Deadline: 16-Oct-2026
The Blue Action Fund has launched a competitive funding call to support mangrove ecosystem conservation, restoration, and blue carbon development in Asia.
The programme focuses on:
- Biodiversity conservation
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation
- Coastal livelihood improvement
- Expansion of protected marine and coastal areas
Geographic Scope
Eligible countries include:
Thematic Focus Areas
Mangrove Protection and Restoration
- Establishment of new protected areas (PAs)
- Improved management of existing PAs
- Use of Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs)
- Large-scale mangrove ecosystem restoration
Blue Carbon Development
- Development of high-integrity carbon credit projects
- Carbon sequestration and storage in mangrove ecosystems
- Climate finance integration
- Monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems
Biodiversity Conservation
- Protection of coastal and marine ecosystems
- Alignment with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
- Contribution to the global “30×30” conservation target
Sustainable Livelihoods
- Community-based resource management
- Alternative income opportunities for coastal communities
- Sustainable fisheries and ecosystem-based livelihoods
Project Requirements
Scale and Impact
Projects must:
- Cover at least 1,000 hectares of mangrove ecosystems
- Demonstrate measurable biodiversity and climate impact
- Include long-term sustainability planning
Carbon Credit Readiness
Projects must show:
- Pathway toward high-integrity carbon credit generation
- Carbon accounting and feasibility assessments
- Verified MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification) systems
- Financial viability for carbon market participation
Institutional Readiness
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Stakeholder mapping and engagement plans
- Regulatory compliance pathways
- Social and environmental safeguard frameworks
- FPIC (Free, Prior and Informed Consent) processes
- Equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms
Eligible Applicants
Who Can Apply
- Charitable non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
- Consortia of NGOs
Required Expertise (especially for consortia)
Applications should include expertise in:
- Mangrove conservation and restoration
- Blue carbon project development
- Carbon accounting and MRV systems
- Financial feasibility analysis
- Carbon credit documentation and compliance
Funding Overview
Blue Action Fund Contribution
- €2 million to €4 million per project
Co-Funding Requirement
- Minimum 25% of total project costs must be co-financed
Programme Duration
- Up to 5 years maximum per project
Total Funding Envelope
- Up to €17 million total available under this call
Application Process
Stage 1: Concept Submission
- Initial competitive application
- Review based on technical merit and alignment with objectives
Stage 2: Full Proposal
- Selected applicants invited to submit detailed proposal
- Includes financial, technical, and implementation planning
Key Evaluation Criteria
Environmental Impact
- Strength of biodiversity conservation outcomes
- Mangrove restoration effectiveness
- Contribution to climate mitigation
Carbon Project Quality
- Integrity of carbon credit development pathway
- Strength of MRV systems
- Financial viability of carbon model
Community and Social Impact
- Inclusion of coastal communities
- Livelihood improvements
- Equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms
Technical and Institutional Capacity
- Experience in mangrove and coastal ecosystems
- Ability to manage large-scale conservation projects
- Strong consortium partnerships (if applicable)
Why This Programme Matters
- Protects critical mangrove ecosystems
- Advances global climate mitigation through blue carbon
- Supports sustainable coastal livelihoods
- Expands protected marine areas globally
- Strengthens high-integrity carbon markets
How It Works
Step 1: Project Design
- Identify mangrove ecosystem site (≥1,000 ha)
- Define conservation and restoration strategy
- Include blue carbon potential analysis
Step 2: Consortium Formation (if applicable)
- Assemble NGOs with complementary expertise
- Include carbon, MRV, and finance specialists
Step 3: Feasibility Preparation
- Conduct stakeholder mapping
- Assess regulatory and environmental requirements
- Evaluate carbon credit viability
- Design benefit-sharing framework
Step 4: Stage 1 Application
- Submit concept proposal
- Highlight impact, scale, and readiness
Step 5: Stage 2 Proposal (if shortlisted)
- Detailed implementation plan
- Full budget and co-financing structure
- Technical MRV and carbon strategy
Step 6: Implementation
- Execute mangrove restoration and protection
- Implement carbon monitoring systems
- Engage communities and stakeholders
- Report progress and outcomes
Common Mistakes
- Insufficient mangrove area coverage (<1,000 ha)
- Weak carbon credit feasibility pathway
- Missing MRV system design
- Poorly defined community benefit structures
- Lack of co-financing strategy (25% requirement not met)
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly define large-scale ecosystem impact
- Strengthen carbon credit methodology early
- Include experienced blue carbon partners
- Demonstrate strong community engagement and FPIC compliance
- Provide realistic financial and technical implementation plan
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Blue Action Fund call for?
- Supports mangrove conservation and blue carbon projects in Asia
- Focus on biodiversity and climate action
- Includes coastal community livelihoods
How much funding is available?
- €2–4 million per project from Blue Action Fund
- Requires at least 25% co-funding
- Total programme envelope up to €17 million
Where can projects be implemented?
- Eligible countries include:
- Indonesia
- Philippines
- Vietnam
- India
What is the minimum project size?
- At least 1,000 hectares of mangrove ecosystems
What is required for carbon projects?
- High-integrity carbon credit pathway
- MRV systems (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification)
- Financial feasibility and documentation
- Compliance with environmental safeguards
Who can apply?
- NGOs and NGO consortia
- Must have expertise in mangrove conservation and blue carbon
- Must include technical carbon and finance capacity
What is the project duration?
- Up to 5 years maximum
What is the application process?
- Two-stage process:
- Stage 1: Concept note
- Stage 2: Full proposal for shortlisted applicants
Conclusion
The Blue Action Fund mangrove and blue carbon call supports large-scale ecosystem restoration and conservation projects across Asia. By combining biodiversity protection, climate mitigation, and sustainable livelihoods, the programme aims to strengthen coastal resilience while enabling high-integrity carbon credit development over multi-year implementation cycles.
For more information, visit Blue Action Fund.