FLAGSHIP PROGRAMMES
National Network
Slovenia
Address
Seča 112, 6320 PortorožCountry
City
PortorozProvince
Slovenska IstraMobile Phone
+38641502616Telephone
0038641502616Telephone (other)
+38651362922E-Mail (2)
modrasola@yoursea.orgE-Mail (3)
irena@yoursea.orgE-Mail (4)
diana@yoursea.orgWebsite
Click HereYear of Establishment
2021Contact Person1
Irena FondaJob Title 1
CEOContact Person 2
Diana RicoJob Title 2
Scientific LeadOrganisation Type
Non-Governmental OrganizationFields of Activity
Environment/Sustainable development, Research, Youth and educationGeneral Information
YouSea Institute is a Slovenian non-profit organisation dedicated to marine biodiversity conservation, ocean literacy and community engagement. It is led by a director and operates with three additional full-time staff members, supported by a multidisciplinary network of scientific experts, educators, artists, volunteers and project partners. Its annual operating resources amount to approximately EUR 192,000, generated through national and EU-funded projects, sponsorships, donations and service-based activities. The Institute implements educational programmes, participatory workshops, citizen-science initiatives, public awareness campaigns, exhibitions, expert seminars, international exchanges, coastal clean-ups and marine ecosystem restoration projects. Its work connects environmental protection with education, culture, intercultural dialogue and active citizenship. Main partners include the Marine Biology Station Piran – National Institute of Biology, the Science and Research Centre Koper, University of Primorska, Slovenian coastal municipalities, schools, protected-area managers, civil-society organisations and responsible private-sector partners, including its general sponsor BAUHAUS Slovenia and SPAR Slovenia.
Mission and Objectives
Mission
YouSea Institute’s mission is to protect marine biodiversity and strengthen people’s relationship with the sea through science, education, culture and active community participation. The Institute seeks to make knowledge about the marine environment accessible, relevant and capable of inspiring responsible action across generations and communities.
Objectives
Its objectives are to increase ocean literacy; involve children, young people, educators and local communities in marine conservation; support citizen science and participatory decision-making; develop innovative approaches to ecosystem restoration; promote the sustainable use of marine resources; and connect environmental protection with cultural heritage, creativity and social inclusion. Through national and international cooperation, YouSea aims to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and practices among organisations, experts and communities across the Mediterranean, encourage intercultural dialogue around shared environmental challenges, and empower people to contribute actively to a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable Euro-Mediterranean region.
Main Projects / Activities
YouSea Institute implements projects that combine marine conservation, education, culture and community participation. Its flagship initiative, Sea Oasis Piran, develops and monitors underwater structures designed to support marine biodiversity and ecosystem restoration. Through the Blue Schools programme, the Institute provides workshops, educational materials and field activities that strengthen ocean literacy among children, young people and educators. Citizen-science initiatives, including Povezani za morje, enable the public to report observations and contribute to marine research and protection. YouSea also organises coastal and seabed clean-ups, awareness campaigns, participatory exhibitions, artistic projects and sustainable marine experiences. Within iM:PACT – Innovations for the Mediterranean, YouSea works with civil-society organisations, foundations and research institutions from Mediterranean countries to develop collaborative solutions for sustainable development, strengthen youth participation, connect local initiatives with Mediterranean and European policies, and exchange knowledge and good practices. Its other international activities include ecosystem monitoring, stakeholder engagement, seminars, training and cross-border cooperation.
How can you contribute to the Network in your country?
YouSea Institute can contribute to the Slovenian Network by bringing a strong environmental, scientific and Mediterranean perspective to its activities. We can share expertise and practical methodologies in ocean literacy, citizen science, youth participation, community engagement and marine biodiversity conservation. We can organise or host workshops, seminars, study visits, public events and participatory activities that use shared environmental challenges as a basis for dialogue and cooperation among people from different cultural and professional backgrounds.
Through our partnerships with schools, researchers, municipalities, protected-area managers, civil-society organisations and responsible companies, we can help expand the Network’s outreach, particularly in Slovenia’s coastal region. We can also support communication and dissemination activities and contribute to the development of joint national and Euro-Mediterranean projects. Through our participation in i:MPACT project enables us to share knowledge from international Mediterranean cooperation, strengthen youth participation and connect Slovenian initiatives with partners and good practices from across the region.
Why do you want to join the ALF Network?
YouSea Institute wants to join the ALF Network to strengthen cooperation with civil-society organisations in Slovenia and across the Euro-Mediterranean region, while contributing an environmental and marine perspective to intercultural dialogue. The Mediterranean Sea is a shared natural and cultural space, and the challenges affecting it cannot be addressed without cooperation among countries, communities and generations.
Membership would enable us to build long-term partnerships, exchange knowledge and participatory methods, develop joint projects and connect our local work with broader Euro-Mediterranean initiatives. We would also like to share our experience in ocean literacy, citizen science, youth participation, community-based conservation, participatory art and public engagement.
Through the Network, we hope to create new opportunities for young people, educators, researchers, artists and coastal communities to meet, learn from one another and cooperate. We see ALF as a platform for transforming concern for the sea into dialogue, mutual understanding and collective action.
Additional Information
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