We are proud to share that CREAMARE: The Game has been endorsed as a Decade Activity by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science and Sustainable Development 2021-2030.

The endorsement, titled “Serious Game Promoting Maritime Heritage Awareness”, is part of the Cultural Heritage Framework Programme (CHFP), the UN programme dedicated to Cultural Heritage, and places the project among the international initiatives that actively contribute to Challenge No.10: Restore Society’s Relationship with the Ocean. 

The Decade’s challenges aim to support and implement urgent actions to protect the oceans, through a multidisciplinary approach that spans all sectors within the field of ocean science. The objectives include the promotion of a more conscious and sustainable use of the ocean through science, communication and public engagement, and aim to provide informed solutions to future challenges, develop resilience, and encourage inclusive, sustainable adaptation. 

Specifically, the CHFP draws attention to the Underwater Cultural Heritage as a vital part of Europe’s identity, as well as the major threats it is facing: environmental degradation and lack of public awareness. 

As ocean health declines, Earth’s natural balance and the global economy are threatened. Global warming, pollution and ocean acidification are causing a loss in biodiversity and degradation of marine habitats.

The Ocean Decade seeks to engage the scientific community, the creative industry, and civil society in identifying effective and urgent responses that lead to real change.

With its captivating narrative structure, CREAMARE: The Game combines interactive storytelling, underwater exploration and scientific outreach, aligning with the goals of UN Ocean Decade. It raises awareness of key issues related to marine environmental protection, safeguarding Underwater Cultural Heritage, and fighting ocean pollution. 

By exploring nine submerged archaeological sites in the Mediterranean Sea, the game encourages reflection on the impact of human activities on marine ecosystems and the need for collective action to protect them. 

Gathering partners from Italy, Greece, Croatia, Hungary and Spain, the project explores innovative approaches to the promotion of submerged heritage, combining technology and culture for sustainable innovation. 

The UN Ocean Decade endorsement marks a significant milestone for the CREAMARE project, confirming the educational, cultural, and environmental value of the video game, as well as its alignment with the vision of a healthier, more productive, and resilient ocean by 2030.