What are the priority areas that projects should address?

Projects must focus on the sustainable management of coral reefs and/or related coastal ecosystems such as mangroves and seagrasses. Projects should be innovative and with the potential for replication in other settings. Within their concept notes, projects should prioritize climate change resilience, adaptation, ecosystem restoration and recovery, approaches to payment for ecosystem services (PES), community engagement, sustainable blue economy and/or implementation of conservation tools such as marine protected areas or locally managed marine areas.

Projects in developing countries will be prioritized. Examples of activities that would qualify for this grant include, inter alia:

• Community-based ecosystem restoration;
• Development, management and sustainable financing of locally managed marine areas or marine protected areas;
• Community-based blue carbon projects;
• Co-management of marine resources through public and private partnerships;
• Payment for coastal ecosystem services projects;
• Mainstreaming of gender in coastal ecosystem managementGrants are available to governments, NGOs and community groups, for projects implemented in developing countries, least developed countries and small island developing states. Proposals that implement UNEP guidelines and best practices will be view favorably.For more information on how to apply for the small grants programme, please download:
  • the call for proposals (PDF File)
  • Annexe: Concept Note Template (Word doc)