HORIZON-CL6-2026--03-GOVERNANCE-03: Empowering the UN decade of ocean science for sustainable development

ACU is the only accredited higher education organisation for the Commonwealth (CW), representing 400 member universities across 40 CW countries. We advocate for the role of higher education in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and have access to high-level policy forums.

Proposed role:

• Policy partner and advocacy: Leverage our unique position to strengthen governance and science-policy interfaces for ocean sustainability.

• Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL): Provide robust MEL frameworks based on experience in FP7, Horizon 2020, and Horizon Europe projects.

• Capacity strengthening: Deliver training sessions on science-policy interface and ocean governance for academics, practitioners, and policymakers, drawing on expertise from our global network and experience of delivering training offers across a range of programmes.

• Network mobilisation: Facilitate multi-actor collaboration through our Commonwealth-wide membership, connecting research institutions and stakeholders.

• Expertise access: Tap into member universities’ knowledge in climate resilience, sustainable development, and ocean science.

Added value: ACU combines policy influence, technical MEL expertise, and global capacity-strengthening experience to empower the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.