World Oceans’ Day (WOD) was first introduced in 1992 to raise awareness of the crucial role the sea plays as a source of food, oxygen and medicine. It was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2008, and is observed annually on 8 June.

WOD’s theme for 2018, and associated actions, focuses on preventing plastic pollution and encouraging solutions to create a healthy ocean.

The objectives of WOD are to:

1. change attitudes – encourage individuals to think about what the oceans offer;
2. learn – discover the wealth of diverse and beautiful creatures and habitats found in the ocean, and how Man’s actions affect them;
3. change actions – become caretakers of the oceans, helping to protect and conserve them; and
4. Celebrate – organize and participate in ocean events, whether living inland, on the coast, or at sea.

CNVP is a leading international civil society organisation that is active in all six Balkan countries. It uses evidence-based analysis to improve the sustainable livelihoods of rural and water-dependent communities, intervening to build a greener economic environment within the ongoing process of climate change and unsustainable exploitation of natural and ocean resources.

CNVP’s four core values focus on:

• Green  - intervening to build a greener economic environment within the ongoing process of climate change
• Clean - promoting renewable energy and improved household/industrial waste management
• Seen - operating in the Balkans and the European Neighbourhood Space
• Lean - improving the efficiency of service delivery continuously and systematically