The Commonwealth Ocean Champions Competition supports solutions and impactful projects that address ocean-related challenges within the Commonwealth nations. This competition is part of a broader effort to promote the sustainable management and protection of the world’s oceans, which are vital to global health, climate regulation, and biodiversity. By focusing on ocean conservation, the competition seeks to encourage creativity, collaboration, and action in addressing pressing issues such as marine pollution, overfishing, climate change, and habitat destruction.
A virtual ocean hackathon and symposium was launched on 12 August by the Blue Charter Ocean Youth Working Group to coincide with International Youth Day. The working group is inviting young people with innovative ideas from across the Commonwealth to compete for a chance to secure funding to assist with the implementation of their projects. The youth group, launched at COP28 in December 2024, actively engages young people across the 56 Commonwealth countries in topics on the ocean and climate change.
The competition invites individuals, organizations, and communities across the Commonwealth to submit their projects, research, or ideas that contribute to the sustainable use and conservation of ocean resources. Participants are encouraged to showcase initiatives that offer practical and scalable solutions to challenges affecting the marine environment. These might include innovative technologies, community-based conservation efforts, policy advocacy, or educational programs designed to raise awareness and foster sustainable practices.
Entries are typically evaluated based on criteria such as innovation, impact, feasibility, and the potential for replication or scaling. The competition aims to identify and celebrate projects that not only demonstrate significant progress in addressing ocean-related challenges but also have the potential to inspire and influence broader change. By highlighting successful examples, the competition provides a platform for sharing knowledge and best practices, helping to spread effective solutions to other regions and stakeholders.
Winners of the Commonwealth Ocean Champions Competition receive recognition and support to advance their projects. This support can include funding, mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to a range of resources and expertise. The competition also offers a platform for showcasing successful initiatives at high-profile events, which helps to raise awareness and attract further interest and investment from both public and private sectors.
The competition plays a critical role in advancing the goals of the Commonwealth Blue Charter, a commitment by Commonwealth countries to promote ocean sustainability and address marine challenges collectively. By fostering a spirit of innovation and collaboration, the Commonwealth Ocean Champions Competition contributes to global efforts to protect marine environments and ensure that ocean resources are managed sustainably for future generations.
The Commonwealth Ocean Champions Competition is an important initiative that emphasizes the need for concerted action and creative solutions to protect and preserve the world’s oceans. Through its focus on innovation and impact, the competition helps to drive progress in ocean conservation, supports the development of effective solutions, and highlights the contributions of those dedicated to safeguarding the marine environment.
Eligibility Requirements For The Commonwealth Ocean Champions Competition
- Open to young people aged 15 – 29 years old from Commonwealth countries.
- Submissions, by filling the application form, can be from an individual or a team.
- A solution to at least one issue from the Commonwealth Blue Charter action areas must be developed.
- Must be a member of the Blue Charter Ocean Youth Working Group
Program Details
- Winners will be announced at the Ocean Symposium at the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa and COP29 in Azerbaijan.
- They will also be required to submit a blog post with photos at the 3rd, 6th and 9th month intervals after winning to showcase their progress.
Method of Application
email the group at OceanYouth@commonwealthconnect.org.
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