Deadline: 28-Aug-2026
The European Commission is inviting grant applications to strengthen sustainable natural resource management, climate resilience, food security, and ecosystem protection in Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs). The programme supports large-scale actions that improve food systems, protect biodiversity, and enhance resilience to climate change and external shocks.
This call is part of the 2021–2027 Regional Multiannual Indicative Programme for Caribbean OCTs, which aims to strengthen natural capital management and promote sustainable, climate-smart development across the region.
About the Programme
- The call supports Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories.
- It focuses on climate resilience and sustainable development.
- It strengthens food systems and ecosystem protection.
- The programme promotes nature-based and climate-smart solutions.
- It supports biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.
- It encourages regional cooperation and integration.
- It promotes inclusive, gender-responsive development approaches.
- It applies human-rights-based and circular economy principles.
Programme Objectives
- Improve food sovereignty and nutrition security.
- Build resilient and climate-smart food systems.
- Strengthen sustainable agriculture and aquaculture.
- Enhance fisheries and marine resource management.
- Protect and restore terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
- Support biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services.
- Improve water resource management and sanitation systems.
- Promote nature-based economic development.
- Strengthen regional cooperation and integration.
- Manage invasive species and environmental threats.
- Apply circular economy and sustainability principles.
- Ensure inclusive and gender-responsive approaches.
Key Focus Areas
Lot 1: Sustainable Agriculture, Food Security and Water Management
- Resilient and climate-smart food systems.
- Regenerative agriculture practices.
- Food sovereignty and nutrition security.
- Sustainable aquaculture and fisheries.
- Strengthening local value chains.
- Water resource management and sanitation systems.
- Nature-based solutions for food production.
- Climate adaptation in agriculture systems.
Lot 2: Marine Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Invasive Species
- Protection and restoration of marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
- Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management.
- Sustainable fisheries management.
- Management of invasive species, including sargassum.
- Nature-positive and circular economy approaches.
- Ecosystem-based adaptation to climate change.
- Sustainable use of marine resources.
- Strengthening ecosystem services and resilience.
Funding Information
- Total indicative budget: €20,850,000.
- Lot 1 allocation: €10,425,000.
- Lot 2 allocation: €10,425,000.
- Minimum grant request: €6,500,000.
- Maximum grant request: €10,425,000.
- Large-scale project funding mechanism.
- Multi-country and regional actions expected.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible lead applicants must:
- Be legal persons.
- Operate on a non-profit basis.
- Be one of the following:
- Non-governmental organisations, or
- Public sector operators, or
- International inter-governmental organisations.
- Be established in:
- A European Union Member State, or
- Eligible Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories.
- Be directly responsible for project design and implementation.
- Work with co-applicants and affiliated entities as required.
Who Can Benefit?
The programme supports:
- Communities dependent on agriculture and fisheries.
- Coastal and marine ecosystems and users.
- Local food producers and value chain actors.
- Small-scale farmers and aquaculture operators.
- Caribbean OCT populations vulnerable to climate change.
- Environmental and biodiversity management systems.
- Regional institutions working on sustainability and resilience.
Expected Outcomes
Funded projects are expected to deliver:
- Improved food security and nutrition outcomes.
- More resilient and sustainable food systems.
- Enhanced biodiversity protection and ecosystem health.
- Restored and better-managed terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
- Stronger climate adaptation and resilience capacity.
- Improved management of invasive species.
- Strengthened local value chains and livelihoods.
- Expanded use of nature-based and circular economy solutions.
- Enhanced regional cooperation and environmental governance.
Why This Programme Matters
- Caribbean OCTs are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts.
- Food systems face risks from environmental and economic shocks.
- Marine ecosystems are critical for livelihoods and biodiversity.
- Sustainable resource management strengthens long-term resilience.
- Integrated approaches improve both environmental and economic outcomes.
- Regional cooperation enhances scale and effectiveness of interventions.
- Nature-based solutions support climate adaptation and mitigation.
Application Tips
- Align proposals with either Lot 1 or Lot 2 objectives.
- Demonstrate strong regional relevance and impact.
- Include climate-smart and nature-based solutions.
- Show clear integration of food systems or ecosystem protection goals.
- Present strong multi-stakeholder and regional partnerships.
- Incorporate gender-responsive and inclusive approaches.
- Highlight sustainability and long-term impact strategies.
- Provide robust technical and financial implementation plans.
- Ensure compliance with eligibility and geographic requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this European Commission call about?
- It funds large-scale projects in Caribbean OCTs focused on food security, climate resilience, biodiversity protection, and ecosystem management.
How much funding is available?
- The total budget is €20,850,000, with grants between €6,500,000 and €10,425,000.
What are the programme’s main areas?
- Sustainable food systems (Lot 1) and marine biodiversity and ecosystem protection (Lot 2).
Who can apply?
- Non-profit organisations, public sector operators, and international organisations established in the EU or eligible Caribbean OCTs.
What types of activities are supported?
- Climate-smart agriculture, fisheries management, ecosystem restoration, invasive species control, and water management.
What is the main goal of the programme?
- To strengthen food systems and protect ecosystems while improving climate resilience in Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories.
Conclusion
The European Commission call for Caribbean OCTs supports large-scale investments in climate resilience, food security, and ecosystem protection. By funding integrated, nature-based, and sustainable development actions, the programme aims to strengthen biodiversity, improve livelihoods, and build long-term environmental and food system resilience across the region.
For more information, visit European Commission.
