Project

Humans form deeply diverse and context-specific relationships with nature. These relationships evolve over generations, shaped by changing narratives, expectations, and visions of the future. Genres like climate fiction and hands-on practices such as ocean clean-ups offer glimpses into the (re)emerging social, cultural, and emotional bonds between people and the natural world.

Future Lives with Oceans and Waters (FLOW) takes a forward-looking perspective to explore how human-nature relationships are shifting in the context of aquatic ecosystems. Over two years, this transdisciplinary project brought together foresight methods, research on socio-ecological interactions, marine science, and natural resource management - working closely with young people from across Europe.

FLOW generated new insights into how people relate to water, the different ways young adults feel connected to the sea, and the expectations they hold for the future. The project aimed to strengthen awareness of the vital role aquatic ecosystems play in the Anthropocene. To do this, FLOW combined horizon scanning, ethnographic fieldwork, experiential futures workshops, and co-creation in a unique and innovative way.

As a Research and Innovation Action, FLOW achieved the following:

• Supported the EU’s Restore Our Ocean Mission
• Engaged a Youth Advisory Board, five initiatives, and over 200 young adults directly in the research
• Contributed ideas to the Blue Deal of the European Economic and Social Committee
• Developed blueprints for stewardship-assemblages - recommendations for activating, communicating with, and involving younger generations in the mission
• Laid the foundation for a European Citizens’ Initiative

FLOW has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No 101093928