Meet the Winners of the OceanLove Innovation Award 2025
The future of ocean innovation took center stage in Barcelona, November 6, 2025, as the OceanLove Innovation Award 2025 unveiled its newest cohort of trailblazing winners. The announcement was made during a dynamic ceremony at Tomorrow. Blue Economy World Congress—a flagship component of the Smart City Expo World Congress—welcomed more than 25,000 attendees from across the globe.
Now in its second edition, the award has rapidly emerged as the world’s most expansive platform dedicated exclusively to ocean-related innovation.
A Record-Breaking Year for Global Ocean Solutions
OceanLove’s mission—to inspire grassroots and scientific solutions that protect marine ecosystems—reached new heights this year. The 2025 awards attracted 260 submissions from 64 countries, representing an extraordinary mix of ideas spanning community empowerment, waste management, habitat restoration, and ocean literacy.
A distinguished jury of international scientists, conservationists, and environmental activists reviewed each submission, volunteering their time to identify projects with the greatest potential to influence the future of our oceans.
Introducing the 2025 Award Winners
The 2025 winners reflect a remarkable breadth of innovation, cultural context, and environmental impact:
1st Prize – Reconnecting with Vanua (Fiji)
Applicant: Vartul: The Learning Circle / Naidiri Marine Biodiversity Park
Grant: €10,000
A community-rooted initiative that strengthens cultural ties to marine heritage while advancing biodiversity conservation.
2nd Prize – Turning River Waste into Opportunities (VeryNile), Egypt
Applicant: VeryNile Team
Grant: €5,000
A pioneering model that transforms river pollution into economic opportunity through large-scale waste recovery and upcycling.
3rd Prize – Matumbawe Hai: Revitalizing Livelihoods in SOMAKI-CFMA, Tanzania
Applicant: Husna Amimu Msola
Grant: €3,000
An initiative empowering coastal communities to restore marine life while enhancing local livelihoods.
4th Prize – Kick-Out the Debris: Youth-Led Action for Marine Biodiversity Protection, Cameroon
Applicant: Che Divine Nsoh / Association for Community Awareness
Grant: €2,000
A youth-driven program mobilizing education and action to combat marine litter and protect regional biodiversity.
5th Prize – Sustainable Network Egypt, Egypt
Applicant: Nadine Wahab
Grant: €1,000
A fast-growing network promoting sustainable living, marine education, and community-led conservation initiatives.
Encouragement Prize – Climate Pod Project (Cyprus)
Grant: €1,000
Recognized for its innovative approach to climate education and youth engagement.
Global Voices Calling for Urgent Action
This year’s ceremony featured inspiring contributions from some of the world’s most influential ocean advocates.
Dr. Sylvia Earle, renowned marine biologist and founder of Mission Blue, delivered a message underscoring the importance of supporting early-stage innovators. Paul Polman, leading sustainability champion and former Unilever CEO, echoed the urgency of accelerating ocean-centered solutions that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The keynote address was delivered by Jenny Krusoe, Executive Vice President, COO, and Founder of AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles. She emphasized the need for global collaboration to cultivate and scale transformative ocean innovations. Krusoe also announced that AltaSea will host next year’s edition of the OceanLove Innovation Award in Los Angeles—a symbolic next step in the organization’s global journey.
A special message from Peter Thomson, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean, highlighted the rapidly escalating threats facing marine ecosystems:
Our ocean action work is becoming ever more urgent… We must curb greenhouse gas emissions, stop plastic and chemical pollution, cease harmful fisheries practices, and protect marine biodiversity… As a citizen of Fiji, I’m very proud that this year’s winner comes from my home country. Vinaka vaka levu.”
His address reinforced the profound global relevance of this year’s winning projects.
OceanLove’s 2026–2030 Vision
OceanLove is already looking beyond 2025, setting bold goals for the remainder of the decade. Between 2026 and 2030, the organization aims to:
- Receive 1,000+ applications from 130+ countries
- Establish OceanLove Ambassadors in nearly every nation
- Expand the depth, quality, and scientific rigor of submissions
Future editions of the award will be organized into four thematic categories, spotlighting innovation in:
- Tackling Plastic Pollution
- Restoring Marine Life & Sustainable Fisheries
- Empowering Communities & Ocean Literacy
- Nature-Based Carbon Capture & Climate Solutions
Geographically, the ceremony will continue its global rotation: following The Hague (2024) and Barcelona (2025), it will move to Los Angeles in 2026 and Cairo in 2027, symbolizing OceanLove’s commitment to worldwide collaboration.
About OceanLove
Founded in 2021 by Dutch social entrepreneur Ilco van der Linde and led operationally by Egyptian freediver Raghda Ezzeldin, OceanLove operates through a passionate volunteer network of ambassadors, experts, judges, and advisors.
The OceanLove Innovation Award is endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and collaborates with leading international institutions, including:
- Marine Biological Association (UK)
- Mission Blue (USA)
- ECHT Community (Netherlands)
- Afrilabs & KMT House (Egypt)
- Perempuan Indonesia Maju (Indonesia)
- MasterPeace Global Network
The award is funded by the Fred Foundation (Netherlands), Stichting Nieuwe Waarde, and the OOF Foundation, whose continued support enables its rapid global expansion.
The OceanLove Innovation Award 2025 highlights the extraordinary capacity of local communities, entrepreneurs, and young leaders to reshape the future of our oceans. As the urgency to safeguard marine ecosystems intensifies, these winning initiatives serve as powerful reminders that meaningful solutions—rooted in creativity, science, and community—are already emerging around the world.
Meet the Winners of the OceanLove Innovation Award 2025
