Conservation is about collaboration, and collaboration is what we are discussing today.

Ocean collaboration is at the heart of many conservation success stories, but what happens when it breaks down? In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin talks with Bart Oor, the founder of Balean, a platform created to support independent ocean conservationists by giving them the funding, structure, and digital tools to succeed. They dive into the barriers many changemakers face when working outside of traditional institutional channels and how a lack of communication and community support often holds back ocean progress.

Balean’s mission is to foster a decentralized, human-centered support network for ocean missions. Bart shares how his background in engineering led him to build Balean as a solution to the gaps he witnessed in ocean collaboration. This episode also reflects on Andrew and Bart’s own partnership and how aligned values and open communication can shape stronger ocean solutions. Whether you’re an early-career marine conservationist or a funder looking to empower grassroots initiatives, this conversation is a powerful call to action.

Website: https://www.balean.org/

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