Applications Invited for Blue Action Fund Grant

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About the Organization

Blue Action is a foundation that supports the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and furthers the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular SDG 14. Blue Action is financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Agence Française de Développement, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation and Irish Aid.

About the Grant

Blue Action Fund (hereafter ‘Blue Action’) is pleased to announce a new open Call for Proposals focussing on the ‘Asia-Pacific’ region. This Call for Proposals is part of a continuing series of such Calls by Blue Action providing individual grants to NGOs for conservation projects in developing countries that have the following dual focus:

• Newly established, expanded or better managed marine protected areas (MPAs) or networks of MPAs that result in biodiversity conservation, and
• Enhanced livelihood conditions and food security.

The Asia-Pacific region is exceptionally rich in biodiversity, harbouring a substantial proportion of the Earth’s nine million species, including several biodiversity hotspots. It features some of the world’s most unique regions including tropical forests, alpine environments, reefs of the ‘coral triangle’ and the largest, deepest ocean on Earth. Yet the biodiversity of Asia-Pacific is under threat. Rapid economic development and climate change have had significant impact on the region’s biodiversity and the ecosystem services they serve. In fact, the region is recording a high number of threatened species, and is impacted by shrinking natural habitats and overexploitation of marine resources. There is a clear need for the establishment of conservation measures that are effective, sustainable and are supported by long-term financial mechanisms. That's why Blue Action intends to invest in the region to restore degraded habitats, protect at-risk species and help communities thrive alongside nature in a more sustainable way.

Through this Call it is Blue Action’s ambition to make a significant contribution towards achieving the SDG 14.5’s 10% target for coastal and marine protected areas, Aichi Target 11 of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the global target to conserve and protect at least 30% of the planet’s land and ocean by 2030. Blue Action is looking forward to receiving proposals for projects that:

• Are situated in one of the following countries (or in case of transboundary MPAs in several of the countries): Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, or Vietnam. 1
• Ask for a contribution by Blue Action of EUR 2-4 million, in justified cases up to EUR 5 million; and –
• Can be completed within up to 5 years.

The thematic focus of projects should cover both:

• Supporting ecologically representative and well-connected systems of MPAs through enhancing management of existing MPAs, enlarging existing MPAs or establishing new MPAs; and
• Supporting sustainable livelihoods in coastal communities dependent on MPAs and their buffer zones.

Blue Action expects to award grants from this Call with a total volume of around EUR 20 million.

Eligibility

• Eligible applicants are NGOs with proven experience in coastal and marine conservation and sustainable livelihood development in the area. NGOs must provide match funding of at least 25% of the total project costs.
• NGOs must have experience in implementing projects of similar size, environmental and social management system capacity, and their reporting and financial management systems must be compliant with internationally recognised standards.
• Blue Action encourages applications by consortia of NGOs that include local implementing partners, such as environmental or social development NGOs. Blue Action’s procedures require that all projects must receive the endorsement of the appropriate authority/authorised body of the country in which the project is located.

How to Apply

If you would like to apply for a Blue Action grant, please fill out the Concept Note template and send it electronically in Word or PDF format [<5MB file size] to grants@blueactionfund.org with the subject line ‘[your organisation] Concept Note’ by 8 September 2023. All relevant documents can be found on Blue Action’s website at https://www.blueactionfund.org/documents. ><5 MB file size] to grants@blueactionfund.org with the subject line ‘[your organisation] Concept Note’ by 8 September 2023. All relevant documents can be found on Blue Action’s website at https://www.blueactionfund.org/documents.

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Tags Environment and Sustainability Public Policy/ Policy Others