Applications open for Millennium Oceans Prize

The Millennium Oceans Prize targets Sustainable Development Goal 14 by celebrating youth activists who are focused on enriching their communities through advancing marine and freshwater conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.

Throughout the 2024-2025 academic year, the Millennium Oceans Prize Winners will have the opportunity to rally their peers around conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.

The Prize and Campaign it enables is supported by Millennium Campus Network (MCN) and the Remmer Family Foundation.

Specific Targets

• The world’s oceans – their temperature, chemistry, currents and life – drive global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. The rainwater, drinking water, weather, climate, coastlines, much of the food, are all ultimately provided and regulated by the sea. Throughout history, oceans and seas have been vital conduits for trade and transportation.
• Careful management of this essential global resource is a key feature of a sustainable future. However, at the current time, there is a continuous deterioration of coastal waters owing to pollution and ocean acidification is having an adversarial effect on the functioning of ecosystems and biodiversity. This is also negatively impacting small scale fisheries.
• Marine protected areas need to be effectively managed and well-resourced and regulations need to be put in place to reduce overfishing, marine pollution and ocean acidification.

Benefits

• The best part of this prize is the opportunity to cultivate a community of peers who care just as much about the oceans and marine resources as you do. Here are the specifics:
  • Up to $5,000 to implement your winning campaign
  • Mentorship and support from MCN
  • Co-curate campaign action groups, mobilizing and coordinating with peers who are passionate about SDG 14
  • Write for the media partners about your campaign
  • Co-curate global webinars with the MCN and the Remmer Family Foundation during the academic year to keep peers engaged and involved.

What they are Looking for?

• They are looking for campaign ideas that are concrete and can rally your peers to mobilize in this sector. How can you engage youth leaders on other campuses and in communities across the globe to fight for and champion advocacy and leadership for the oceans, freshwater systems, sustainable fishing, and marine conservation? Your campaign could take shape through activism, social entrepreneurship, or research. How will you mobilize your community and inspire youth leaders world-wide to take part in the fight for sustainable practices that protect the oceans and freshwater systems?

Who can apply?

• Young leaders who have demonstrated the ability to galvanize peers and sustain active engagement for a full academic year for the protection and sustainability of the oceans and marine life. Although the campaigns will be time-bound, their impact should pave the way for the next series of student movements to transpire.

For more information, visit Millennium Oceans Prize.