 In March 2025, Euronews featured Turning Blue in its Ocean series, produced in partnership with the European Commission. Now that the project has come to an end, we are looking back at this reportage. It is still one of the clearest introductions to what Turning Blue set out to do. The report, by journalist Denis Loctier, looked at two challenges that the project brings together. Marine businesses across Europe are struggling to find workers, especially young ones. At the same time, young people leaving the justice system often find it difficult to get a job because of their background. The Euronews team visited an oyster farm in Portugal's Sado Estuary, where owner António Correia has already hired several former prisoners. "Everyone deserves a second chance," he told Euronews. The report also featured SEAentia, a fish farming start-up in Peniche that plans to expand its team in the coming years, and the youth prison in Leiria. There, young people explored careers in the blue economy through virtual reality, presentations and meetings with professionals from the sector. One of the participants in Leiria described the challenge they will face after release: "People will judge us for what we did, not for who we are." Turning Blue aimed to reduce this stigma through mentoring, training and direct contact with employers.
n the interview that accompanied the report, Rita Lourenço from Aproximar, the project coordinator, explained why the project was designed as a "win-win". Employment helps break the cycle of reoffending, and the blue economy needs people. She also pointed out that many hands-on jobs in fishing, aquaculture and tourism do not require high qualifications, which makes them a realistic option for young people with limited work experience. Looking back, the questions raised in the report remain relevant. We would like to thank Euronews for their interest in the project, and all the partners, prison staff, employers and young people who shared their experiences. Watch the video and read the article:
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This website has been accomplished during the project " Turning Blue - Integrating young offenders through the blue economy", project no 101124686, funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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