Blue Action Fund Grant Programme

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Enriched International · Found: 2026-03-10 21:45

Funder: Blue Action Fund

Grants for NGOs to establish and enhance Marine Protected Areas focus on Africa

Source: https://www.blueactionfund.org/grant-programme/

Funding Details

Funder: Blue Action Fund
Funding Goal: Reduce the dramatic loss of marine biodiversity and improve incomes of coastal fishing communities by supporting establishment, enlargement and improved management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) in Africa, Latin America and Asia/Pacific, with a focus on measurable conservation outcomes and enhanced livelihoods in coastal communities.
Funding Amount: Typically EUR 12-30 million per Call for Proposals (total envelope); individual grants not specified but substantial multi-year project grants to NGOs (up to 20.000.000 €)
Deadline: Upcoming call planned Q2/2026 (Mangroves, Blue Carbon Markets and 30x30 in Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and India). No currently open call as of May 2026. (periodic)
How to Apply: Open Calls for Proposals only; no unsolicited proposals. Applicants must consult Grant Programme documents, check Call-specific geographic and strategic focus, and ensure measurable contribution to prescribed indicators. See Grant Procedures Manual at blueactionfund.org/documents/
Target Region: Africa, Latin America, Asia/Pacific (developing countries with sensitive marine and coastal ecosystems)
Contact: See contact form at https://www.blueactionfund.org/about-us/#contact
Official Page: https://www.blueactionfund.org/funding-opportunities/
Last Checked: 2026-05-07 05:55

Application Checklist

Eligibility

Applicant must be a national or international NGO
No unsolicited proposals — must apply through an open Call for Proposals
Must demonstrate capacity to implement large-scale conservation projects

Project Scope

Project must focus on MPAs, OECMs, or coastal livelihoods in developing countries
Must work within geographic focus of the specific Call for Proposals (next: Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, India)
Project must deliver measurable outcomes on MPA management and/or coastal livelihoods

Required Documents

Refer to Grant Procedures Manual for full eligibility requirements

Constraints

Each Call sets a specific strategic and geographic focus to be followed

Summary

Blue Action Fund is a dedicated foundation that provides large grants to national and international NGOs for marine conservation in developing countries. Its overarching goal is to reduce marine biodiversity loss and improve livelihoods of coastal fishing communities across Africa, Latin America, and Asia/Pacific. The programme focuses exclusively on two outcome areas: (1) newly established or better-managed Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) leading to biodiversity conservation; and (2) enhanced livelihood conditions in coastal communities. Activities funded typically include MPA establishment, governance strengthening, sustainable fisheries management, ecosystem-based adaptation, and community livelihood development. Eligible activities span MPA establishment and management, ecological monitoring, community engagement, sustainable fisheries governance, mangrove and coastal habitat restoration, blue carbon, and ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change. Geographic scope covers developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, Asia/Pacific, and Small Island Developing States. Eligible applicants are national and international NGOs with demonstrated implementation capacity, working in consortium with local partners. No unsolicited proposals are accepted — all funding flows through periodic open Calls for Proposals, each targeting specific geographic regions. Grant envelopes per call range from EUR 10-30 million (total), implying sizeable multi-year project grants per awardee. No upper limit per grant is specified, but past grants to organisations like WWF, WCS, TNC, and Fauna & Flora International suggest multi-million euro multi-year awards. An upcoming Call for Proposals is planned for Q2/2026 with a focus on mangroves, blue carbon markets, and 30x30 in Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and India. Interested applicants should subscribe to Funding Alerts via the Blue Action Fund website.

Historical Context

Blue Action Fund has run at least 11 calls since 2016, each with a geographic focus and EUR 10-30 million envelope. Most recent closed call: Eastern Tropical Pacific (Aug 2024, EUR 20M). Upcoming call: Q2/2026 for Mangroves, Blue Carbon Markets and 30x30 in Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and India.

Why it was added

Round 10 Global South search - GEO6

Sources

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