Since 2019 we have been conducting free online environmental literacy, leadership, and advocacy training programs for youth and conducting special webinars. These are designed for youth, ages 16-23 but open to any young person.

Each four-week program includes a one-hour session each weekend.  Since 2020, these and related training programs have drawn approximately 5,000 youth from more than 140 countries around the world. For 2026, we are looking to connect youth, both geographically and by issue area, to create more synergies for the seas!

Click here to subscribe to our monthly youth newsletter, Rising Blue Network Newsletter, to receive info about events and opportunities, and announcements about upcoming training programs and webinars. The newsletter goes out the first week of each month.

The training sessions help youth learn about the major issues facing our ocean and climate. Sessions build upon and refine the existing advocacy skills of attendees, integrate civic learning, and encourage strengthened collaborative conservation action - locally, nationally, and globally. The training program is continually evolving, shaped by experienced leaders working in ocean and climate and alumni of the World Ocean Day Youth Advisory Council. Each session includes co-leaders - with a youth leader and a more seasoned professional for an intergenerational approach - and youth can be connected by interest area and/or geography following each session to ensure ongoing collaboration.

Click here to watch recorded episodes from previous trainings and webinars (via our World Ocean Day YouTube channel).

Here's an overview of each of the sessions:

Session 1 - The Ocean-Climate Connection

• Focuses on understanding the crucial role that advocating for ocean conservation plays in addressing the climate crises. This session emphasizes the challenges and explores potential solutions to bridging the gap in understanding and awareness of this connection to decision makers and the public. Attendees will be inspired and motivated to contribute actively to the movement.

Session 2 - Event Planning & Fundraising

• Focuses on demonstrating what it takes to plan an event or campaign - from recruiting the right people to your team, where to look for funding and how to get it, and engaging with your community for a lasting impact. Attendees will learn tangible principles, tips, and how-tos on planning effective events and fundraising that they can pass along to their communities.

Session 3 - Social Media & Communications

• Focuses on how to develop proper messaging for conservation campaigns including formulating calls-to-action for social media, writing op-eds, letters, and other types of communication. Attendees will learn how to effectively communicate campaign goals and progress to diverse audiences, and strategies for utilizing various platforms to connect with these audiences.

Session 4 - Campaign Organizing

• Focuses on the importance of organizing campaigns and events in partnership and collaboration with others. Attendees will walk away with a better understanding of how to build collective power within a movement, with the capacity to make a bigger impact than if individuals acted on their own.

Read youth testimonials from previous sessions here.