Ocean Allies, a Halifax-based bluetech organization that partners with industry players to advance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the sector, has announced the creation of a new Ocean Impact Award under a partnership with Invest Nova Scotia.

The Ocean Allies group is a “project-based” nonprofit created to reduce barriers to entry in the oceans economy for underrepresented groups and has previously partnered with industry players like Dartmouth’s Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship, the Ocean Technology Council of Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Community College. The organization has also collaborated with Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and Nova Scotia Business Inc., now Invest Nova Scotia, on DEI-focused data reports.

“This project stemmed from a lively discussion at an Ocean Allies Forum in May 2020," says the organization on its website. "We brought together diverse partners and dedicated allies in the ocean sector to get feedback on best approaches to increasing diversity and inclusion in the ocean economy, and where gaps could be identified in the current D&I efforts of the community.

"Diversity and inclusion should not be a 'one-off initiative.' It requires principled action and investment in employee training.”

Nominations for the award will be open from August 1 to October 31, with the winner being announced at the end of November. In addition to Invest Nova Scotia, the award is also sponsored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the National Research Council and others.