BLUEFRONT and the European Green Deal: Connecting local action to EU goals

At first glance, the European Green Deal may seem like an ambitious roadmap for a greener Europe filled with strategies, targets, and policy packages. But the truth is, the Green Deal is meant to start right here, in our communities. In our schools, on our coastlines, along our rivers, and through projects like BLUEFRONT.

Here’s how BLUEFRONT is turning big European goals into real, local action.

What is the European Green Deal?

The European Green Deal is the EU’s strategy to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050. It touches every part of life: energy, farming, industry, transport, and especially the protection of nature and water.

Key goals include:

• Restoring ecosystems and biodiversity

• Ensuring access to clean water and healthy oceans

• Promoting sustainable industry and the circular economy

• Supporting youth and communities to lead the green transition

It’s about fair, inclusive climate action that leaves no one, and no place, behind.

Where does BLUEFRONT fit in?

BLUEFRONT is directly supporting several pillars of the European Green Deal, with a strong focus on water resilience, education, and the Blue Economy.

Our project:

• Raises awareness about water-related challenges across coastal, river, and island regions

• Engages youth to lead community-based research and develop Water Roadmaps

• Promotes sustainable practices through focus groups, peer learning, and creative advocacy

• Connects local data and experiences to broader European policy priorities

By working with young people and local actors, BLUEFRONT puts the Green Deal’s ideals into practice on the ground.

 “Youth must be part of the solution, engaged, informed, and empowered to shape a greener, more sustainable Europe.”

From waterbeds to policy impact

Through our activities in Greece, Finland, Hungary, Italy, and Malta, BLUEFRONT is helping:

• Map and monitor local water systems

• Share community stories of water justice and injustice

• Co-design training materials and open access resources

• Build long-term resilience through participatory environmental planning

These efforts contribute to:

• The EU Water Framework Directive

• The Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change

• The Sustainable Blue Economy Strategy

• And the EU Youth Strategy

Why local action matters

Climate goals can’t be met without community involvement. BLUEFRONT demonstrates that when you equip young people with knowledge, tools, and platforms, they don't just raise awareness, they drive change.

By aligning with the Green Deal, BLUEFRONT also ensures its work has lasting relevance and scalability, ready to be adapted across Europe.

A shared European future

Whether you're a student in Malta, a youth worker in Hungary, or an activist in Italy, your local efforts are part of something bigger. Through BLUEFRONT, we’re connecting the dots between local knowledge and European ambition.

Together, we’re not only imagining a sustainable future, we’re building it.