Brigada do Mar
Brigada do Mar is a Portuguese environmental NGO founded in 2009 dedicated to decontaminating the coastline and educating communities about ocean protection. It organises what it calls the largest beach cleanup in the world, involving thousands of volunteers each year.
Founded in 2009 and formally established in 2012, Brigada do Mar is a Portuguese non-governmental development organisation (ONGD) whose main purpose is the decontamination of Portugal's coastline. Its work spans four core areas: coastal decontamination, environmental education (through its 'Oceanizar' programme), corporate eco team-building (CORPOR-ACT), and cooperation for development. Since May 2009, the organisation has removed over 1,085,000 kilograms of waste from coastal areas with the participation of more than 15,000 volunteers. Cleanup actions are divided into large-volume collection, targeting bulky debris across wide areas, and integral cleaning, removing all items foreign to the ecosystem. Its flagship initiative, often described as the world's largest beach cleanup, mobilises schools, scout groups, municipalities and corporate partners along the coastline of the Grândola municipality and beyond. The 'Oceanizar' programme trains students and teachers to protect the oceans through beach cleanups, talks and workshops, encouraging schools to create dedicated hubs for sustainable practices around consumption and recycling. Through CORPOR-ACT, companies and institutions get involved in hands-on environmental action, raising awareness of ecosystem fragility while building team spirit. Brigada do Mar regularly partners with municipal and parish councils, scout groups, schools and companies such as Yamaha Motor Portugal, Heineken and EDP, and collaborates internationally with groups such as Belgian scouts and other environmental associations like Planet Caretakers, Novo Mundo and EDA. Through direct action, advocacy and education, the organisation plays a central role in marine conservation and plastic pollution reduction in Portugal, while cultivating environmental stewardship in younger generations.
Our Goal
Brigada do Mar works to decontaminate Portugal's coastline and educate communities on ocean protection, mobilising volunteers, schools and companies in large-scale beach cleanups and environmental awareness programmes.
Our Wishes
The organisation seeks more volunteers, schools, scout groups and corporate partners to join its cleanup actions and support its environmental education programmes.
