OKEANO will provide professional support to the core activities of the AAORIA as well as advice on effective long-term governance frameworks and legacy, consolidate and strengthen existing initiatives aligned with the priorities of the All-Atlantic Declaration, facilitate structured dialogue and coordination between the AAORIA and All-Atlantic stakeholders at national, regional and international levels, design and carry out inclusive capacity development initiatives for Atlantic communities, develop an All-Atlantic Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda to support the coordination of marine and maritime research and innovation activities with All-Atlantic stakeholders, and maximise the impact of the project through effective and engaging dissemination, exploitation and communication activities.
OKEANO will also support to the organisation, monitoring, communication, and outreach activities of three All-Atlantic Fora. The consortium comprises 15 organisations, ensuring a comprehensive geographical coverage along and across the Atlantic Ocean of countries that endorse the All-Atlantic Declaration. Furthermore, the consortium represents a balanced mixture of unique capabilities, knowledge and access to relevant stakeholder and citizen networks needed to pursue the objectives of the project.
The OKEANO Coordination and Support Action (CSA) is the third and current EU-funded CSA supporting the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance. Representatives from 15 partner organizations from Belgium, Brazil, Cabo Verde, France, Germany, Ireland, Morocco, Norway, Portugal, South Africa and Spain and one associated Partner, Argentina, are part of the OKEANO CSA consortium. Funded under the Horizon Europe Programme by the European Union the OKEANO CSA is coordinated by the Marine Institute Ireland, and works closely under the steering of the European Commission
The main objective of the OKEANO CSA is to provide coordination and support to the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance, ensuring effective governance, cooperation, and communication amongst signatories, and to implement the 2022 All-Atlantic Declaration.
The OKEANO CSA aims to facilitate dialogue and collaboration at local, national, and international levels, to consolidate existing initiatives emphasizing the importance of climate regulation, biodiversity preservation, and sustainable ocean economies. Specifically, OKEANO aims to achieve its objectives through several key actions:
- Coordination and Support: Provide professional support for effective governance and communication within AAORIA.
- Dialogue and Coordination: Facilitate structured dialogue and coordination between AAORIA and stakeholders at various levels.
- Supporting Existing Initiatives: Strengthen ongoing AAORIA initiatives, particularly Early Career Ocean Professionals’ (ECOPs) capacity building.
- Strategic Research Agenda: Develop a comprehensive research agenda integrating perspectives from North and South Atlantic regions.
- Communication and Outreach: Disseminate information about AAORIA’s activities and engage stakeholders through targeted efforts.
- International Fora: Organize international events to foster scientific cooperation across the Atlantic.
Throughout these actions, OKEANO emphasizes engagement with stakeholders across Atlantic communities, including youth and indigenous groups, to address pressing challenges such as climate change, marine pollution, and sustainable fisheries.
