Call for Decade Actions No. 08/2024: Spotlight on coastal resilience, society-ocean connections, and ocean-human health

Following the milestone 2024 Ocean Decade Conference and ahead of major biodiversity and climate negotiations, the Ocean Decade is continuing to build momentum toward achieving its vision of ‘the science we need for the ocean we want’.

The launch of the Call coincides with the release of the flagship report “Ambition, Action, Impact: The Ocean Decade Pathway to 2030. Consolidated Outcomes of the Vision 2030 Process” – a strategic roadmap that identifies science, knowledge, capacity, resources, and infrastructure priorities for the ten Ocean Decade Challenges. Based on these findings, the current Call targets specific needs and priority action areas to mobilize new initiatives and reinforce existing Decade Actions and coordination structures, ensuring continued progress toward the Decade’s ambitious goals.

Structure of Call for Decade Actions No. 08/2024

Part I – Ocean Decade Programmes

The scope of the Call covers Programmes that contribute to the achievement of one or more of the following Ocean Decade Challenges:

• Ocean Decade Challenge 6 – Increase community resilience to ocean and coastal risks

Almost three-quarters of the world’s population live within 50km of the sea, and only 15% of the world’s coastlines remain in their natural state. These figures emphasize the urgent need for ensuring a safe ocean, which is at the core of the Ocean Decade’s mandate. As part of Challenge 6, the Call has a focus on Programmes that develop ‘people-centered’ multi-hazard early-warning systems and design adaptation planning strategies to enhance coastal resilience.

• Ocean Decade Challenge 10 – Restore society’s relationship with the ocean,

A fundamental pillar underlying all other Challenges, Challenge 10 proposes a culture shift in the way that ocean science, in the broad sense as defined in the Decade, is formulated, practiced, and communicated to ensure that all sectors of society have strengthened emotional connections with the ocean, and understand the vital role that the ocean plays in human and planetary well-being. To achieve this Challenge, the Ocean Decade is seeking Programmes on transdisciplinary social science research related to society-ocean connections, behavioral and policy change, and ocean literacy.

• The ocean-human health nexus

The human-ocean connection raises a vital question: however far we live from it, how and why does the ocean influence our physical, mental, and societal well-being? Through this Call, the Ocean Decade will explore this link to reveal both the human health benefits of a resilient ocean and the health risks posed by declining marine environments. Programmes that engage the health sector and enhance our understanding of the intricate connections between ocean health and human health are encouraged to apply.

Part II – Expression of Interest for Decade Programmes

Additionally, the Ocean Decade is soliciting Expressions of Interest for Decade Programme proposals that address any Decade Challenges not covered in Part I, in line with priorities outlined in the Barcelona Statement and the “Ambition, Action, Impact: The Ocean Decade Pathway to 2030” report.

Part III – Ocean Decade Projects

At the Project level, 29 endorsed Decade Programmes – over two-thirds of all existing endorsed Programmes – are inviting Decade Project submissions. Please see below and in Annex I of the Guidance Note for Applicants for the full list.

Part IV – Ocean Decade Contributions

Decade Contributions of in-kind or financial resources are encouraged to support: (i) priority needs of the endorsed Decade Programmes participating in this Call; (ii) priority needs for Decade Implementing Partners to support a Community of Practice for Challenge 3 – Sustainably nourish the global population; (iii) capacity development initiatives to contribute to specific needs of the Ocean Decade Capacity Development Facility.

Please see Annexes in the Guidance Note for more information.

How to take part in Call for Decade Actions No. 08/2024

Interested parties should complete and submit the relevant online “Request for Endorsement” available on the Ocean Decade Network. Please note that there are several different online forms and different deadlines depending on the type of Action you are submitting.

During the preparation of submissions, we strongly encourage interested parties to consult and, where possible, collaborate with other institutions and partners working on common issues. The Ocean Decade Network provides a platform to identify potential partners and collaboration opportunities. Further information on mechanisms to create partnerships is provided in the FAQ document accompanying this Call.

Two virtual Q&A sessions are planned on 29 November 2024 to provide interested parties with additional information on the Call:

• The first session will be held at 07:30 – 08:30 UTC | Register here

• The second session will be held at 13:30 – 14:30 UTC | Register here

For additional information or queries, please contact oceandecade@unesco.org and include “Call for Decade Actions No. 08/2024” in the subject line.