AZUL40 AND THE X NATIONAL BLUE FLAG SEMINAR

For three inspiring days, the 10th National Blue Flag Seminar brought together educators, environmental professionals, municipalities, and Blue Flag stakeholders in the coastal town of Mira, Portugal. It was a unique opportunity to share experiences, celebrate achievements, and reflect on the future of environmental education and sustainable coastal management.

This year's seminar held particular significance. Mira was chosen as the host location because Praia de Mira is the only beach in Portugal to have maintained Blue Flag status for 40 consecutive years. Such a remarkable achievement reflects decades of dedication to environmental quality, sustainability, safety, and public awareness.

Against this symbolic backdrop, participants from across the country came together to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships, and celebrate the values that the Blue Flag Programme continues to promote around the world.

Isa Magalhães exhibited AZUL40, a project created in 2025 for the Municipality of Portel as part of the Blue Flag Environmental Education Programme and the celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of ABAAE.

AZUL40 was conceived as both a tribute and a reflection on four decades of environmental action, emphasizing the importance of education, participation, and collective responsibility in protecting our natural heritage. Sharing the project with such a dedicated audience was both an honour and an enriching experience.

The seminar provided an opportunity to meet and engage with key figures from the Blue Flag network. Among them were Johann Durand, FEE Blue Flag Director, and José Archer, President of ABAAE, whose commitment and leadership continue to inspire environmental initiatives at both national and international levels.

These encounters reinforced the importance of collaboration and the power of bringing together diverse perspectives to address environmental challenges.

Beyond the seminar sessions, there was also time to experience the unique character of Mira. Visiting Praia de Mira offered a firsthand appreciation of the natural beauty that has earned the beach four decades of Blue Flag recognition.

One particularly memorable moment was tasting a traditional potato roasted directly in the beach sand. Simple, authentic, and deeply connected to local culture, it became one of those small experiences that remain long after an event has ended.

As the Blue Flag Programme celebrates four decades of impact, initiatives such as AZUL40 remind us that environmental awareness is not only about preserving landscapes and ecosystems. It is also about creating connections between people, places, and future generations.

The 10th National Blue Flag Seminar was more than a professional gathering. It was a celebration of a shared commitment to a more sustainable future.

More Information available here: 2026 | Seminário Bandeira Azul – Mira – Bandeira Azul