Cape Town based NPO, I AM WATER, celebrates 15 years of ocean connection workshops and The Earthshot Prize 2025 nomination
I AM WATER Ocean Conservation Foundation is proud to announce its nomination for the prestigious Earthshot Prize 2025, a global recognition that celebrates transformative and scalable solutions to repair and regenerate the planet.
This nomination reflects over a decade of dedicated work reconnecting underserved youth with the ocean resulting in the OCEAN FOR ALL Alliance Global initiative. “We believe that to protect our oceans, we must first connect people to them – especially the next generation,” said Hanli Prinsloo, Founder of I AM WATER. “This nomination reaffirms the urgent need for ocean connection experiences and the power they have to transform hearts, minds, and communities.”
The OCEAN FOR ALL Alliance (OFAA), an I AM WATER initiative launched in 2021, grew from 4 to 16 international member organisations last year, forming a global network dedicated to increasing ocean access for underserved youth. Through in-person training based on I AM WATER’s Ocean Connection Methodology, OFAA empowers grassroots organisations to deliver safe, engaging ocean education experiences in their local communities. This collaborative approach fosters knowledge sharing, standardised evaluation, and a shared commitment to ocean conservation.
In addition to the OCEAN FOR ALL Alliance, the I AM WATER Cape Town Hub continues to deliver grassroots ocean connection experiences. Since 2019 alone, I AM WATER has reached more than 48,900 beneficiaries through immersive, ocean-based education.
- In 2024, our flagship Ocean Guardians Workshops welcomed 1,259 children to see beneath the surface of the ocean in South Africa, fostering personal connection, awareness, and stewardship for marine ecosystems.
- The School Speaking Series in Cape Town reached 9,699 students, equipping youth with knowledge and actionable solutions.
- The River Guardians Workshops empowered participants to understand the freshwater–ocean link, engaging 174 youth through hands-on citizen science.
- The Inclusive Ocean Experiences program provided ocean access to children with physical and cognitive challenges in a deeply empowering way.
A recent long-term impact study on I AM WATER’s Ocean Connection Methodology, conducted in partnership with the University of North Carolina Wilmington, showed that participants not only increased their ocean-positive actions following the workshops but sustained these behaviours over time – evidence of long-term, transformational change.
While we await the next steps in the Earthshot journey, we celebrate this milestone with our ocean community and partners who have helped us reach this point. “Thank you to all our donors, friends, partners and team members. Together, we’re proving that grassroots organisations can drive global change.”
Visit www.iamwaterfoundation.org and Earthshotprize.org for more information. U
