The COVID-19 pandemic is a global challenge that poses serious and multilevel concerns. There is an ongoing discussion on the indirect and direct impact of the pandemic on the environment. Several studies focus on the positive effects, as pollution and greenhouse gas emissions have fallen across continents, but environmental stakeholders have spotted the dramatic effects of the COVID-19 to the oceans and the life below water.

In particular, the surge of the pandemic has led to the increased use of plastic medical and protective equipment, such as single-use gloves, masks and aprons. Much of this equipment must be discarded after use to limit the spread of the virus. The environmental organisation Operation Mer Propre in France came across large quantities of latex gloves, face masks and bottles of hand sanitiser in the Mediterranean Sea upon exploration. This development indicates a new kind of pollution that adds to the already existing plastic problem and poses environmental, economic, health and aesthetic problems.

Youth could undertake a pioneer role in the area and lead activities aiming at raising awareness on ocean protection and the pandemic relevance to plastic litter. According to the UN environment programme, “we must invest in promoting actions by youth”, as this will enable us “to build the momentum to address the challenges of tomorrow”. In the framework of its Coastal and Marine Policy, the EU also encourages youth to act as Ocean Activists.

• Extend the competences of youth workers, working/collaborating with CSOs, youth and environmental organisations, cultural and creative sector grassroots, in order to foster their ability to enhance youth participation and to motivate youth to address pandemic relevance to plastic litter through visual art works.
• Enhance access to CSO’s, youth and environmental organisations, cultural and creative sector grassroots to relevant roadmaps and good practices to ensure youth participation in ocean protection activities.
• Support CSO’s, youth and environmental organisations, cultural and creative sector grassroots’ to raise public awareness, to lead and contribute to the development of youth policies that promote active participation of youth in the fight against marine and “COVID-waste” litter.

• Guide for CSOs, youth and environmental organisations, cultural and creative sector grassroots
• Capacity Building Programme for youth workers
• Awareness Raising and Policy Toolkit for CSOs, youth and environmental organisations, cultural and creative sector grassroots