This story is a part of the GenOcean campaign — an official Ocean Decade campaign showcasing Decade Actions, collaborating organizations and ocean leaders that focus on youth and citizen science opportunities to help anyone, anywhere be the change the ocean needs.
At the dawn of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030, the Ocean Decade, a powerful idea emerged from an overlooked gap. During the First Global Planning Meeting in May 2019, hosted by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission – the Decade’s coordinating agency – in Copenhagen, Denmark, a group of early-career ocean professionals (ECOPs) recognized the lack of representation of their peers in shaping the future of ocean science. Refusing to be sidelined or tokenized, they united to ensure that the next generation of ocean leaders had a voice at the table. Their call for inclusion, equity and global collaboration sparked the creation of the ECOP Programme – an initiative built on the belief that diverse, early-career perspectives are essential to drive transformative change throughout the Ocean Decade and beyond.
While ECOPs were already tackling many of the Decade Challenges individually, it wasn’t until the establishment of the ECOP Programme that they had the structure and intention to set out on that mission as a community. As part of the programme, ECOPs are involved in thematic task teams, hubs and projects in diverse fields contributing to the Ocean Decade all around the world. Since its establishment in 2021, the community has grown exponentially. The original group of 42 ECOPs now boasts over 6,800 members in 166 countries across the globe!
“It’s exciting to see how much we have accomplished since 2021,” says Evgeniia Kostianaia, Global Coordinator of the ECOP Programme. “In 2020 we were working as a small informal group of ECOPs and now we are a large international community. We’re connecting people, fostering cooperation and sharing and providing opportunities for networking, capacity development, funding and career-building. We saw the need to create one platform for early-career researchers where they could get vital information to be able to succeed in their ocean careers, and we filled it. Looking back, we have come a long way to achieve this, and I am excited about the future of the programme.”
What is an ECOP?
An ECOP is a person that self-identifies as being early in their career, within 10 years or less of professional experience in any field related to the ocean. This definition includes post-secondary students and any volunteer roles, as well as employed/paid positions. The term “professional” is used in order to be inclusive of professionals from many different sectors of society, language integral in accomplishing the mission of including as many diverse voices as possible in the programme.
“We don’t put an age range on the community, because it’s less about age and more about where they are in their careers,” says Natalie Fox, Communications Coordinator for the ECOP Programme. “This allows the network to be extremely diverse, across ages, experience levels and niches within ocean activism spaces and geographic regions. Our community includes scientists, conservationists, storytellers, artists, entrepreneurs, engineers, lawyers and educators all connected by their career stage and investment in protecting the ocean.”
Why does the ECOP Programme exist?
The ECOP Programme was created with a bold and inclusive vision for the future of ocean science with key objectives that empower the next generation of ocean leaders:
- Build a global ECOP network to foster cross-disciplinary, cross-sector and cross-geographic collaboration in support of the Ocean Decade’s goals. ECOPs have the opportunity to join online and in-person networking events to strengthen their community of ocean professionals.
- Amplify the voices of ECOPs worldwide and ensure their participation in ocean sustainability dialogues, especially within Ocean Decade initiatives. ECOPs are featured across campaigns including ECOP Stories, ECOP Conversations, “My coastline” and targeted campaigns for endorsement anniversaries, World Ocean Day and Ocean Literacy initiatives.
- Promote professional development by identifying, sharing and creating career-building opportunities, including trainings and activities under their Blue Capacity Development and Ocean Literacy for Blue Citizenship projects and ECOP mentoring programmes. The ECOP Programme shares resources through node coordinators, email lists and social media platforms to distribute information quickly and efficiently to engage more diverse and distinct groups in the ocean sector.
- Ensure representation of ECOPs in working groups and decision-making structures guiding Ocean Decade activities. ECOPs informed the Vision 2030 process and are invited to working groups and other high-level decision-making groups to actualize their engagement in ocean science. ECOPs have contributed to many regional and national reports that support ocean science decision-making around the globe.
- Secure sustainable funding for ECOP-led initiatives during the Ocean Decade and into the future. The network is a go-to hub for funding opportunities, jobs, collaborations and internships for ECOPs at these transformative stages in their career.
“It’s important for this particular group of professionals to have a community they can rely on,” says Fox. “It’s an integral period of growth where you are really figuring out how you want to show up in your field and how to contribute to the things that matter most to you. But, when you are just starting in your career, there are many challenges to navigate, and a good support network is vital. The ECOP Programme was started to strengthen the network of ECOPs to provide that support and empower them as valued leaders in decision making.”
Why should you get involved? Hear it from the ECOPs themselves!
We asked a few ECOPs to share how participating in the programme has impacted their personal and professional development.
“Being part of the ECOP Programme helped me find job and capacity development opportunities and to work and connect with inspiring and like-minded professionals from around the world through the Ocean Literacy task team and the different networking events organized by the programme,” says Laura Khatib, ECOP member from Lebanon. “There are quite a few instances during which I got the opportunity to share the work I am doing through my NGO, and exchange experiences and tips with other ECOPs. Being an active member of the ECOP Programme has also given me the opportunity to co-organize events for the Barcelona Ocean Decade Conference and the upcoming UNOC3, which are amazing learning experiences.”
“Through the Pacific ECOP Programme, I was fortunate to receive a job placement opportunity with the Government of Vanuatu,” says Nazymento Sine, ECOP member from Vanuatu. “As an ECOP in this network, I developed key diplomacy and negotiation skills, which are crucial when working with diverse stakeholders in places like Vanuatu. For instance, during our work with the Laone Lamalana Traditional Marine Protected Area, we engaged with community chiefs using traditional governance systems to gain their support. These experiences taught me how to communicate respectfully, navigate cultural sensitivities and build consensus for sustainable marine conservation. The programme also gave me confidence to step into leadership roles, contribute meaningfully to discussions and better understand the importance of balancing modern conservation practices with local knowledge to ensure long-term impact in our Pacific communities.”
The benefits of the ECOP Programme not only support each individual’s personal and professional goals in ocean activism, they also support the birth of new local community leaders, inspiring others to care and protect our blue planet.
“The determination we, as young ocean professionals, have to participate in regional and international events shape us into valuable assets to our country,” says Therese Aliklik, ECOP member from Nauru. “Through the Pacific ECOP network, I have become more motivated and determined to contribute to my country’s efforts toward ocean sustainability. I’ve communicated with the fisheries department, inquiring about Nauru’s initiatives using coral plantations as conservation tools for marine life. While some of the original plantations were not executed because of lack of funding, I see how I can leverage the ECOP network and resources to reach interested donors to aid in the development of coral restoration in Nauru.”
Get Involved with the ECOP Programme
If you’re looking for a job, support for a project, a community to boost your confidence or the skills and network you need to make a difference in the world of ocean science, look no further!
Ready to join the club? For more information on all things ECOP and to join the programme’s global network, check out their website.
Read more GenOcean stories on our webpage.
