Author: elcuser

We’re thrilled to announce our next CoastalPro Masterclass, designed to inspire and guide our participants and alumni as they develop their final projects.

CoastalPro Masterclass – April 29, 2025

Masterclass Title: Sustainable Tourism Practices

Organized by: ISD-EPLO in collaboration with CoastalPro

📅 Date: Tuesday 29th April 2025

⏰ Time: 11.00 – 13.00 CET / 12.00 – 14.00 Greek time

Format: Online – Registration Link: Sustainable Tourism Practices

A European Maritime Day in My Country event

Keynote Speakers

• Debbie Richardson, Sustainable Leader at Oman Sail
• Allard Marx, CEO, AETHIC
• Spyros Kouvelis, Board Member, EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters / Director, Institute for Sustainable Development – EPLO
• Konstantinos Galatsopoulos, Surf Club Keros
• Christina Deligianni, CEO, Verimpact / Policy and Programs Director, Institute for Sustainable Development – EPLO
• Konstantinos Triantafillis, General Manager, Mindhaus

The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion, and a Q&A.

Background and Rationale

In the context of the EMFF-funded project, CoastalPro, the Institute for Sustainable Development – EPLO and its partners will be organizing a two-hour masterclass on sustainable tourism practices, featuring an introduction to Sustainability and ESG, a presentation on Branding and presentations by and discussion with prominent industry figures from coastal tourism.

The objectives of the webinar include:

This two-hour masterclass, organized under the EU-funded CoastalPro project by the Institute for Sustainable Development – EPLO and its partners, aims to raise awareness, build capacity, and encourage knowledge exchange around sustainable tourism practices in coastal regions.

The event will serve as an introductory platform for tourism professionals, local stakeholders, and businesses to explore:

• Core principles of Sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) as they apply to coastal tourism;
• Effective branding strategies that align with sustainability values and enhance the appeal and competitiveness of coastal destinations;
• Real-world insights and practical experiences shared by leading figures from the coastal tourism industry, providing participants with concrete examples and inspiration;
• An interactive discussion, fostering dialogue between experts and participants to explore challenges, best practices, and collaborative opportunities.

The masterclass supports the broader goals of the CoastalPro project to promote environmentally responsible, socially inclusive, and economically viable coastal tourism, in line with EU Blue Economy and Green Transition objectives.

Agenda

(120 Minutes)

11.00 – 11.05 CET | Welcome Remarks

Moderator: Marina Deligianni, Training and Community Manager, Institute for Sustainable Development, EPLO

• Welcome participants and present the objectives of the workshop.

11.05 – 11.15 | CoastalPro Project Intro by Odysseas Spyroglou, Project Coordinator, CoastalPro

🌱 Sustainability & ESG in Tourism

11.15 – 11.20 | Mission Ocean by Spyros Kouvelis, Board Member EU Mission Ocean-  Director Institute for Sustainable Development, EPLO

11.20 – 11.25 | Introduction to Sustainability and ESG by Christina Deligianni, Policy and Programs Director, Institute for Sustainable Development, EPLO

11.25 – 11.30 | Q&A Session

🍃 Sustainable Practices in Tourism

11.30 – 11.40  | 10 min presentation by Debbie Richardson, Oman Sail

11.40 – 11.50  | 10 min presentation by Allard Marx, AETHIC

11.50 – 12.00  | 10 min Panel discussion

12.00 – 12.10  | Q&A Session

💡 Branding, Strategy & the Future of Coastal Tourism

12.10 – 12.20 | 10 min presentation by Konstantinos Galatsopoulos, Surf Club Keros

12.20 – 12.40 | 20 min presentation by Konstantinos Triantafillis, General Manager, Mindhaus

12.40 –12.50 | 10 min Panel discussion

12.50 – 13.00 | Q&A Session

🗓️ Mark your calendars and join us!

#CoastalPro #Masterclass #BlueCareers #SustainableTourism #AdventureTourism #ESG #Branding #CoastalInnovation #GamifiedLearning

On March 18, 2025, CoastalPro successfully hosted its first onboarding webinar for its brand-new Affiliation and Partnership Program, bringing together stakeholders from the world of coastal tourism, vocational education, and sustainability.

Led by Project Coordinator Odysseas Spyroglou, the session offered a deep dive into CoastalPro’s online academy and its innovative, gamified learning model designed to enhance entrepreneurship and next-generation skills in coastal tourism.

💡 What the Webinar Covered

🧭 Overview of the CoastalPro Partnership Model

Participants learned how VET providers, colleges, tourism businesses, and sustainability stakeholders can integrate with CoastalPro’s platform—adding content, offering custom programs, and collaborating in EU-funded activities.

🎓 Benefits of Becoming a Partner

• Free access to CoastalPro’s gamified platform
• Opportunities to co-create training material and live events
• Custom versions of the learning platform for your school or organization
• Micro-credentials and certifications to boost learners’ employability
• Promotion and visibility through CoastalPro’s community and network

🤝 Next Steps to Join

1. Explore the platform via a demo account
2. Discuss and sign a non-exclusive Memorandum of Understanding
3. Engage your learners and network in the upcoming learning cycle
4. Collaborate in future content creation and EU project activities

🌍 Who Attended

The webinar welcomed educators, VET trainers, tourism professionals, and destination management stakeholders from across Europe, all sharing a common goal: to enhance skills and sustainability in coastal tourism.

📅 Couldn’t make it?

No worries! You can watch the session and access the presentation.

Moreover, you can explore our course and if you want to learn more contact our coordinator: [email protected].

#CoastalPro #AffiliationProgram #BlueCareers #SustainableTourism #VET #Partnerships #GameBasedLearning

On March 18, 2025, CoastalPro successfully hosted its first onboarding webinar for its brand-new Affiliation and Partnership Program, bringing together stakeholders from the world of coastal tourism, vocational education, and sustainability.

Led by Project Coordinator Odysseas Spyroglou, the session offered a deep dive into CoastalPro’s online academy and its innovative, gamified learning model designed to enhance entrepreneurship and next-generation skills in coastal tourism.

💡 What the Webinar Covered

🧭 Overview of the CoastalPro Partnership Model

Participants learned how VET providers, colleges, tourism businesses, and sustainability stakeholders can integrate with CoastalPro’s platform—adding content, offering custom programs, and collaborating in EU-funded activities.

🎓 Benefits of Becoming a Partner

• Free access to CoastalPro’s gamified platform
• Opportunities to co-create training material and live events
• Custom versions of the learning platform for your school or organization
• Micro-credentials and certifications to boost learners’ employability
• Promotion and visibility through CoastalPro’s community and network

🤝 Next Steps to Join

1. Explore the platform via a demo account
2. Discuss and sign a non-exclusive Memorandum of Understanding
3. Engage your learners and network in the upcoming learning cycle
4. Collaborate in future content creation and EU project activities

🌍 Who Attended

The webinar welcomed educators, VET trainers, tourism professionals, and destination management stakeholders from across Europe, all sharing a common goal: to enhance skills and sustainability in coastal tourism.

📅 Couldn’t make it?

No worries! You can watch the session and access the presentation.

Moreover, you can explore our course and if you want to learn more contact our coordinator: [email protected].

#CoastalPro #AffiliationProgram #BlueCareers #SustainableTourism #VET #Partnerships #GameBasedLearning

Webinar on World Water Day 2025

Athens, March 17, 2025

In celebration of World Water Day 2025, Verimpact and the Institute for Sustainable Development – EPLO, in collaboration with the EU-funded projects, NEUROCLIMA and CoastalPro, are organizing a webinar on “The Hydrosphere in Focus: Safeguarding Water for a Sustainable Future”.

World Water Day 2025 highlights the critical role of water in sustaining life on Earth, aligning with the UN Ocean Decade Action for Water. As water scarcity, pollution, and climate change-related events intensify globally, it is essential to elevate discussions about Hydrosphere’s sustainable management.

Event Details:
📅 Thursday 27 March, 2025
🕑 14:00-15:00 CET / 15:00-16:00 Greek time

Free Registration Link:

Online Webinar: The Hydrosphere in Focus

Keynote Speakers:

• Pascal Lamy, Chairman, EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters (TBC)
• Frank Schweikert, Board Member, EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters

Speakers:

• Spyros Kouvelis, Board Member, EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters / Director, Institute for Sustainable Development – EPLO
• Christina Deligianni, CEO, Verimpact / Policy and Programs Director, Institute for Sustainable Development – EPLO

The objectives of the webinar include:

• Raise awareness about the challenges of water preservation.
• Highlight innovative solutions for hydrosphere protection.
• Showcase collaborative efforts from the EU and international partners.

The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion, and a Q&A.

We’re excited to announce the launch of new learning cohorts for CoastalPro Quest, our game-based learning experience in sustainable coastal tourism and entrepreneurship! Whether you’re just getting started or picking up where you left off—now is the perfect time to dive back in.

🔁 Rejoin the Journey

⏳ Paused your progress? Resume your training and continue earning points toward exclusive rewards.

📂 Missed a project? Submission windows are open again—don’t miss the chance to complete your work and stay on track for certification.

🏁 For Module 6 Participants

You’re almost there! Complete your Final Survey and claim your Certificate of Completion. Finishing strong could also secure your spot for incredible prizes!

🎁 Rewards include:

• Full-board trips to Surf Club Keros in Greece 🏄‍♂️
• A one-week internship in the Canary Islands 🌴
• Access to the Blue Economy Masterclass

👉 Resume your training now and join a new cohort of learners passionate about innovation, sustainability, and the future of coastal tourism.

📲 Start or continue your journey at CoastalPro!

#CoastalPro #BlueCareers #SustainableTourism #GamifiedLearning #Entrepreneurship #CoastalTraining #EUProjects #NextGenSkills

The 2025 edition of EU Ocean Days in Brussels has once again served as a major milestone in shaping the future of Europe’s blue economy. Over the course of multiple days during March 3-7, 2025, the CoastalPro team, namely the project coordinator, Odysseas Spyroglou, and the Institute for Sustainable – EPLO (ISD/EPLO), Marina-Argyri Deligianni and Christina Deligianni, met with policymakers, industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders and discussed the progress of coastal and coastal tourism initiatives, emphasizing sustainable development, investment, and governance.

Among the key highlights have been the EU Ocean Pact, the European Blue Forum, BlueInvest, and Mission Ocean’s advancements, demonstrating the European Commission’s commitment to ocean restoration, sustainable economic growth, and resilience against climate challenges, putting citizens first. CoastalPro played an active role from day one of the European Ocean Days, participating in most events aimed at accelerating sustainable solutions in tourism and fostering collaboration. Most of the discussions the team had centered on:

• Scaling up sustainable coastal tourism practices
• Strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration
• Ensuring accessibility to local communities and citizens

The team also attended the inaugural event on the EU Ocean Pact, an initiative driven by the Oceano Azul Foundation and Europe Jacques Delors, hosted by POLITICO Europe.Of particular significance was the contribution of Spyros Kouvelis, Director of ISD/EPLO and Mission Ocean Board Member, to the EU Ocean Pact. As noted by Commissioner Costas Kadis, the Pact is currently in the consultation phase, featuring seven strategic pillars linked to EU competitiveness and sustainable growth.

The CoastalPro project has recently become a signatory of the Mission Ocean Charter through the Institute for Sustainable Development – EPLO initiative on ocean literacy. With many partnerships forged and discussions for affiliation opportunities during the European Ocean Week, CoastalPro is poised to bridge the gap between advanced policy and actionable implementation in tourism, a blue economy sector that is becoming all the more important, ensuring that coastal regions and communities are not only protected but also thrive economically and environmentally through sustainable coastal tourism practices.

Key Takeaways from the Week

🌊 Day 1: Collaborative Action for Water & Ocean Solutions

Our partner Christina Deligianni (EPLO/ISD) participated in discussions on EU-funded water restoration initiatives, showcasing best practices for collaboration and community engagement. The day also featured the launch of the #EUOceanPact, a major policy initiative to enhance ocean governance.

💡 Day 2: Scaling Blue Economy Innovations

The Mission Ocean & Waters Forum gathered 1,800 experts, highlighting Horizon Europe funding and new strategies for marine sustainability, ecosystem resilience, and blue investments. Policymakers reinforced the need for an OceanUnion approach, integrating governance, research, and industry cooperation.

📈 Day 3: BlueInvest & Economic Growth in the Sector

The focus shifted to startups and investors, emphasizing impact-driven innovation. Sessions included networking with entrepreneurs and key investors in the field, discussing the financial and policy landscape for blue economy businesses.

💰 Day 4: The Growth of Blue Investments

The second part of #BlueInvestDay by #DGMare focused on impact-driven investments in the blue economy. With almost 300 ocean investors now engaged, discussions centered on the sector’s rapid growth and new opportunities. Highlights included:

• Engagement with #OceanFunds and #ImpactInvestors, with support from PwC Luxembourg and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
• Showcasing two Greek start-ups: SciDrones P.C. Spinoff, led by Kostas Topouzelis, and Nature4Nature Technologies, founded by Dr. Antonis Livieratos.
• The continued promotion of the #BlueChampions initiative in Greece, with an upcoming announcement on the Blue Economy ecosystem.

🌍 Day 5: Marine Knowledge & Ocean Data for the Future

The event concluded with in-depth discussions on marine data and automation, with experts from OECD, CINEA, and the European Commission highlighting the role of sustained marine data flows in reducing industry costs, supporting the AI economy, and stabilizing financial risks in ocean-related industries.

What’s Next?

CoastalPro and EPLO/ISD will continue to work on blue careers development, policy engagement, and sustainable tourism training. Stay tuned for more updates and future collaborations!

📢 Join the conversation! Follow our journey in our website and social media.

#CoastalPro #BlueEconomy #EUOceanDays2025 #SustainableTourism #BlueCareers #BlueInvest