World Bank PROBLUE

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

Multilateral Blended Finance Grant Technical Assistance Africa Global Southeast Asia Aquaculture Biodiversity Blue Economy Coastal Protection Fisheries Marine Conservation Plastic Waste Pollution
Multi-donor trust fund supporting integrated and sustainable development of marine and coastal resources through a comprehensive blue economy approach.

Source: https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/problue

Funding Details

Funder
World Bank PROBLUE (Multi-Donor Trust Fund)
Funding Goal
PROBLUE is a multi-donor umbrella trust fund administered by the World Bank that supports sustainable and integrated development of marine and coastal resources for a healthy ocean. Priority areas include: sustainable fisheries management (reducing overfishing, IUU fishing, harmful subsidies), sustainable aquaculture development, coastal and marine ecosystem protection and restoration, marine plastic pollution reduction (including circular economy approaches), maritime decarbonization, blue economy development, marine spatial planning, and climate resilience for coastal communities. In fiscal year 2024, PROBLUE approved 64 proposals totaling $37.8 million across 247 activities in over 100 economies.
Funding Amount
PROBLUE approved $37.8 million in FY2024 across 64 proposals. Total portfolio of $182 million supporting 247 activities. Individual grants vary widely based on project scope. Extended to 2030 by 12 donor partners.
How to Apply
Access primarily through World Bank country operations. Government clients can request PROBLUE-funded technical assistance through World Bank country teams. Research and technical organizations may engage as partners via World Bank procurement. No direct public grant application portal identified for NGOs.
Target Region
Global - over 100 economies, with significant work in Africa (West Africa WACA), Pacific Islands, Caribbean, Morocco, South Africa, Lebanon, and other developing country coastal regions
Contact
World Bank PROBLUE program - via World Bank country offices or worldbank.org/en/programs/problue
Last Checked
2026-03-15 09:14

Application Checklist

Eligibility
Project Scope
Constraints

Summary

World Bank PROBLUE is a major multilateral trust fund dedicated to healthy oceans and sustainable blue economies. Supported by twelve donor countries and administered by the World Bank, it funds technical assistance, policy reform, and investment projects related to fisheries, aquaculture, coastal ecosystems, plastic pollution, and maritime sectors across more than 100 countries. PROBLUE works through the World Bank's country operations, channeling expertise and resources to national governments for blue economy development. In fiscal year 2024, it approved 64 proposals worth $37.8 million, and the overall portfolio totals $182 million. The fund has been extended to 2030, reaffirming its long-term commitment to ocean health. Key thematic areas relevant to marine conservation and plastic pollution include: coastal forest and ecosystem restoration, marine plastic pollution reduction (including plastic reclaimers in South Africa), fisheries management and data collection, sustainable aquaculture, and coastal resilience. The fund explicitly addresses plastic pollution from source to sea and circular economy approaches. For NGOs and civil society organizations, PROBLUE does not offer a direct open grant application process. Access is primarily through World Bank-led country operations, where organizations may participate as technical partners or implementing agencies within larger World Bank projects.

Historical Context

PROBLUE was established as an umbrella multi-donor trust fund by the World Bank. In June 2024, the program was extended to 2030 by 12 donor partners including Sweden (SEK 300 million additional support announced at CBD COP16). PROBLUE 2024 Annual Report shows $182 million total portfolio supporting 247 activities across 100+ economies. Work covers South Africa plastic reclaimers, Lebanon waste management, Morocco fisheries and coastal forests, Pacific Islands fisheries capacity building, and Seychelles ocean governance.

Why it was added

Major World Bank fund specifically for blue economy and marine/coastal resource sustainability, strong funding potential for NGO projects

Sources

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