KfW Blue Action Fund (BAF) – Marine Conservation Grants for NGOs
Enriched bilateral · Found: 2026-04-20 23:05
KfW Blue Action Fund (launched 2016) finances NGO projects for establishing and managing marine protected areas, improving livelihoods through sustainable marine resources. Global scope, ~EUR 200 million endowment. Regular open calls for NGO project proposals.
Source: https://www.kfw-entwicklungsbank.de/SDG-portal/SDG-14/PI-Blue-Action-Fund/
Funding Details
- Funder
- Blue Action Fund / KfW Development Bank
- Funding Goal
- Support marine conservation projects implemented by national and international NGOs to establish new marine protected areas, expand or better manage existing MPAs, and improve livelihoods of coastal communities in developing countries through sustainable marine resource management
- Funding Amount
- Fund endowment approximately EUR 200 million; individual project grants vary; funded NGOs include WWF, Conservation International, WCS, Fauna & Flora International, Blue Ventures and national/regional NGOs
- Deadline
- Periodic — open calls published on rolling basis; check blueactionfund.org for current calls (periodic)
- How to Apply
- Interested NGOs submit project proposals following regularly published Calls for Proposals on the Blue Action Fund website (blueactionfund.org/funding-opportunities). Selection considers national and regional conservation strategies. IUCN provides strategic advice to BAF. Apply via blueactionfund.org.
- Target Region
- Global developing countries — primary focus on Africa, Latin America, Asia/Pacific (particularly coastal and marine areas)
- Contact
- KfW Development Bank: Marcus.Stewen@kfw.de, +49 69 7431-4187; Blue Action Fund: blueactionfund.org/about-us/#contact
- Official Page
- https://www.blueactionfund.org/funding-opportunities/
- Last Checked
- 2026-04-20 23:54
Application Checklist
Eligibility
Project Scope
Required Documents
Constraints
Summary
The Blue Action Fund (BAF) is a non-profit foundation established in 2016 by KfW Development Bank on behalf of Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), with co-financing from Sweden, France, Norway, Ireland, and the Green Climate Fund. The fund's endowment stands at approximately EUR 200 million as of 2025–2026. BAF does not implement projects itself but provides grants to NGOs. The fund targets marine and coastal conservation in developing countries, with a focus on Africa, Latin America, and Asia/Pacific. Priority areas include establishing new marine protected areas, expanding or improving management of existing MPAs, combating illegal and unsustainable fishing, promoting climate adaptation for coastal communities, and restoring coastal and marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds. Eligible activities include: designation and management of MPAs and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs); sustainable fisheries governance and livelihoods; community-based marine resource management; monitoring, technology, and capacity building for protected area management; and ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change. Equipment for monitoring (e.g. patrol boats, satellite monitoring) and local capacity development are also supported. Eligible applicants are national and international NGOs with relevant expertise and local presence in developing countries. Projects by large international NGOs (WWF, Conservation International, WCS, Fauna & Flora International, Blue Ventures, TNC, MarViva, etc.) and regional or national NGOs have been funded. EU-registered NGOs may apply if their projects are in developing-country target regions; the fund does not support projects in EU waters or developed-country coastal zones. The fund operates through periodic open Calls for Proposals published on the Blue Action Fund website. Project selection is guided by national and regional conservation strategies, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and BMZ's marine conservation priorities. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) provides strategic advisory support. As of January 2026, BAF has funded 34 projects (28 ongoing, 6 completed) across 22 countries, managed approximately 300,000 km² of MPA more effectively, created nearly 150,000 km² of new MPA, and benefited over 645,000 people directly. A EUR 30 million sub-tranche from the Green Climate Fund is specifically directed to climate adaptation for coastal communities in the Mozambique Channel region.
Historical Context
BAF established in 2016 by KfW and Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Sweden joined in 2017, France in 2018, Norway and Ireland in 2021/22. Green Climate Fund contributed EUR 30 million in 2021 for Mozambique Channel climate adaptation projects. As of January 2026 the fund has EUR 200 million endowment, has funded 28 ongoing and 6 completed projects in 22 countries, managed 300,000 km² of MPA and added 150,000 km² new MPA. Over 645,000 people benefit directly. Annual calls for proposals published periodically.
Why it was added
discovered from funder #523: KfW Development Bank
Sources
- https://www.kfw-entwicklungsbank.de/SDG-portal/SDG-14/PI-Blue-Action-Fund/
- https://www.blueactionfund.org/
- https://www.blueactionfund.org/grant-programme/
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