Empowering coastal youth through marine education

Dredging projects often focus on engineering and environmental outcomes, but their social impact can be equally transformative. In Costa Rica, DEME’s maintenance dredging works for the Costa Rican Petroleum Refinery (Recope – Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo) haves parked a meaningful community initiative. Through the “Friends of the Sea” campaign, DEME, in collaboration with the national NGO called Latin American Sea Turtles Association (LAST), engaged young students from Moín Primary School in environmental education, fostering awareness and responsibility. This article explores how dredging projects can serve as platforms for social engagement, education and long-term sustainability.