Small Grants and Tailored support to boost HPA Effectiveness

Deadline: 31-Dec-2025

The Together for the Med partnership has opened a call for expressions of interest to strengthen Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Mediterranean and support their transition toward Highly Protected Areas. The initiative provides technical assistance and small grants up to €5,000 to help organisations carry out essential groundwork, community engagement, and early-stage planning. Priority is given to regions lagging behind the 30×30 and 10×30 conservation targets to build a more effective, coherent marine protection network.

Overview

The Together for the Med partnership is supporting Mediterranean organisations working to enhance the protection, management, and long-term effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). This call focuses on advancing sites toward Highly Protected Area (HPA) status by combining financial support, technical assistance, and community-driven conservation planning.

Key Objectives of the Call

Supporting Early-Stage Work for Future Highly Protected Areas

The initiative funds activities that establish the foundational work required to move MPAs toward stronger protection levels.
Core objectives include:

• Strengthening local MPA governance

• Conducting assessments, planning, and stakeholder consultations

• Addressing ecological, social, and economic needs

• Laying groundwork for effective long-term marine conservation

Improving Equity in Mediterranean Marine Protection

The programme aims to reduce geographic disparities in marine conservation.
Priority will be given to areas:

• Far from achieving 30×30 and 10×30 regional conservation goals

• Needing early-stage work to establish or reinforce protected zones

• Lacking adequate management structures or resources

Promoting Community Engagement

The call emphasises active involvement of local communities.
Key goals include:

• Integrating local perspectives into MPA and HPA design

• Strengthening community acceptance of conservation measures

• Balancing ecological protection with socio-economic needs

• Building shared stewardship and stronger local governance

Funding and Support Available

Small Grants

• Maximum grant amount: €5,000

• Intended for essential groundwork, planning, community engagement, and preliminary conservation actions

Technical Assistance

• Provided to all selected applicants

• Includes expert guidance on planning, environmental assessment, policy alignment, and community engagement

Support Timeline

• Assistance and grants delivered over six months (March–September 2026)

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants must be based in Mediterranean coastal countries.
However, applicants from:

• Algeria, Lebanon, Monaco, and Syria may receive technical assistance only due to regulatory constraints.
  Eligible types of organisations include:

• Public institutions and coastal authorities

• NGOs working on marine conservation

• Local community associations

• Research institutions collaborating with management bodies

• Private-sector entities involved in marine protection
  Priority is given to:

• Existing MPAs or zones undergoing official designation

• Sites proposing the future HPA as a core conservation zone

• Projects demonstrating strong community integration

What Activities Can Be Funded?

Examples of eligible activities include:

• Ecological and socio-economic assessments

• Community consultations and participatory planning

• Preliminary management or zoning plans

• Mapping, baseline studies, and site-level diagnostics

• Awareness and engagement initiatives

• Actions that directly improve local conservation capacity
  Organisations are encouraged to propose site-specific actions tailored to their unique ecological and social contexts.

How to Apply

Steps to Submit an Expression of Interest

1. Prepare an overview of the MPA or proposed HPA area, including ecological characteristics and socio-economic context.

2. Define the need for support and describe how the activities will advance protection goals.

3. Outline proposed actions, expected outcomes, and community engagement strategies.

4. Describe the organisation and any partners involved in management or conservation.

5. Submit the expression of interest according to the guidelines provided by Together for the Med.

Key Requirements

• Activities must clearly contribute to strengthening protection, improving management, or advancing an area toward HPA status.

• Proposals must demonstrate community integration and stakeholder relevance.

• All actions must align with regional marine conservation strategies.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Proposing activities that lack community engagement or ignore socio-economic considerations

• Focusing solely on research without clear management implications

• Choosing broad actions not tied to specific conservation outcomes

• Submitting proposals unrelated to MPA strengthening or HPA advancement

• Underestimating the importance of local context and site-specific needs

FAQs

1. What is the maximum funding available?

Selected applicants can receive up to €5,000 in small grants, along with technical assistance.

2. Can an organisation receive only technical assistance?

Yes. Some applicants will receive expert support without financial funding, depending on proposal strength and regulatory conditions.

3. Are private companies eligible?

Yes, if they work in marine conservation or support MPA management.

4. Do applicants need to be located within an existing MPA?

Preference is given to existing MPAs or areas undergoing formal designation, especially if the proposed HPA represents a core zone.

5. What is the duration of support?

Support will run for six months, from March to September 2026.

6. Are proposals from outside the Mediterranean region eligible?

No. Applicants must be based in Mediterranean coastal countries.

7. Can organisations propose activities not listed in the guidelines?

Yes. The programme encourages tailored, site-specific actions that address unique ecological or social challenges.

Conclusion

The Together for the Med call for expressions of interest is a strategic opportunity to strengthen Mediterranean marine conservation through community engagement, early-stage planning, and targeted capacity-building. By supporting the transition of MPAs toward Highly Protected Areas, the initiative contributes to a more resilient and equitable network of marine protection across the region.

For more information, visit Together for the Med.