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Ocean Community Lisbon
Global Headquarters. Global Gateway.
Based in Lisbon, Ocean Community's Global Headquarters connects people,
knowledge and innovation across borders.
From here, we lead our global community, learning ecosystem, early innovation pathways and international partnerships, building the foundations for a regenerative ocean economy.
Connecting the world for the Ocean Age.
WHY LISBON?
Rooted in heritage. Positioned for impact.
Lisbon is a city shaped by the ocean. For centuries, it has been a gateway between Europe, Africa and the Atlantic, where cultures, knowledge and trade came together. Today, that same spirit of connection drives a growing ecosystem of ocean innovation, research and entrepreneurship focused on addressing ocean challenges and advancing the regenerative blue economy.
This unique combination of heritage, strategic location and international outlook makes Lisbon a natural home for Ocean Community’s Global Headquarters and global platform.
Anchored in Portugal as a Portuguese non-profit Associação Ambiental NIPC 516.014.374, (Environmental Association) operating under Portuguese and European Union Law.
What we lead
Every initiative contributes to one or more of our three Core Pillars: Connect, Learn and Innovate.
Community
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We build and nurture an international community where people, organisations and ideas come together to learn, contribute andcollabo rate across sectors and borders.
Including
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Global Community
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Ambassador Programme
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Internship Programme
Learning
We make ocean knowledge accessible through learning experiences that build understanding, capability and engagement for people at every stage of their journey.
Including
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Ocean 101
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Ocean Academy
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Ocean Campus
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Early Innovation
We help transform promising ideas into stronger opportunities through structured learning, validation, collaboration and international exposure.
Including
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Ocean Community Challenge
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Blue Readiness Journey
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University Innothons
Ocean Community Internship Programme
We coordinate the international programme giving students and emerging professionals practical experience across community building, innovation, learning, communication and organisational development.
Ocean Ambassador Programme
We lead the global network of ambassadors who represent Ocean Community, strengthen connections across countries and help extend knowledge, opportunities and collaboration within the international ecosystem.
Ocean Community Challenge
The Ocean Community Challenge is our annual global innovation programme for early-stage innovators, founders and early ventures. The objective is to identify and support promising ocean solutions. Teams from around the world are enabled through visibility, training, expert feedback, structured preparation and community support through the Blue Readiness Journey.
Leadership Team
Mafalda de Freitas
Chief Marine Officer
Learn Program Director
Mafalda is a Marine Biologist with degrees in Marine Biology from University of St Andrews in Scotland and a Master in Marine Acoustics from Aarhus University in Denmark. She has worked in a number of research projects that used innovative technologies to study marine mammals. Mafalda has worked as Project Manager for Peniche Ocean Watch where exciting projects for fishing net recycling and ocean tech amongst others were developed and deployed. Mafalda now holds the position as Environmental Scientist at Hawaii Pacific University. Mafalda is passionate about translating science into applied innovation in the Ocean space.
Susanne Wedin-Schildt
Founder & Executive President
As Executive President, Susanne Wedin Schildt leads Ocean Community's global strategy, international development and strategic partnerships. With more than 35 years of international leadership experience spanning over 25 countries, she has worked across business, government, academia and innovation ecosystems to drive transformation, build strategic collaborations and accelerate sustainable growth. Her expertise in business transformation, innovation and venture development enables her to connect people, organisations and opportunities across sectors and borders. Through Ocean Community, Susanne is building a global platform that brings together leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and partners to advance a regenerative and resilient ocean economy.
Rimmie Duraisamy
Innovate Program Director
As Innovate Programme Director, Rimmie Duraisamy leads initiatives that help ocean innovators strengthen solutions, validate opportunities and progress towards implementation. A mechanical engineer and ocean energy specialist, she brings experience across the automotive sector, advanced engineering and early-stage venture development. Rimmie is currently completing a PhD at KTH Royal Institute of Technology focused on design and development challenges in wave energy harvesting systems. She combines technical depth, entrepreneurial experience and programme leadership to support ocean innovators from concept to implementation.
We build what comes next.
The transition to a sustainable Blue future will not be built by one organisation alone. It would be built through collaboration, bold ideas and people willing to create what comes next.
We build long-term collaborations with organisations across academia, industry, government and civil society to strengthen ocean innovation worldwide.
Including
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Strategic Partnerships
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International Consortia
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UN Ocean Decade Collaboration
If you have an idea see an opportunity for collaboration, we would love to hear from you.
Contact @oceancommunity.co