The BlueLightS project offers funding for primary, secondary, and vocational schools in Europe and associated countries to develop creative, student-led projects that promote ocean and water literacy. The call supports hands-on learning that engages students with aquatic environments and encourages them to take meaningful action.

Objectives:

The call aims to:

1. Support wide-scale development of more impactful blue projects in schools that support the Mission Ocean & Waters ambition while contributing to the widening of the Network of European Blue Schools (NEBS).
2. Diversify the community of schools that engage into blue challenges – from coastal to inland, primary/secondary and vocational, including schools for disabled children.
3. Mobilise youth via eTwinning (via The European School Education Platform) between schools.

The call prioritises innovative and ambitious Blue Challenge projects that embody the core principles of blue education, focus on regional lighthouse themes (e.g. pollution in the Mediterranean, conservation in the Atlantic/Arctic, aquaculture in the Baltic), and support BlueLightS experimentation activities in selected countries. For details on the types of projects that can be submitted and topics covered, please refer to the call document.

Eligible applicants:

Eligible applicants are primary, secondary, and vocational schools (up to ISCED level 3) that are legally registered and accredited in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe associated country. Applicants must:

• Apply as a school legal entity (not as individuals).
• Either be a member of the NEBS or commit to applying for the Blue School label by the end of the project.
• Not have received previous funding from the ProBleu or SHORE projects.
• Submit their application through a school employee (e.g. teacher, principal, or project manager).
• Apply individually or as part of a consortium of eligible schools from the same country, each with legal status.