Are you burning with the fire to do something for our oceans? Do you have an idea that you want to share with the world? Would you like to receive seed funding and mentorship to make your idea a reality?We are now looking for the Young Ocean Champions 2017/8. See below for details on how to participate.

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TURNING TOURISM BLUE: HOW CAN TOURISM SAVE OUR OCEANS?

For both Mauritius and Seychelles, our oceans are part of our culture, economy and identity. We are blessed with a beautiful marine environment which provides the basis for both local and international tourism. Yearly, thousands of locals and foreign tourists flock to the sea-side to enjoy the turquoise lagoons, explore our underwater wonderlands, sample our fish and seafood gastronomy or chill out in a beachfront villa or hotel.

In honour of 2017 being the International Year of Sustainable Tourism, the focus of #SeeingBlue became is Blue Tourism, in other words, transforming tourism so that it protects, rather than harms, the ocean.

Why blue tourism?

Although tourism aids our countries and plays a key role in the development of our ocean-based economies, it is also placing increasing pressure on marine environments which are overstressed. From the rise of litter and pollution, including from beach-front facilities, to GHG emissions from flights and transportation to Mauritius and Seychelles, from the disruption caused to marine environments and ecosystems by tourism activities to the pressure on fish stocks for food - tourism poses a multi-faceted threat to the ocean.

Yet, tourism, or the concept of "blue" or sustainable tourism, can be a new paradigm for more responsible touristic activity. It would not only limit the impact of tourism on the marine environment, but can even reverse it and encourage a healthier relationship between the tourism industry, tourists (local and foreign) and the ocean.

For the third edition of #SeeingBlue, we are looking for precisely this: solutions for responsible blue tourism. We want young people to be at the forefront of defining what blue tourism looks like. So send us your ideas on blue tourism which cares for the ocean.

You have the option of submitting:

(a) A project idea - this can be a product, concept, social entreprise model, you name it!

(b) An innovative advocacy idea - not your usual 'awareness raising campaign' please! We firmly believe in youth-led advocacy on crucial issues such as the ocean's health, and as such have included this category to allow you to design a campaign or advocacy tool - but it needs to be innovative and impactful.

Read below for criteria, deadlines and further information.

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Deadline

The deadline for applying to the Young Ocean Champions Award is 15 March 2018.

Eligibility

The Young Ocean Champions Award is open to young people from Mauritius and Seychelles. There are two categories: (a) 13 - 18 year old and (b) 19 - 30 year old. You can apply eitherindividuallyon in groups ofup to five peoplein either category.

How to apply

Please fill in the project submission template below, and send it to us together with the application form that lists your contact details. You can either apply online by filling the online version of the application formHERE, by emailing us the forms on or by sending us hard copies of the forms below to:

#SeeingBlue c/o SYAH
4th Floor, Indian Ocean Commission,
Blue Tower,
Ebene, Mauritius

Please ensure that both forms (application form and project submission template) are filled correctly. Incomplete applications may be rejected.

Why participate?

#SeeingBlue is a project by young people, for young people, to empower our generation to protect the ocean. In this vein, the winning team will receive USD 1000 in prize money, as well as USD 1000 in seed funding and mentoring from experts in the ocean industry to support them in the implementation of their project. They will also be invited to the Ocean AdvocaSea bootcamp in Mauritius where they will have networking opportunities, training in project management and leadership, and the opportunity to discover the underwater world through scuba diving.

Find out more about #SeeingBlue on

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FAQs

1. Do I need to be an ocean expert to apply?

No! The objective of #SeeingBlue is to provide a platform to all young people to protect the ocean. You don’t have to be an expert in the ocean, or in the area of conservation, science or fisheries to apply but instead need to show resourcefulness, creativity, research and innovation when preparing your project submission.

2. What about intellectual property?

The project will of course, remain your sole idea.

3. I am a Mauritian / Seychellois based abroad. Can I apply?

Yes! However, your project will need to create a positive impact on the ground in Mauritius/Seychelles!

4. I live in Seychelles / Mauritius but I’m not a citizen of the country. Can I apply?

Yes! As long as your project benefits either of the countries and you’re committed to make the project a reality, you can definitely apply.

5. Can we form a mixed Seychellois-Mauritian team?

Of course! One of the aims of #SeeingBlue: Islands is to stimulate partnerships and exchanges between both islands. Be creative! You must. however, ensure that the project benefits both islands.

6. Can I submit a project which is ongoing?

Yes.

7. Which language should I submit my project in?

We’ll be focusing on impact and creativity rather than the language so no, you don’t have to write a novel but can submit a project in English, French or Creole.

8. I’ve never written a project proposal before. Can I still apply?

Absolutely yes! If you require any clarification, please contact us.

Young Ocean Champions Award 2017/8

Participation form

Kindly fill in this participation form, attach it to your project submission, and send it to us by the deadline of 15 March 2018 either via email on , or by hard copy to: #SeeingBlue c/o SYAH, 3rd Floor, Indian Ocean Commission, Blue Tower, Ebene.

Team leader
Full name (official)
This will appear on your certificate and official documents.
Date of Birth
Organisation/ Educational Institution
Nationality
Country of residence
Email address
Phone number
Address
Summary of project (max 150 words)
This will be used in official brochures and on our website.
Links to social media (optional)
Number of members in team:
Team members (details)
Full name (official)
Date of Birth
Organisation/ Educational Institution
Nationality
Country of residence
Email address
Phone number
Address
Links to social media (optional)
Full name (official)
Date of Birth
Organisation/ Educational Institution
Nationality
Country of residence
Email address
Phone number
Address
Links to social media (optional)
Full name (official)
Date of Birth
Organisation/ Educational Institution
Nationality
Country of residence
Email address
Phone number
Address
Links to social media (optional)
Full name (official)
Date of Birth
Organisation/ Educational Institution
Nationality
Country of residence
Email address
Phone number
Address
Links to social media (optional)

By participating in this competition and signing this participation form:

  1. I have read and understood the guidelines for this competition;
  2. I confirm that I am a citizen and / or resident of Mauritius/ Seychelles;
  3. Should I win, I commit to implementing the project in the timeline listed in the project submission;
  4. I commit to participating actively in the #SeeingBlue network of ocean champions;
  5. I give the permission to the organizers and partners of #SeeingBlue to use my name (and that of my team, where applicable) and my project in all relevant promotional materials.
  6. I confirm that the project submission is authentic and has not been copied, outsourced, or otherwise plagiarised.

Team leader’s signature:
…………………………………….. / Date:
………………………………………...

Project template

Please submit your project idea by using this template as guideline. The project submission must be no longer than three pages, although you may link to external media. It must address the aspects listed below.

●Name of project

●Type (whether advocacy or project)

●Description of project (what does the project address, why is it an issue and why you wish to tackle it)

●Target audience (who will be the main people to benefit from your project)

●Objectives (what impact does the project aim to achieve)

●Timeline (proposed start and end date of the project)

●Implementation plan (how exactly will you implement your project)

●Budget (how much the project will cost and how the seed funding will be used; how will you supplement the seed funding if your project cost exceeds it)

●Partners (other people involved in the project, if any)

●Challenges and risks (expected and unexpected issues which might affect your project; eg. changes in law, lack of manpower)

●Outreach strategy (how do you propose to market your project?)