NATIONAL NODE -
BELGIUM
Photo credit: Alex Vasey/Unsplash
Introducing ECOP Belgium
The Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) Belgium node is a vibrant community dedicated to taking action for our ONE Ocean, while creating and sharing opportunities in this Ocean Decade.
We are here to connect you with ocean advocates and empower you to make a difference in protecting what we love, our blue planet, the Ocean. From networking events to conservation initiatives.
What is being part of the ECOP Belgium node?
Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs) are identified as a person in the early stage of their career, in any field related to the ocean. This means less than 10 years of experience. ECOPs all have a different background. As the ECOP Belgium node, we welcome anyone passionate about the ocean to join the network.
The network can help you connect with others, seek learning opportunities or you can actively take part in events and activities organised by the node. You do not have to be a member in order to contact the node. We welcome anyone who needs advice or help on any ocean-related topics. For questions and/or suggestions, please contact the coordinators.
If you are based in Belgium, register here and join our newsletter:
Would you like to share an opportunity for ECOPs with us? Please send it to ecopbelgium@gmail.com
First ECOP gathering at InnovOcean Campus 2023: Alumni and students from the international master programmes in Belgium (IMBRSea, Oceans and Lakes, TROPIMUNDO, MAR, ECT)
Vision
Empowering the next generation of ocean professionals in Belgium to lead with innovation and transdisciplinary approaches, fostering a deep sense of diversity and inclusion, and creating a sustainable blue economy while protecting and restoring our ocean. Part of the ECOP Belgium node team at the EU Ocean Days 2026
Part of the ECOP Belgium node team at the EU Ocean Days 2026
Mission
The Early Career Ocean Professional Belgium Node is committed to contributing to the Ocean Decade by:
- Fostering Diversity and Inclusion: Creating a platform that celebrates and embraces diversity in all its forms, ensuring that voices from different backgrounds are heard and valued.
- Engaging Generations and Youth: Inspiring and empowering young professionals and future leaders to become advocates for ocean conservation and sustainable practices.
- Leveraging Expertise and Experience: Providing opportunities for both seasoned professionals and emerging talents to share knowledge, collaborate, and mentor one another.
- Spreading Ocean Passion: Sparking enthusiasm and curiosity about the ocean among all stakeholders, enhancing ocean literacy where everyone knows their relationship with the ocean and what can we do for it.
- Bridging Science and Policy: Facilitating dialogue between the scientific community and policymakers in order to collaborate towards the restoration and preservation of ocean ecosystems.
By embracing these principles and working collaboratively, we aim to create a sustainable, thriving future for our oceans and the communities that depend on it.
Priority areas
Opportunities in Belgium
This is an overview of institutions and websites that provide opportunities, based in or by Belgium or worldwide. The criteria was that they also gather different sources of opportunities for ECOPs and avoid multiple links or sources.
Institutions are clustered in four types of opportunities: Training, funding, studies, and jobs. With an extra column for diverse opportunities.
We are aware this is not an exhaustive list. Do you know of other institutions or websites that should be here? Please share with us and help ECOPs discover them:
Watch the ECOP Belgium Kick Off meeting
ECOP Belgium coordinators
Juana Jimenez
Marine biologist and a strong advocate for science-driven sustainable development. In her current position as International Liaison Officer at the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) in Belgium, she focuses on finding and implementing synergies between local, regional, and international initiatives and policies. Such as the Ocean Decade, which has fostered and strengthened bilateral and triangular cooperation. Part of her role includes the Secretariat of the National Decade Committee for Belgium and in VLIZ’s role as Decade Implementing Partner.
Arthur Deviaene
Marine biologist with a strong interest in Marine Protected Area (MPA) governance, data-driven solutions, and adaptive ecosystem management, complemented by a passion for coral restoration and marine mammals. He currently works in the Coordination & Control Department at the Flemish Government Agency for Agriculture and Fisheries (Agentschap Landbouw en Zeevisserij).
His research and project experience span the Coral Triangle and the Eastern Mediterranean, where he has contributed to multidisciplinary initiatives and fostered collaboration between researchers, fisheries, and local governments.
He is committed to translating science into practice by supporting inclusive and participatory approaches to ocean management. Alongside his research, he has actively engaged communities through organising beach and reef clean-ups, as well as snorkelling and diving initiatives, aiming to create a positive ripple effect across generations and inspire long-term ocean stewardship.
ECOP Belgium task teams
Communication Task team
The Communication Task Team amplifies the voice of early-career ocean professionals in Belgium by sharing stories, opportunities, and achievements that support the mission of the ECOP Ocean Decade Programme.
Through platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn, the team develops and applies science communication skills to promote the vision of the UN Ocean Decade, highlight ECOP-led initiatives, and showcase collaborations with partner organisations, bringing the Belgian ocean community closer together and inspiring collective action for a sustainable ocean.
Would you like to support and join this task team? Contact them via ecopbelgium@gmail.com
Meet the team
Erin Villanueva
Focus on Newsletter
Marine biologist with a strong interest in biodiversity monitoring, marine ecosystem funtioning and temporal changes in marine communities. She has reseach experience spanning the Peruvian coast and Northern Europe. Alongside her scientific work, she is passionate about science communication. She has contributed to communication initiatives through the development of educational materials, social media management, and the production of instructional content. Within ECOP Belgium, she leads the newsletter, curating and sharing opportunities, updates, and resources to strengthen connections across the early-career ocean professional community and support the goals of the Ocean Decade
Lilly Bucher
Focus on LinkedIn
She is a dedicated marine scientist and geographer, specialised in the integration of climate resilience into Maritime Spatial Planning and habitat restoration. Her work bridges the gap between scientific research and its application in policy contexts for evidence-based Ocean governance.
Her expertise spans policy analysis, science communication, and interdisciplinary research. As Junior Science Officer at the European Marine Board, she developed data-driven communication strategies to effectively connect marine science with policy discussions. She is particularly passionate about translating complex scientific concepts into clear messages for both public and professional audiences.
Driven by a mission to contribute to the sustainable management and preservation of the Ocean, Lilly approaches her work with integrity, empathy, and a holistic perspective.
Tom Janssen
Science communication advisor
Tom is a Belgian science communicator and content strategist working at the intersection of environmental storytelling, digital media, and public engagement. He supports scientists and organisations working on sustainability and systems change, with a focus on helping their work move beyond communication and toward adoption.
As founder of Creators For Climate, he develops content, workshops, and communication projects that support better public understanding of climate and environmental issues. Within ECOP Belgium, he supports the team as a science communication advisor to help strengthen how ocean stories are shared with wider audiences.
Events & Networking
The ECOP Belgium Networking group connects early-career ocean professionals across Belgium to strengthen community ties and collaboration. Through our WhatsApp group, we share ocean-related events, coordinate meetups, and organize informal gatherings like onsite seminars to foster peer-peer mentoring, exchange ideas, and build an active, supportive ECOP community.
Join the whatsApp group and propose the next meeting.
Would you like to support and join this task team? Contact them via ecopbelgium@gmail.com
Meet the team
Margarita López-Velosa
leading Events & Networking
She is a marine biologist with experience in marine conservation and science communication, having worked on projects across Europe and Colombia. She currently works as a Science Support Officer for the Decade Coordination Office for Ocean Data Sharing (DCO-ODS), part of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. As she continues to build her expertise in ocean data systems, standards, and interoperability, she focuses on helping others make their data more usable and connected, so it can be integrated into wider systems and truly make a difference in decision-making.
Dr. Rhea Thoppil
Focusing on Seminars
She is an early-career polar biologist, with a research background focused on the Southern Ocean. As an active member of ECOP Belgium, she plays a role in organising dynamic seminars and networking events that bring together ECOPs and spark collaboration across disciplines in Belgium. She is passionate about connecting science, policy and people to drive meaningful action for ocean sustainability.
Partners
- National Decade Committee of Belgium
- JPI Oceans – Lavinia Pomarico & Lisa Picatto
- Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ)
- Oceans & Lakes master programme (Vrije Universiteit Brussel, University of Ghent, University of Antwerp) – Liesbeth Pinti
- Ghent University, Marine Biology Research Group – Mario Gaitan
- IMBRSea master programme – Luana Monteiro
Do you want to be a partner? Please send across an email to both belgium@ecopdecade.org and ecopbelgium@gmail.com
