Deadline: 1-Aug-25
The BC+ program, launched by Conservation International and The Nature Conservancy, is a global initiative designed to address systemic bottlenecks to scaling business models that incentivize the conservation of blue carbon ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrasses, and tidal marshes.
It aims to tackle environmental challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss while supporting local economies through technical assistance, grant funding, and attracting private finance.
The BC+ Mangrove-Positive Businesses Funding Window aims to scale high-impact value chainsintegrated shrimp farming, mud crab aquaculture, nutraceuticals from mangroves, and Nypa palm productsby addressing the systemic bottlenecks. They are seeking organizations open to partnering with them to address and eliminate these sectoral bottlenecks.
BC+ focuses on creating scalable, regenerative business models that integrate conservation and production goals, ensuring long-term ecological and economic benefit.
Bottlenecks Priorities
- Integrated Mud Crab Farming with Mangroves
- Seed scarcity
- Limited technical know-how
- Risk of mangrove loss
- Infrastructure for production
- Live transport issues
- Price volatility and regulations
- Sustainable Shrimp
- Disease risk
- Poor value chain integration
- Evidence base
- Traceability issues and certification barriers for smallholders
- Nutraceutical Products from Mangroves
- Insufficient market research and private sector engagement
- Lack of research partnerships and investment
- Nypa Sugar and Emerging Uses
Why Apply?
- Grant funding that can help accelerate model development and growth.
- Networking opportunities with investors and partners dedicated to blue carbon innovations.
- Expert technical support and mentorship tailored to blue carbon solutions.
- Recognition as a leader in driving impactful change for coastal ecosystems and communities.
Funding Information
- Up to $1.25 million USD in total funding and technical assistance is available this year to tackle these bottlenecks, with potential for additional support in the future. The number of partners selected will depend on the quality of applications and funding requested. Ideally, they are looking to fund ~5 partners this year.
Eligibility Criteria
- They are inviting applications that meet the following criteria:
- This call is open to organizations (local businesses, NGOs, community enterprises/cooperatives, and others) working to overcome the systemic bottlenecks identified above. Preference will be given to proposals led by organizations operating in close proximity to the project site, ensuring deeper contextual understanding and sustainable impact.
- Geographical Focus: Preference for this call for applications is applicants from countries that have significant mangrove cover and enabling conditions Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Belize, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji.
- Demonstrated Impact: Applicants must show how their solution contributes to tangible environmental, social, and/or economic outcomes for blue carbon ecosystems. These may include improve carbon sequestration, enhanced biodiversity, market differentiation, or increased and more equitable income generation for local communities.
- Community Engagement: Your solution should preferably center Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP&LCs), and demonstrate fair, inclusive benefit-sharing. Proposals that strengthen local ownership, decision-making, and capacity-building are strongly encouraged.
- Financial Sustainability & Scalability: You should present a clear path toward financial sustainability, with realistic plans to scale operations over time. Proposals should articulate how addressing systemic bottlenecks will unlock business growth and long-term impact.
- Learning & Impact Mindset: You have a strong desire to learn and collaborate with other BC+ partners, including those operating in similar sectors. You are eager to engage with the BC+ team and other partners to continuously learn, share experiences, and make a meaningful impact.
For more information, visit BC+.