"Women Making Waves" Activity Book Released – Celebrating Women Shaping Our Coastal Futures
The EmpowerUs Project, led by Nordland Research Institute (NRI), is proud to announce the official release of the Women Making Waves Activity Book, a beautifully illustrated and interactive publication celebrating the stories of women shaping our coastal communities across Europe.
Created by ERINN Innovation, NRI, and the broader EmpowerUs partnership, this activity book serves as an educational resource for kids that showcases real-life stories of women who have contributed to marine science, conservation, coastal livelihoods, the arts, and community activism. It is suitable for use in classrooms, aquariums, community centres, and at home.
The booklet is freely available online and will be distributed in print at upcoming events hosted at Transitional Coastal Labs (TCLs) across the EmpowerUs pilot sites.
"This book is about more than just stories—it's a tool for empowerment and inspiration," says Dr. Maiken Bjørkan, EmpowerUs Project Coordinator and researcher at NRI. "It brings young readers closer to the sea and highlights the diverse ways women make a difference in their communities and the ocean itself."
From historical legends like Grace O'Malley, Ireland's Pirate Queen, to modern-day marine researchers, artists, lighthouse keepers, windsurfers, and filmmakers, the booklet introduces readers to inspiring role models while inviting them to reflect on their connection to the ocean through games, drawing activities, and creative writing prompts.
“With EmpowerUs, we aim to reach all types of audiences, and with this book, we hope to encourage curiosity about the coast amongst children, showcase shared connections with our one Ocean around Europe and empower the next generation of ocean custodians”, – says Cecile Bratt, project coordinator from NRI.
Download the book here
Let's inspire the next generation of ocean advocates—one wave at a time.
Key Highlights:
- Features women from six coastal communities, including Ireland, Cyprus, Åland Islands, Spain, Bulgaria, and Norway.
- Hands-on activities include colouring pages, mazes, journaling prompts, and creative tasks designed to engage young minds.
- Available in digital format for easy printing and sharing, encouraging wide community use.
Who can use this booklet?
- Any child or adult, but specifically:
- Teachers, scouts, environmental NGOS
- Local businesses
- People looking for resources to help celebrate World Ocean’s Day on June 8th
About EmpowerUs
EmpowerUs is a Horizon Europe project that collaborates with coastal communities to co-create transformative governance frameworks, promoting nature-based solutions and social innovation in response to climate and environmental change. Learn more at https://empowerus-project.eu.
