KfW Sustainable Ocean Fund (SOF)

Enriched bilateral · Found: 2026-04-20 23:05

KfW-backed fund investing in SMEs practicing sustainable fishing, conservation of marine/coastal ecosystems, and reducing plastic pollution through production methods or business models. Active since 2019.

Source: https://www.kfw-entwicklungsbank.de/SDG-portal/SDG-12/Sustainable-Ocean-Fund/

Funding Details

Funder

KfW Development Bank

Funding Goal

Invest in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the Blue Economy — sustainable fishing, aquaculture, marine and coastal ecosystem conservation, and reduction of plastic pollution — primarily in the Caribbean region through loans or equity capital

Funding Amount

Fund volume USD 132 million; KfW contributes EUR 25 million equity; investments made as loans or equity in SMEs, duration up to 8 years; KfW resources restricted to Caribbean investments

Deadline

Rolling basis — SOF is an active investment fund; approach via fund management (Rolling)

How to Apply

The Sustainable Ocean Fund (SOF) is managed externally and invests in SMEs; companies seeking investment should approach the SOF fund manager directly. KfW is an investor in SOF, not the direct grant or loan disbursement point. Contact via SOF's fund management. No open call for proposals — investment decisions are negotiated case by case.

Target Region

Global focus with KfW resources restricted to Caribbean (Caribbean biodiversity and marine ecosystems)

Contact

KfW Development Bank — contact via kfw-entwicklungsbank.de; SOF fund management contact not listed on this page

Last Checked

2026-04-20 23:55

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be an SME — small or medium-sized company, not an NGO or non-profit
• Company must be operating in Caribbean for KfW-funded investments; global for other SOF investors

Project Scope

• Business must operate in the Blue Economy: sustainable fishing, aquaculture, MPA management, or ocean-related circular economy
• Business model must demonstrate sustainable ocean use and biodiversity contribution

Required Documents

• No open call — approach SOF fund manager directly for investment consideration

Constraints

• Investment form: loan or equity capital, not a grant
• Investment duration up to 8 years

Summary

The Sustainable Ocean Fund (SOF) is a private impact investment fund founded in 2018 that invests in small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the Blue Economy. KfW Development Bank is SOF's largest single investor, contributing EUR 25 million in equity on behalf of the German Federal Government, specifically for investments in Caribbean Blue Economy enterprises. SOF's investment mandate covers companies that use ocean resources sustainably and protect marine biodiversity. Priority sectors include sustainable fishing and aquaculture, management of coastal and marine protected areas, reduction of plastic and waste pollution from maritime operations, seaweed harvesting and processing, and other businesses aligned with the circular economy in marine contexts. The fund invests globally, but KfW's contribution is directed exclusively toward the Caribbean region, which is among the world's most biodiverse marine regions and is heavily affected by climate change, coral reef degradation, overfishing, and tourism-related waste. SOF provides eligible SMEs with loans or equity investments for up to eight years to support sustainable growth. The fund targets companies that maintain or create approximately 10,000 jobs, mostly in coastal communities with limited alternative employment. It also invests in better management of coastal and marine protected areas and sustainable mangrove use. Examples of funded enterprises include: Martec Industries (Costa Rica — sustainable seafood certification), Clean Marine Group (Bahamas — cruise ship waste treatment), Carbon Wave (Mexico — Sargassum seaweed to bio-products), and a marine protected area management entity in Belize. The fund targets sustainable management of approximately 87,000 hectares of marine ecosystems. The mechanism is private equity/loan investment into SMEs, not a grant programme or open call for NGO projects. Companies seeking investment engage with the SOF fund manager directly. This fund is categorised under SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

Historical Context

SOF founded in 2018. KfW became largest single investor with EUR 25 million equity on behalf of German Federal Government. Fund volume USD 132 million. Investments have included: Martec Industries (Costa Rica, seafood), Clean Marine Group (Bahamas, cruise ship waste management), Carbon Wave (Mexico, Sargassum seaweed processing), and a marine protected area management project in Belize. Fund targets 87,000 hectares of sustainably managed marine ecosystems and supports ~10,000 jobs.

Why it was added

discovered from funder #523: KfW Development Bank

Sources

• https://www.kfw-entwicklungsbank.de/SDG-portal/SDG-12/Sustainable-Ocean-Fund/

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