Grant for Schools

BlueLights / Grant for Schools

BlueLightS - 1st Call for Blue Challenges in European Schools

Call for Proposals: BlueLightS - Enlightening Future Schools for a Sustainable Blue Europe

Are you ready to engage the next generation in ocean sustainability? BlueLightS, funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe Programme, invites schools to participate in this exciting call for proposals. Our goal is simple: to boost Ocean and Water Literacy by involving children and young people in the EU Blue School programme and the EU Mission: "Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030."

Why Join?

The EU Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030" aims to reverse damage to our oceans, coasts, and inland waters caused by human activities such as climate change, pollution, and habitat destruction. To achieve this, it’s crucial to foster ocean and water literacy, instilling a sense of environmental responsibility among future generations.

What is the Network of European Blue Schools (NEBS)?

NEBS, part of the EU4Ocean Coalition for Ocean Literacy, connects organisations, projects, and individuals committed to sustainable ocean management. Schools in the network are encouraged to develop a "Find the Blue" project, which links students to the ocean. Successful projects earn the prestigious European Blue School label.

This Call for Proposals Offers:

Funding opportunities for Blue Challenges and Blue Schools within the BlueLightS initiative. Join us in empowering young minds to make a difference in ocean sustainability!

Application form - for information purposes only and the applications should be submitted online.

Objectives

Wide-scale development of more impactful blue projects in schools that support the Mission Ocean & Water ambition while contributing to the widening of the Network of European Blue Schools (NEBS)
Diversifying the community of schools that engage into blue challenges - from coastal to inland, primary/secondary and vocational, including schools for disabled children
Mobilising youth via e-twinning between schools

Eligibility

Types of Projects

The BlueLightS project’s goal is to support flexible and effective ocean and water literacy programs for primary and secondary schools (including vocational schools). Each project considered for support has to:

  • Promote and contribute to achieving of EU Mission “Restore our ocean and waters by 2030” objectives
  • Enlarge and strengthen the NEBS, contributing to the work of the EU4Ocean Coalition. Consequently, all schools are either an EU blue school or have applied to become an EU blue school. You may check the mandatory and optional criteria on how to become a European Blue School here.
  • Promote collaborative learning practices with staff and students via eTwinning as key tool to intercultural learning and giving opportunities to bring a clear European dimension
  • Engage students, youth, teachers, school leaders, and the wider school community in the pursuit of ocean and water literacy and sustainability.

Eligibility Criteria

Your school must:

  • Be a legally registered public or private school, accredited by the relevant authority.
  • Offer primary or secondary education (including vocational education and training), up to ISCED level 3.
  • Be established and approved by the administration of the country in which it is located.
  • Not have previously received funding from the ProBleu or SHORE projects.
  • Be a member of the Network of European Blue Schools or demonstrate that your project meets at least 5 mandatory criteria of the Network.
  • If not already a member, you must apply to the Network by the final month of your project implementation.

Your school must be located in:

  • One of the EU-27 Member States
  • One of the following associated countries: Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey, the UK, Ukraine.

Duration & Budget

  • Total budget: €100,000
  • Budget per EU country: €6,000
  • Budget per third country associated with Horizon Europe: €3,000
  • Maximum grant: €3,000
  • Deadline: 15/11 at 17:00 CET
  • Duration of blue challenges: 2-5 months

For more information on eligible applications and activities, financial provisions, eligible costs, and more, please refer to the pdf: Call for Blue challenges

Apply Now

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