help advocate for the relevance and advancement of ocean literacy globally.

Ocean Literacy Dialogues
The aim of the Ocean Literacy Dialogues series is to co-organize public events that enable knowledge exchange across different geographical and socio-cultural contexts, and that catalyze action as we work together to achieve the overarching goal of the UN Ocean Decade (2021-2030)

Blue Futures Pathways
Blue Futures Pathways, led by the Students on Ice Foundation, connects youth across Canada with education, employment, and funding opportunities to inspire and support them in developing successful careers in the Sustainable Blue Economy.