NATURAL CAPITAL SOLUTIONS
Grassroot community organizations are closest to coastal challenges and are very effective at mobilizing youth, yet they are often overlooked and under-resourced compared to larger conservation organizations. I AM WATER’s OCEAN FOR ALL Alliance (OFAA) initiative seeks to address this gap by offering membership to a comprehensive training and support network. Through online and in-person practical training and the provision of essential equipment and ongoing support, the program helps local conservation focused organizations build the skills and resources needed to deliver impactful education and conservation activities. It is designed to strengthen community engagement, expand youth participation and foster lasting action that contributes to ocean health.
The program seeks to empower the next generation to become stewards of the marine environment in the Galápagos and mainland Ecuador by increasing ocean access and fostering habits of connection, protection, and sustainable action. This will be achieved by equipping grassroots organizations to deliver Ocean Connection Workshops, engaging underserved coastal youth, and strengthening a global network of community initiatives through the OCEAN FOR ALL Alliance (OFAA).
I AM WATER's mission is to increase access to oceans for youth and foster ocean habits that will launch a global movement for connection, protection, and sustainable enjoyment of oceans. They work by facilitating immersive ocean education workshops for youth from the vulnerable communities with the belief that when youth are empowered in the “I AM WATER way”, oceans and humanity can co-exist and thrive. Since 2010, I AM WATER has worked with under-resourced communities in Bermuda, South Africa, Argentina and now, Ecuador.
I AM WATER created the OCEAN FOR ALL Alliance (OFAA) to extend its impact globally. OFAA offers free membership and support to community-level ocean conservation initiatives, providing professional training, knowledge sharing, and a comprehensive program that equips members to deliver Ocean Connection Workshops tailored to their contexts. By harnessing the collective expertise of grassroots organizations, OFAA is cultivating a global network of empowered initiatives advancing ocean education, youth empowerment, and environmental stewardship.