We raise awareness among the youngest generation about caring for and conserving the marine environment.
Marine Biodiversity Education
- Raising young people's awareness in schoolsince 2017
- Raising young people's awareness aboardsince 2026
- School involvedsince 2017


The sea, the beaches and the coastlines are the beating heart of our natural heritage; their conservation has always been a core mission of the Foundation. From inception, we have championed projects devoted to safeguarding the shoreline and marine ecosystems, in the belief that protecting this fragile environment is a collective responsibility.
With awareness-raising campaigns, environmental education and tangible actions on a regional level, we work to disseminate a culture of sustainability and promote the conservation of natural resources for future generations. Our goal is to grow awareness and responsibility, specifically among children and teenagers, so that they may become active citizens who care about environmental protection.
Workshops, games, educational experiences and field activities: through direct engagement, we bring children closer to the sea and its value, inspiring authentic and long-lasting understanding. Thousands of students and teachers have already participated in our projects, becoming true environmental protectors, committed to beach cleanups and monitoring the landscape.
This engagement is equally present aboard the Costa fleet, where we combine fun and educational experiences by turning each activity into an opportunity for learning, participating and contributing to change; thus making children and teenagers the protagonists of a more sustainable future.
AREAS OF ACTIVITY

- Teaching to care for the sea
We teach the youngest generation to love, protect and respect the marine environment and its wonders — a vital resource that regulates the climate, provides oxygen and supports life on Earth.
- Growing into the citizens of the future
We train young people to be aware and responsible, ready to protect the sea and biodiversity, as allies in the challenge of climate change.
- A commitment that starts with the sea
Aboard our ships and in schools, the sea turns into a classroom and inspiration: a place where knowledge, fun and respect come together to build a bluer future.
September 2025
Guardians of the Sea in CamogliAt the Camogli Communications Festival, the Guardians of the Sea games entertained children and teenagers for three days by exploring the marine environment.
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September 2025
Mission accomplished in Ostia!With our partners in Ostia, the Guardians of the Coast, 28 volunteers from Snam, Renovit and Costa, plus 45 students, we cleaned the beachfront along the Toscanelli esplanade, collecting 11 bags of litter.
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July 2025
End of Guardians of the Coast cycleThe 24/25 edition of Guardians of the Coast came to an end. Thanks to the project’s partners, since inception, 91,490 students and 6280 teachers were involved in beach cleanups and data collection.
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June 2025
World Oceans Day in CataniaOn World Oceans Day, we participated in a beach cleanup in Catania alongside 36 volunteers, collecting 6 kg of litter comprised of plastic, bottles and netting.
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June 2025
Guardians of the Sea launchEducational activities for children and teenagers aboard Costa’s ships: Squok Club and Teen Zone have become spaces for learning about biodiversity and ocean protection.
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June 2025
Taranto, mission accomplished!On San Vito beach, in Taranto, 145 students from the Battaglini high school, teachers and experts from the Scuola di Robotica collected 75 kg of litter; a great effort for the sea.
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April 2025
International Day for Biological DiversityIn Genoa's Voltri, over 200 students from the Lanfranconi high school collected 350 kg of litter with Costa volunteers, monitoring the beach, protecting biodiversity and promoting sustainability.
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April 2025
Guardians of the Coast in NaplesIn Naples' Lido Mappatella, 152 volunteers including students, the Scuola di Robotica and the Snam Foundation collected 9 bags of waste and monitored the beach.
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March 2025
Guardians of the Coast in actionCleanup of the coastline and river mouth with Costa partners and Guardians of the Coast from the Pertini high school: over 370 kg of litter were collected in one morning. Thanks to all for your hard work!
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September 2024
Guardians summer schoolFor the new school year, the Guardians of the Coast Summer School involved 140 teachers aboard the Costa Smeralda.
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July 2024
End of school yearWith the 23/24 edition of Guardians of the Coast, we engaged over 20,000 new students in monitoring the Italian coastline.
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July 2024
The Ocean Decade planGuardians of the Coast has been added to the United Nations' Ocean Decade plan to protect the sea and biodiversity.
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June 2024
Guardians for World Oceans DayAlongside 317 participants, in a three-day beach cleanup we collected over 1000 kg of litter from the Italian coastline.
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June 2024
Guardians at the SIBM CongressThe Guardians of the Coast schools presented the outcomes of their monitoring at the congress of the Società Italiana di Biologia Marina.
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May 2024
Research dataThe Guardians of the Coast students gathered data from 1925 collection points on Italian beaches, which are now available online.
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April 2024
Beach cleanup for the seaDuring two beach cleanup events, on National Day of the Sea, we collected 28 bags and 120 kg of waste in Genoa and Civitavecchia.
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April 2024
Guardians of the Coast milestonesSince 2017, Guardians of the Coast has engaged 70,000 students, 5600 teachers and over 4300 schools in monitoring Italian beaches.
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- Volunteering and social cohesion
We believe in the transformative power of volunteering: a wave of energy that makes a difference.
- Food Assistance
We support social inclusion to ensure the most vulnerable have access to food.
- Material assistance
We repurpose unused items to support the most disadvantaged communities.
