GEF International Waters Focal Area

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Enriched UN / Multilateral · Found: 2026-03-10 13:22

The Global Environment Facility provides grants to developing countries for transboundary water systems including oceans, fostering sustainable marine ecosystem management and protection.

Source: https://www.thegef.org/topics/international-waters

Funding Details

Funder: Global Environment Facility (GEF) - International Waters Focal Area
Funding Goal: Support transboundary cooperation in shared marine and freshwater ecosystems through grants to developing country governments and civil society. Focus areas include: sustainable management of coastal and marine large ecosystems, reduction of land-based pollution, sustainable fisheries (reducing IUU fishing, harmful subsidies), sustainable aquaculture, marine spatial planning, 30x30 ocean protection targets, BBNJ Agreement implementation, and blue carbon inventories. Promotes multi-country cooperation frameworks, regional treaties, and integrated cross-sectoral approaches engaging NGOs, communities, and governments.
Funding Amount: GEF Small Grants Programme offers up to $75,000 for community/CSO projects; up to $150,000 for strategic projects. Larger transboundary projects funded via GEF Agencies (UNDP, World Bank, etc.) range from millions to tens of millions. (up to 75.000 €)
How to Apply: For large projects: work through GEF national focal points and GEF Implementing Agencies (UNDP, UNEP, World Bank, FAO, etc.) to develop project concepts. For civil society/community projects: contact local GEF SGP country program via UNDP at sgp.undp.org. GEF-8 replenishment is the current funding cycle.
Target Region: Global - developing countries with transboundary marine and freshwater ecosystems
Contact: GEF Secretariat via thegef.org/contact-us; SGP via sgp.undp.org
Last Checked: 2026-03-15 09:14

Application Checklist

Eligibility

For large projects: applicant country must be a GEF recipient (developing) country
CSOs and CBOs can apply directly to GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) via UNDP country offices
Large projects must be channeled through a GEF Implementing Agency (UNDP, World Bank, UNEP, FAO, etc.)

Project Scope

Project must address transboundary marine or freshwater ecosystem issues
Project must deliver global environmental benefits (GEBs) aligned with GEF's mandate
Multi-country cooperation or transboundary approach strongly preferred for IW focal area

Required Documents

GEF-8 is the current replenishment cycle - coordinate with national GEF focal points

Constraints

SGP grants: up to $75,000 for standard projects, up to $150,000 for strategic projects

Summary

The GEF International Waters (IW) focal area is the world's largest multilateral funding mechanism dedicated to transboundary cooperation on marine and freshwater ecosystems. It supports developing countries and regions in addressing shared threats such as overfishing, land-based pollution, unsustainable aquaculture, invasive species, and climate change impacts. GEF IW investments have supported negotiation of regional cooperation frameworks, treaties, and action plans across major marine regions worldwide. Large projects are implemented through GEF Agencies such as UNDP, UNEP, the World Bank, FAO, and others. Civil society organizations and community-based groups in eligible developing countries can access funding directly through the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP), which provides grants of up to $75,000 (or $150,000 for strategic projects) for locally-led environmental initiatives. The current GEF-8 replenishment cycle covers marine priorities including sustainable fisheries management, blue carbon, marine protected areas contributing to the 30x30 global target, plastic pollution reduction, and BBNJ Agreement implementation. GEF IW works at both regional policy level and community scale across over 100 countries. For European or Nordic marine NGOs, direct access to GEF IW funding is limited since GEF primarily targets developing nations. However, organizations working in Africa, Southeast Asia, or other eligible regions may find pathways through GEF SGP or as sub-contractors to GEF Implementing Agencies.

Historical Context

GEF has operated its International Waters focal area since 1991. Currently in GEF-8 replenishment cycle. GEF-8 allocated $155 million to the Small Grants Programme. GEF is the world's largest funding mechanism for multi-country collaboration on freshwater and ocean issues. As of June 2023, GEF serves as part of the financial mechanism for the BBNJ Agreement.

Why it was added

Major multilateral funding mechanism for transboundary marine and ocean conservation projects, directly relevant for NGOs working on marine protection

Sources

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