national NODE -
spain
Photo credit: Photo by Daniel Boberg on Unsplash
ECOP Spain is the Spanish network for the
Global ECOP Programme, endorsed by the UN Ocean Decade
Introducing ECOP Spain
The marine science community in Spain is currently fragmented and specialized, lacking a centralized structure to unite individuals from various backgrounds and sectors. Despite the interest of young people in ocean conservation, there is a need for an inclusive and transdisciplinary approach. To address this, the establishment of a network of ECOPs (Early Career Ocean Professionals) in Spain is crucial. This network would serve as a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange among scientists, the private-public sector, and civil society. By bringing together individuals from different sectors to work towards a common goal, we can make significant progress in ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of the oceans.
Who is an ECOP in Spain?
All Spanish citizens or residents in Spain who self-identify as being early in their career (10 years or less of professional experience) within any occupation related to the ocean (not only employed/paid positions).
Why empower ECOPs in Spain now?
Spain has a very close relationship with the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, and there are several initiatives to seize:
- Ocean Decade Conference in Barcelona in 2024.
- Promotion of the Blue Economy at national and international level.
- European Commission Horizon EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters.
- Innovations all over the world focusing on startups developing solutions for the ocean and climate change.
Vision and Mission
The goal is to create a community of practice which is a network of ECOPs who take part in collective learning where each individual shares their knowledge with others in the group:
- Create meaningful networking.
- Engage with different partners at national level and public and private level.
- Enhance talent (both learning and career) opportunities.
- Organize workshops, courses and talks.
- Promote innovation in the marine and ocean field.
- Reach policy-makers to have our needs listened to, and become involved in the policy making process.
Take part in the survey for ECOP Spain
ECOP Spain has just released a survey aiming to reach a larger number of ocean professionals across Spain and the Mediterranean, and further our understanding of the diverse needs and priorities of ECOPs in the region. This will be critical as we strive to co-design meaningful capacity-building approaches for ECOPs, co-deliver professional development opportunities and build a stronger sense of community belonging.
We would highly appreciate your participation in this survey, which should take between 5-10 minutes to complete. Responses given to this survey will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. We will make sure to report results, insights and impacts back to you!
It is available in English and Spanish.
Join the ECOP Spain community and get involved!
Send your expression of interest or simply contact: spain@ecopdecade.org
Meet the ECOP Spain coordination unit
Inés Mas de la Peña
A driven professional with experience in climate change, marine conservation, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Master graduate from Climate Change in the University of Copenhagen, currently working at Climate-KIC from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology in the Entrepreneurship Ventures & Solutions team.
Sara Mohamed Santamaría
An ECOP interested in ocean outreach involved in sustainable fisheries and trophic ecology projects at the Institut de Ciènces del Mar (ICM-CSIC) in Barcelona. Sara is a graduate in Marine Sciences who has been working for the last few years studying fisheries management and its impact on the environment.
Lucía Millán Agudo
Lucía is an ECOP who has worked in Marine Conservation and management of MPAs in the last years. She is currently working in the Marine Sciences Institute in Barcelona where she is involved in several projects regarding benthic habitats and their responses to climate change.