Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Advancing Ocean Literacy and Sustainable Practices through Education and Community Engagement

Green Mentors (
Non-governmental organization (NGO)
)
#OceanAction57292
    Description
    Description

    Green Mentors commit to enhancing ocean literacy and promoting sustainable practices through educational and community-based initiatives. By integrating marine conservation topics into school curricula, organizing community workshops, and collaborating with local and international partners, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of ocean issues and empower individuals to take actionable steps toward ocean sustainability.
    Objective:
    Educating and engaging diverse stakeholders, including students, educators, local communities, and policymakers, in ocean conservation efforts contributes to achieving SDG 14 targets.
    Activities:
    Develop and implement marine conservation curricula in schools and universities.
    Conduct workshops and training sessions for community members on sustainable practices.
    Collaborate with partners to promote establishing and effectively managing marine protected areas.
    Engage in research projects on marine ecosystems and facilitate data sharing to inform policy decisions.
    Advocate for policies supporting a sustainable blue economy at local, national, and international levels.
    Expected Outcomes:
    Increased awareness and understanding of ocean conservation among students and educators.
    Enhanced community participation in sustainable practices and conservation efforts.
    Improved management and expansion of marine protected areas.
    Strengthened research capacity and data availability on marine ecosystems.
    Influence on policy development promoting sustainable use of marine resources.
    Time Frame: January 2025 – December 2027
    Resources Available:
    Experienced educators and trainers
    Established partnerships with educational institutions and NGOs
    Access to research facilities and data repositories
    Funding secured through grants and donations
    Resources Needed:
    Additional funding for program expansion
    Technical support for research initiatives
    Policy support from government agencies
    Indicators of Success:
    Number of educational institutions adopting marine conservation curricula
    Participation rates in community workshops and training sessions
    Establishment and effective management of new marine protected areas
    Quantity and quality of research outputs and data shared
    Policy changes influenced by advocacy efforts
    Means of Implementation:
    Leveraging existing partnerships and networks
    Utilizing digital platforms for education and outreach
    Applying for grants and funding opportunities
    Engaging volunteers and community leaders
    Follow-Up Mechanisms:
    Regular monitoring and evaluation of program activities
    Annual reporting on progress and outcomes
    Feedback mechanisms for participants and stakeholders
    Adjustments to strategies based on evaluation findings
    Alignment with International Frameworks: This commitment aligns with the objectives of the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference and contributes directly to implementing Sustainable Development Goal 14.
    Additional Information: Green Mentors has a proven track record in environmental education and community engagement, with successful programs implemented across various regions. Our collaborative approach ensures the inclusion of diverse perspectives and expertise, enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of our initiatives.

    Partners

    Green Mentors
    Schools
    Universities

    Goal 4

    Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

    Goal 4

    4.1

    By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes

    4.1.1

    Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex

    4.1.2

    Completion rate (primary education, lower secondary education, upper secondary education)

    4.2

    By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education

    4.2.1

    Proportion of children aged 24–59 months who are developmentally on track in health, learning and psychosocial well-being, by sex

    4.2.2

    Participation rate in organized learning (one year before the official primary entry age), by sex

    4.3

    By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university

    4.3.1

    Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal education and training in the previous 12 months, by sex

    4.4

    By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship

    4.4.1

    Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, by type of skill

    4.5

    By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations
    4.5.1

    Parity indices (female/male, rural/urban, bottom/top wealth quintile and others such as disability status, indigenous peoples and conflict-affected, as data become available) for all education indicators on this list that can be disaggregated

    4.6

    By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy

    4.6.1

    Youth/adult literacy rate

    4.7

    By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development

    4.7.1

    Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education and (d) student assessment

    4.a

    Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all

    4.a.1

    Proportion of schools offering basic services, by type of service

    4.b

    By 2020, substantially expand globally the number of scholarships available to developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States and African countries, for enrolment in higher education, including vocational training and information and communications technology, technical, engineering and scientific programmes, in developed countries and other developing countries
    4.b.1

    Volume of official development assistance flows for scholarships

    4.c

    By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries, especially least developed countries and small island developing States

    4.c.1

    Proportion of teachers with the minimum required qualifications, by education level

    Goal 14

    Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

    Goal 14

    14.1

    By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

    14.1.1

    (a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density

    14.2

    By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

    14.2.1

    Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas

    14.3

    Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

    14.3.1
    Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

    14.4

    By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

    14.4.1
    Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

    14.5

    By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

    14.5.1
    Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

    14.6

    By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

    14.6.1

    Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

    14.7

    By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

    14.7.1

    Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries

    14.a

    Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

    14.a.1
    Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

    14.b

    Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

    14.b.1

    Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries

    14.c

    Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"

    14.c.1

    Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

    Name Description
    14.1 By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
    14.2 By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
    14.3 Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
    14.5 By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
    14.6 By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
    14.7 By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
    14.a Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
    14.b Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
    14.c Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
    Development of Marine Conservation Curriculum -A comprehensive curriculum focusing on ocean literacy, sustainable practices, and marine biodiversity conservation for schools and universities.
    Community Engagement Workshops on Sustainable Ocean Practices- onducting a series of workshops targeting local communities, emphasizing sustainable fishing practices, pollution reduction, and marine protection strategies.
    Establishment of Knowledge Sharing Platform-
    Launch of a digital platform to facilitate the exchange of data, case studies, and best practices on marine conservation among participating regions.
    Staff / Technical expertise
    Deployment of expert trainers and marine educators specializing in ocean literacy and conservation. Involvement of data scientists for developing a knowledge-sharing platform and GIS mapping tools. Community engagement specialists to facilitate workshops
    Financing (in USD)
    Total Estimated Budget: USD 750,000 for the pilot phase. : Development of educational materials and curriculum design. Conducting workshops and capacity-building events. Development and maintenance of the digital knowledge-sharing events.
    Staff / Technical expertise
    Dedicated policy experts and sustainability consultants for engaging with local governments. Technical support for aligning the educational content with global frameworks such as SDG 14. Legal and governance support for advocating the establishment MPAs.
    Other, please specify
    Institutional Partnerships: Collaboration with local schools, universities, and research centers to pilot the curriculum and test the knowledge-sharing platform. Technological Infrastructure: Use of cloud-based platforms for data sharing, knowledge excha
    No progress reports have been submitted. Please sign in and click here to submit one.
    ocean commitment banner
    False
    Action Network
    Ocean conference wheel logo
    Share
    FacebookTwitterLinkedIn
    Timeline
    30 June 2025 (start date)
    31 March 2026 (date of completion)
    Entity
    Green Mentors
    SDGs
    Other beneficiaries
    Students and educators Local communities Policymakers Environmental advocates
    Ocean Basins
    North Pacific, North Atlantic, Indian Ocean
    Communities of Ocean Action
    Mangroves, Coral reefs, Ocean acidification, Marine and coastal ecosystems management, Marine pollution, Scientific knowledge, research capacity development and transfer of marine technology, Implementation of international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
    More information
    Countries
    India
    India
    United Arab Emirates
    United Arab Emirates
    United States of America
    United States of America
    Headquarters
    Ahmedabad ,Gujarat India
    Contact Information

    Virendra , Director