The I AM WATER team is undertaking an 18-month initiative aimed at empowering coastal community conservation efforts in the Galapagos Islands and the coastal provinces of Manabí and Santa Elena in mainland Ecuador. This project focuses on equipping local organisations who want to create safe and fun ocean education and connection experience with the skills and resources to facilitate‘ Ocean Connection Workshops’ for youth in their local communities, fostering ocean literacy, and promoting sustainable stewardship. A key focus of the initiative is to create awareness among youths of the value of the ocean in their own communities and the risks and impacts faced by climate change.
As part of this effort, 11 organisations were selected to join the Ocean For All Alliance(OFAA) and receive in person training on I AM WATER Ocean Connection Methodology. I AM WATER delivered training to 20 individuals in a “train-the-trainer” programme to empower local Ocean Connection facilitators. This took place in November 2024 in Santa Cruz Island, in the Galapagos.
Starter kits, including inflatable buoys, rash vests, yoga mats, masks and snorkels were distributed to the 11 organizations, enabling them to initiate Ocean Connection Workshops in their own local communities. The organisations trained subsequently went on to train 31 coaches and so far, they have successfully implemented pilot Ocean Connection Workshops, engaging 268 child beneficiaries. I AM WATER are collaborating with the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) to design an impact survey to measure the significance of the impact of this initiative.
Looking Ahead The training provided in the Galapagos was a catalyst for building a network of ocean advocates in the Galapagos Islands and mainland Ecuador. By empowering local organizations to deliver impactful ocean education programmes to underserved communities, I AM WATER and OFC are contributing to a future where ocean conservation becomes part of the communities.
The programme was funded through OFC’s main shareholder Climate Fund Managers (CFM) and its Climate Investor Two (CI2) Fund, a USD 1 billion blended finance facility focused on water, sanitation and oceans infrastructure in emerging markets, which made available USD 81 million (USD 5 million per annum) to OFC to support marine conservation and climate impact in the region.
About I AM WATER
I AM WATER's Mission is to Connecting Youth (particularly underserved youth) to the Ocean I AM WATER is driven by a mission to increase access to oceans for youth and foster ocean-friendly habits that can spark a global movement of connection, protection, and sustainable enjoyment of marine ecosystems. Their work focuses on facilitating immersive ocean education workshops, primarily for young people from vulnerable communities, many of whom have never experienced the ocean first hand.
Since its inception, I AM WATER has made significant strides in ocean education and conservation:
Through their tried and tested ocean-focused educational programmes, I AM WATER has ignited a sense of ocean consciousness and responsibility in countless young participants. Their approach proves that gentle, safe, and structured exposure to the ocean at the right developmental age can foster positive connections and inspire lasting, ocean-positive behavioural changes. Moreover, participants are encouraged to share their newfound knowledge within their communities, amplifying the ripple effect of conservation awareness.
About Oceans Finance Company
Oceans Finance Company (OFC) bridges the gap between natural capital management, nature-based solutions and large-scale blended finance. It develops and manages large-scale impact programs and long-term funding mechanisms that amplify ecosystem impacts and uplift communities while generating sustainable returns for investors. OFC’s priority areas for investment are:
OFC’s main shareholder is Climate Fund Managers (CFM), a leading climate-centric blended finance fund manager operating across Latin America, Asia and Africa. CFM raises and deploys climate finance funds in partnership at scale and at pace. Its purpose is to end the climate crisis. Established in 2015, CFM is a joint venture between the Dutch development bank FMO and Sanlam Infra Works –part of the Sanlam Group of South Africa.
