From October 27 to 30, 2026, the annual Blue Flag National Operator Meeting (NOM 2026) brought together environmental leaders from around the globe in Erfurt, Germany. Hosted by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Umwelterziehung e.V. (FEE Germany / Blaue Flagge), this intensive four-day event served as a collaborative hub for staff representing member organisations across 36 countries.

The meeting’s primary objective was to strengthen international networks, exchange key regional insights, and collaboratively map the future strategic direction of the Blue Flag global programme.

During the meeting, through intensive knowledge sharing, National Operators engaged in highly focused workshops designed to address evolving coastal challenges. Representatives shared proven local solutions regarding beach protection, marina infrastructure, and eco-tourism vessel sustainability. Strategic discussions were launched to align the program with emerging international environmental directives, reinforcing rigorous standards for water quality, biodiversity preservation, and coastal management. Collaborative sessions allowed participants to evaluate international best practices, specifically focusing on enhancing community-led environmental education and advancing sustainable tourism frameworks worldwide.

The outputs generated during the workshops will directly influence how national offices implement and elevate the eco-label standards within their home countries. By exchanging hands-on experiences, National Operators of the Blue Flag Programme shaped a unified vision on how to develop new tools to support local municipalities, coastal communities, and site managers in maintaining world-class standards for beaches, marinas, and tourism boats.

Beyond the productive meeting rooms, delegates also had the opportunity to explore the historical old town of Erfurt, strengthening organizational bonds and celebrating the collaborative spirit of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) network.