New treaty to protect ocean life in the High Seas - Oak Foundation

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Enriched family-office · Found: 2026-03-11 08:10

Oceans 5 funds networks that protect our seas through results-focused conservation projects worldwide. A guiding focus is the two highest ...

Source: https://oakfnd.org/treaty-ocean-life-high-seas/

Funding Details

Funder: Oak Foundation
Funding Goal: Oak Foundation's Environment Programme funds marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, coastal community resilience, biodiversity protection, and landscape restoration. The programme supports ocean protection and food security for coastal populations through systems change approaches across Marine Food Systems and Livelihoods, Nature and People, and Regenerative Landscapes sub-programmes.
Funding Amount: Grants range from USD 25,000 to USD 10 million, averaging USD 900,000. Over 300 grants awarded annually. Most grants are multi-year. (25.000 € – 10.000.000 €)
How to Apply: Oak Foundation uses a primarily invitation-based model with three entry points: (1) Letter of Inquiry — organizations can submit unsolicited requests if they identify alignment with funding priorities; (2) Requests for Proposals — occasional competitive calls; (3) Staff Invitations — direct outreach from programme officers. The process takes 7-13 months through stages of idea exchange, concept notes, full application, review, and decision.
Target Region: Global (with emphasis on Africa, Asia, Latin America, Southeast Asia, Southern Africa, Europe)
Contact: Contact via oakfnd.org/contact/ or submit enquiry at oakfnd.org/submit-enquiry/
Last Checked: 2026-03-11 21:48

Application Checklist

Eligibility

Organization must be a not-for-profit entity
Work must align with Oak's Environment Programme priorities: marine food systems, nature and people, or regenerative landscapes

Project Scope

Demonstrate systems change approach with focus on root causes, replicability, and community participation

Required Documents

Submit a Letter of Inquiry demonstrating alignment with Oak's funding priorities

Constraints

Grant request should not exceed 50% of project budget or 20% of organizational budget
No funding for individuals, scholarships, religious purposes, election campaigns, or political parties
Be prepared for a 7-13 month application timeline from initial inquiry to decision

Summary

Oak Foundation is a major philanthropic foundation that distributes over 300 grants annually, averaging USD 900,000 each (ranging from USD 25,000 to USD 10 million). Its Environment Programme focuses on marine ecosystems, coastal communities, biodiversity, and landscape restoration, with geographic emphasis on Africa, Asia, Latin America, Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, and Europe. The specific page reviewed is an article celebrating the historic High Seas Treaty adopted in June 2023, which establishes a framework to create marine protected areas (MPAs) and manage ocean resources in international waters. Oak Foundation supported this treaty effort through organizations like the High Seas Alliance and Oceans 5. This highlights Oak's commitment to ocean governance and marine conservation at scale. Oak Foundation operates on a primarily invitation-based grant-making model. Organizations can submit a Letter of Inquiry if they identify alignment with funding priorities. The foundation provides both core (general operating) and project support, with most grants spanning multiple years. The application process takes approximately 7-13 months from initial contact to decision. Oak does not accept applications from individuals and typically caps grants at 50% of project budgets or 20% of organizational budgets.

Historical Context

Oak Foundation supported the High Seas Treaty negotiations over two decades, working with the High Seas Alliance and Oceans 5. The treaty was agreed on March 4, 2023, and formally adopted in June 2023, with ratification expected by the 2025 UN Oceans Conference. The foundation distributes over 300 grants annually across all its programmes.

Sources

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