VELUX FONDEN - Conservation of the Ocean: Combating Marine Pollution

Enriched – · Found: 2026-03-13 15:17

VELUX FONDEN supports projects that combat marine pollution including plastic pollution and marine waste in Danish seas and Baltic region. Minimum project budget DKK 500,000. Focus areas include marine waste, plastic pollution, and impacts from human activities on marine ecosystems. Applications and project ideas accepted with contact: abi@veluxfonden.dk or +45 24 34 24 67

Source: https://veluxfoundations.dk/en/group/grantarea/environment-and-sustainability-danish-sea-areas

Funding Details

Funder

VELUX FONDEN (VELUX Foundation)

Funding Goal

Support research and solutions addressing marine pollution (including plastic pollution and marine debris), coastal and marine ecosystem restoration, and future climate solutions affecting maritime ecosystems in Danish seas and the broader Baltic/international region

Funding Amount

Minimum project budget DKK 500,000; grants range from DKK 525,000 to DKK 9.6 million and above based on project scope

How to Apply

Project ideas are submitted through the VELUX FONDEN website when intake is open. When open, applicants submit a project idea form at veluxfoundations.dk. Contact: Senior Adviser Adam Billing, +45 24 34 24 67, abi@veluxfonden.dk; Senior Adviser Ane-Marie Løvendahl Eskildsen, +45 24 95 16 31, ale@veluxfonden.dk. Monitor veluxfoundations.dk/en/basic-page/current-calls for upcoming rounds.

Target Region

Denmark, Baltic Sea, international (UN Ocean Decade alignment)

Contact

Adam Billing, Senior Adviser, +45 24 34 24 67, abi@veluxfonden.dk; Ane-Marie Løvendahl Eskildsen, Senior Adviser, +45 24 95 16 31, ale@veluxfonden.dk; Henrik Tronier, Deputy Director, +45 29 41 79 07, htr@veluxfonden.dk; info@veluxfonden.dk, +45 39 57 09 57

Last Checked

2026-03-15 11:12

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Non-commercial applicant required; commercial projects excluded
• Aquaculture and fishing projects are explicitly ineligible

Project Scope

• Project must focus on Danish sea areas, marine pollution, coastal restoration, or climate solutions affecting maritime ecosystems
• Strong scientific basis required; collaboration with National Center for Marine Nature Restoration is encouraged

Required Documents

• Submit project idea through VELUX FONDEN portal when intake round is open

Constraints

• Minimum project budget DKK 500,000
• Projects should align with UN Ocean Decade framework and be prepared to report results accordingly

Summary

VELUX FONDEN's 'Conservation of the Ocean' grant area aims to contribute to a healthy marine environment capable of withstanding climate change. The foundation recognises that ocean ecosystems are under sustained pressure from human activities and supports research and solution development for marine environmental challenges. The programme runs from 2023 to 2030, aligned with the UN Decade of Ocean Science. The programme has three thematic sub-areas: (1) Restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems with a climate focus — including nature restoration to absorb and store carbon; (2) Combating marine pollution — addressing pollutants, wastewater, marine debris including plastic pollution, shipping, and offshore activities; (3) Future climate solutions and their impact on maritime ecosystems — including CCS, offshore installations, and deep-sea activities. Eligible activities include research projects, knowledge development, applied solutions for marine restoration, pollution assessment and reduction, citizen involvement, and partnerships with public bodies. All projects must have a strong scientific basis. Projects are expected to report their results to the UN Ocean Decade framework and are encouraged to engage with the Danish Mission Ocean hub. The geographic focus is Danish sea areas — primarily Danish coastal and marine environments — with a strong Baltic Sea dimension. International partnerships are welcome, particularly through IOC-UNESCO frameworks. VELUX FONDEN is active in the Foundations Dialogue for the Ocean Decade. Eligible applicants include research institutions, NGOs, foundations, and other non-commercial entities. Commercial projects and aquaculture/fishing projects are explicitly excluded. Minimum project budget is DKK 500,000. Current calls show 0 open calls at time of review, but new rounds are announced periodically on the website. Budget of past grants ranges from DKK 525,000 to DKK 9.6 million. No co-funding percentage is specified. VELUX FONDEN manages the programme through periodic project idea intake rounds rather than continuous rolling applications.

Historical Context

VELUX FONDEN's Environment and Sustainability programme (2023-2030) has three sub-programmes: (1) Restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems with a focus on climate, (2) Combating marine pollution, (3) Future climate solutions and their impact on maritime ecosystems. VELUX FONDEN co-founded the National Center for Marine Nature Restoration with the Ministry of Environment. VELUX FONDEN and IOC-UNESCO launched a Global Initiative to Boost Climate Resilience in Marine Protected Areas in June 2025. Past grants include Køge Bay Marine Park (DKK 9.6m, 2022), Healthy Vejle Fiord 2.0 (DKK 4.0m, 2025), Blue Gold (DKK 525,000, 2024).

Sources

• https://veluxfoundations.dk/en/group/grantarea/environment-and-sustainability-danish-sea-areas

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