Capture Value Domestically
Licensing revenue, processing, port services and market access all determine how much ocean-derived value stays in the jurisdiction. Understanding where it leaks out is the first step to keeping it.
ISDP Online Course - Enrolment Open
Island Blue Economies: Building Ocean Livelihoods That Last
Join the Island Blue Economies course, an online learning programme starting on 13 October 2026, designed for professionals working in, with, or seeking to support island territories.
Classes with global experts
Live networking
Practical knowledge
Real-world case studies
Join the cohort!
Why this course
Ocean Wealth That Stays
For most Small Island Developing States and sub-national island jurisdictions, the sea is the primary economic asset, the main source of protein, the basis of the tourism product, and the route by which almost every imported good arrives. The question this course asks is an economic one: who owns ocean resources, who benefits from them, and what institutional arrangements determine the answer.
The blue economy is used to describe everything from industrial expansion of ocean extraction to community-controlled fisheries reform, and the difference matters for island communities. Over eight weeks, participants work through the ocean sectors that carry the most weight in island economies: fisheries governance and small-scale livelihoods, aquaculture and seaweed, marine spatial planning, blue finance instruments, and the maritime services economy. The course closes on national blue economy strategies and why so many stall between publication and delivery.
Govern Large Ocean Territories
Small administrations are responsible for vast maritime zones. This course covers the monitoring, planning and enforcement arrangements that make that governable in practice.
Strengthen Ocean Livelihoods
Small-scale fisheries employ most people working in island fisheries and supply most of the fish eaten domestically. Better infrastructure, organisation and market access raise incomes across coastal communities.
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The course details
Join the Global Network Shaping Island Futures
Ocean governance challenges are rarely solved alone. Throughout the programme, participants engage directly with peers, practitioners, policymakers, researchers and sustainability professionals working across island communities worldwide. Every cohort brings together people working on the same challenges from different corners of the world, creating a space for knowledge exchange and lasting professional connections.
1Foundations and Fisheries Governance
- Definitions, Ocean Dependence and Where Value Sits
- Access, Subsidies and the Economics of the Bargain
- Where the Fish Goes and Who Benefits: Small-Scale Fisheries, Livelihoods and Value Chains
2Ocean Production, Space and Finance
- Growing from the Sea: Aquaculture, Mariculture and the Seaweed Opportunity
- Marine Spatial Planning and Competing Ocean Uses
- Blue Finance: Instruments, Conversions and Why Pipelines Stall
3Governance and Implementation
- Ocean Governance and International Law: The Legal Architecture Island States Operate Within
- From Strategy to Implementation: Why Blue Economy Strategies Stall, and What Prevents It
Masterclass leaders
Learn from our Blue Economy Experts
The course is taught through live case studies and real-world examples, led by practitioners, policymakers and specialists working across island and coastal communities worldwide.
Louise Heaps
The Blue Economy Bridge-Builder
Turning ocean conservation into a global framework for sustainable finance.
What you'll learn
- How to structure finance principles that make ocean conservation investable at scale
- Lessons from building cross-sector coalitions between governments, banks, and conservation bodies
- Applying two decades of natural resource management experience to blue economy strategy
Miguel de Serpa Soares
The Ocean Law Architect
Shaping the international legal architecture that governs our oceans.
What you'll learn
- How international ocean law is negotiated, from treaty text to ratification
- The significance of the BBNJ Agreement for biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction
- How legal frameworks translate into real protections for the high seas
Maximiliano Bello
The Marine Protection Diplomat
Turning ocean policy expertise into millions of square kilometres of protected waters.
What you'll learn
- How large-scale marine protected areas get negotiated and secured
- Navigating international ocean policy across NGOs, governments, and multilateral forums
- Lessons from representing ocean interests at the presidential and COP level
Dr. Angus Friday
The Small Island Advocate
Championing the interests of small island states on the world's biggest ocean stages.
What you'll learn
- How small island states organise to influence global ocean and climate policy
- Bridging diplomacy, finance, and blue economy strategy for vulnerable nations
- Lessons from representing island interests at the UN and World Bank
Vincent Doumeizel
The Seaweed Revolution Pioneer
Building a global movement around seaweed's potential to transform food, climate, and industry.
What you'll learn
- The role seaweed can play in food security, climate mitigation, and sustainable industry
- How to build and scale a global coalition around an emerging circular resource
- Lessons from authoring and championing the "Seaweed Revolution" movement
Feagaima'ali'i François Martel
The Pacific Regionalism Champion
Turning three decades of Pacific conservation work into a blueprint for collective island diplomacy.
What you'll learn
- How regional institutions like PIDF give island states negotiating leverage that unilateral action can't
- Where customary and community governance can be built into national blue economy planning, rather than worked around
- How to tell donor-driven blue economy programming apart from Pacific-designed and Pacific-led alternatives
The course combines online learning with hands-on projects
Enrol now
Practical, applicable knowledge
Learn actionable strategies and frameworks designed for island contexts, from circular waste systems and regenerative food production to blue economy innovation and circular finance.
Live networking with global innovators
Build lasting professional relationships through structured networking, connecting with peers, experts, and decision-makers from across the global island sustainability ecosystem.
Classes with global experts and leaders
Engage directly with guest experts driving circular economy implementation in island and coastal contexts worldwide.
Online learning and networking sessions
Participate in our weekly 90-minute live sessions every Tuesday from 13th October to 1st December 2026, 13:00 to 14:30 BST, moving to 13:00 to 14:30 GMT from 27th October.
Testimonials
Real people. Real impact. Alumni from our other capacity-building programmes share how our courses helped them drive change across their islands
Trusted by learners in top organisations
Interested in joining?
One ticket gives you full access to the eight-week programme. Reserve your place and we'll collect participant details before payment.
Full programme access
Per participant
$199.00
Full programme access
Island Blue Economies Course
ISDP Certificate · 4th Edition · 8 weeks · Online · English
What's included
- Live expert sessions with industry leaders
- Practical case studies & course materials
- Global peer network across island territories
- Certificate of completion from Island Innovation
- Self-paced modules — 8 weeks, fully online
Professional Development Scholarships
Island Innovation offers scholarships to support early- to mid-career professionals (2-5 years' experience) who are driving innovation and impact in their island communities. These scholarships aim to expand participants' expertise, leadership skills, and networks to advance sustainable island futures.
What the Scholarship Covers
- Full Scholarship: Covers 100% of the USD $199 course fee
- Number Available: 3 scholarships per cohort
Who Can Apply
Ideal candidates are:
- Early- to mid-career professionals with 2-5 years of experience
- Currently working on projects or initiatives that benefit their island community
- Motivated to grow their leadership skills and make a lasting impact
How to Apply
Applicants must submit an online application form including:
- A brief bio and professional background
- A description of current work or projects in their island community
- A statement of motivation and expected outcomes from the course
- A short video introduction
Selection Criteria
Scholarships will be awarded based on:
- Potential for impact
- Demonstrated leadership promise
- Commitment to sustainable island futures
Rules & Conditions
- Scholarships are non-transferable and cover only the $199 course fee
- Recipients must complete the full course
- Selected participants agree to provide feedback/testimonials for future program improvement
Impact
By removing cost barriers, this scholarship increases accessibility for high-potential changemakers in under-resourced island communities, enriches the course with diverse perspectives, and builds long-term connections among emerging leaders.
The programme
Introducing the Island Sustainable Development Professionals (ISDP) Programme
The Island Sustainable Development Professionals (ISDP) Programme is Island Innovation’s flagship professional development programme, designed to equip current and emerging leaders with the knowledge, skills and global networks needed to advance sustainable development in island communities. Through expert-led training, peer learning and real-world case studies, participants engage with some of the most pressing issues facing islands today – from climate resilience and the blue economy to food and water security, energy transitions, circular economy and sustainable governance. Each course combines practical insights with island-led solutions, connecting participants with leading practitioners, policymakers and researchers from around the world. By the end of the programme, participants leave with actionable knowledge, practical tools and a global network of peers working to build more resilient, regenerative and prosperous island communities.
The ISDP Masterclass Series
Past Island Sustainable Development Professionals (ISDP) courses
July 2026
Circular Economy for Sustainable Islands: Designing Regenerative Island Futures
The third course in the ISDP Masterclass Series treated circularity as an economic strategy rather than a waste problem alone, examining how island jurisdictions can move from linear take-make-waste systems towards regenerative circular economies. Over eight weeks between July and September 2026, participants worked through materials recovery and community biodigestion, tourism and visitor economies, food sovereignty and regenerative agriculture, the blue circular economy, investment readiness, circular construction, and community-led implementation. Sessions were led by Maggie Lee, Julia Martínez Cabrera, Stefanos Fotiou, Peter Manyara, Carla Gautier, Ruth Viola Spencer and Henry Obispo, alongside the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund's ACE team. Completing participants received an Island Innovation Certificate of Professional Development.
- Singapore
- Ireland
- Greece
- Caribbean Islands
Maggie Lee
Julia Martínez Cabrera
Stefanos Fotiou
Peter Manyara
Carla Gautier
Ruth Viola Spencer
Henry Obispo
1Circular Systems and Island Resilience
- Why circularity matters for island resilience, livelihoods, and economic security
- Materials recovery, community biodigestion, and regenerative local systems
2Regenerative Island Economies
- Tourism, visitor economies, food sovereignty, and regenerative agriculture
- Blue circular economy opportunities and circular approaches to construction
3Investment and Community-Led Delivery
- Building investment-ready circular projects grounded in island realities
- Turning strategy into community-led implementation and measurable progress
February 2026
Energy Transitions for Islands Course: Powering a Sustainable Future
Running for eight weeks from February to April 2026, this course examined how island territories can build clean, resilient and inclusive energy systems while reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels. Our weekly sessions covered the economics of small-scale energy systems through microgrid and hybrid design, regulatory frameworks and tariff reform, marine renewables, and climate finance from development banks. The final weeks turned to delivery, with case studies from the Estonian islands, La Palma, the Pacific and the Aran Islands.
- Estonia
- La Palma
- Pacific Islands
- Aran Islands
James Ellsmoor
Melanie Chen
Eugene Tiah
Jose Joaquin Hernandez Brito
Dr. Peter Lilienthal
Therese Turner-Jones
Sulev Alajõe
Paul Makumbe
Nuria Albet
Avril Ní Shearcaigh
Maria Trogolo
1Foundations of Island Energy Systems & Policy
- Understanding Island Energy Systems: Vulnerabilities, Opportunities, and Renewable Potential
- Economics of small-scale power systems, microgrids, and hybrid design
2Financing, Infrastructure & Technological Innovation
- Regulatory frameworks, tariff reform, marine renewables, and resilient infrastructure
- Climate finance from development banks and conditions for private investment
3Resilience, Inclusion & Implementation Pathways
- Delivery lessons from Estonia, La Palma, the Pacific, and the Aran Islands
- Inclusive implementation pathways for clean, resilient island energy systems
October 2025
Sustainable Islands Course: Strategies, Finance & Leadership for Innovation
Delivered over eight weeks between October and December 2025, this was the first course in the ISDP Masterclass Series. It brought together professionals working in sustainable development, climate action, energy and finance across island contexts to move from strategy to funded projects. Sessions covered the strategic foundations of island sustainability, climate finance and the Bridgetown Initiative, legal and financial tools for blue economy projects, proposal design and logframes, circularity, and leadership. Participants closed the course with a project blueprint developed through peer and expert feedback. Speakers came from Barbados, Seychelles, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
- Barbados
- Seychelles
- South Africa
- United Kingdom
Angelique Pouponneau
Kumi Naidoo
Dr. Pepukaye Bardouille
Martin Koehring
Gillian Charles-Gollop
James Ellsmoor
1Island Sustainability Strategy
- Strategic foundations for island sustainability and climate action
- Connecting development priorities with practical implementation pathways
2Climate Finance and Project Design
- Climate finance, the Bridgetown Initiative, and legal and financial tools
- Proposal design, logframes, and moving island priorities towards funded projects
3Leadership and Delivery
- Circularity, leadership, and peer learning across island contexts
- An actionable project blueprint shaped through expert and participant feedback
Join the Blue Economy cohort!
Places are limited!
Join a global cohort of island practitioners and build the skills to grow your island’s ocean economy. Places are limited, so reserve yours today!
Enrol now