ocean tribute Award

One Ocean Planet Foundation wins Ocean Tribute Award 2026

Every year, the German Ocean Foundation and boot Düsseldorf honour environmentally friendly projects and technical innovations for a better climate and a healthier ocean.

The education project run by Spain-based One Ocean Planet is a global programme that places children and young people at the centre of ocean and climate protection. The international campaign “The Power is in Us” inspires school pupils and students to see themselves as part of the solution. It is built on three interconnected initiatives: the “University Challenge” engages Master’s students in solving real-world problems; the “Generation Blue” project combines project-based learning with Carlos Duarte’s “Ocean Wedges” and the “Planetary Boundaries” framework; and the “Hero Kids”, a youth movement that promotes early action. Together with partner organisation “10 Percent for the Ocean”, the powerful documentary Ocean with David Attenborough is screened, raising awareness in schools and communities of why tackling climate change must begin in the oceans. Because the future is blue — and it starts in our classrooms.

The following projects were also nominated for the public vote:

Iberian Orca Guardians, Spain

With their “Save the Iberian Orca” campaign, the Iberian Orca Guardians are committed to protecting one of Europe’s rarest orca populations. Pop icon Sarah Connor and conservationist Janek Andre founded the project. Only around 35 individuals remain in the waters of the Strait of Gibraltar and off the Iberian Peninsula. They are threatened by shipping traffic, illegal fishing, human aggression and invasive research. The initiative focuses on awareness-raising, sea patrols and non-invasive research. The campaign actively promotes coexistence between orcas and humans and builds bridges to the sailing community that shares the same habitat. Through documentation, international media work and educational projects, the Iberian Orca Guardians raise awareness of the animals’ critical situation.

Their goal is to secure long-term protection for Iberian orcas and preserve them as part of Europe’s natural and cultural heritage.

Marinecultures.org, Switzerland/Zanzibar

The oceans are under immense pressure: climate change, overfishing and pollution threaten coral reefs, which are hotspots of biodiversity. Healthy reefs provide food, coastal protection and habitats, making their preservation vital for both people and marine life. Since 2008, marinecultures.org has been operating coral farms in Zanzibar and on the Tanzanian mainland. Each farm maintains 40 coral tables and replants up to 10,000 corals per year on degraded reefs. This restoration increases biodiversity and creates new habitats for fish, leading to long-term growth in fish populations. In addition, marinecultures.org and its partners are developing the innovative larval propagation project — the sexual reproduction of corals — to promote genetically diverse and more resilient reefs. Sustainable sponge farming has also been established as an environmentally friendly aquaculture method. Sponges filter seawater, improve reef health and provide women’s cooperatives with a stable income. In this way, sponge farms combine ecological impact with social empowerment and offer a sustainable alternative to fishing.

Sailing Insieme/F2 Eco, Austria

F2 Eco is a consistently environmentally friendly antifouling alternative: an extremely hard, smooth coating that prevents marine growth and can be easily cleaned mechanically when needed — without releasing toxins into the environment. F2 Eco contains no biocides, silicone, PFAS/PTFE, VOCs or other toxins. There is no leaching and no need for annual repainting: a single application provides protection for at least five years, significantly reducing material and labour costs. F2 Eco is visually high-quality and can also be used as osmosis and propeller protection. It is suitable for GRP, aluminium, steel and wood. Its use reduces the release of pollutants and microplastics in marinas, coastal waters and inland waterways.

Turtle Foundation, Cabo Verde

On the Cape Verdean island of Boa Vista, the Foundation protects the endangered loggerhead turtle, whose nesting beaches are among the most important worldwide. Local rangers and international volunteers protect nesting females from poaching during egg-laying. At the same time, teams clean beaches from plastic waste, which is processed into sustainable products through the LixoLimpo upcycling initiative. Educational programmes, workshops and swimming lessons for children in particular promote environmental awareness: by gaining confidence in the sea, children develop a personal connection and a sense of responsibility for the oceans. By involving schools, volunteers and partner organisations, a network is created that passes on knowledge, encourages engagement and generates long-term positive impacts on coastal ecosystems. The project combines species conservation, education and community involvement, making the importance of healthy oceans tangible for both people and nature.