Deadline: 18-Oct-2024
The Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future has officially launched the 3rd Call for Proposals in their Grants Award Program (GAP) to fund innovative projects that contribute to the sustainable future of Belize. If you have a project aligned with their mission, apply for a grant and make a positive impact on Belize’s coastal and marine resources!
Foundation Vision
- Financing in perpetuity for a vibrant and resilient blue economy in Belize.
Foundation Mission
- To create a transparent and inclusive financing mechanism that is successfully mobilizing investments for the conservation and responsible development of Belize’s marine and coastal resources.
Foundation Goal
- The sustainable development of Belize’s coastal and marine resources.
Objectives of the Belize Fund
- The primary objectives of the Belize Fund are:
- To provide grant funding and other forms of support for conservation and sustainable use of ocean resources in Belize.
- To support the achievement of Belize’s conservation commitment under the Blue Loan Agreement (Blue Bond).
- To contribute to the stewardship of a sustainable future for the people and environment of Belize.
- To ensure fiduciary responsibility and integrity in the administration of the Belize Fund’s finances.
Thematic Areas
- The four Thematic Areas are as follows:
- Thematic Area One: Protection for Biodiversity
- Aims to achieve effective protection for marine biodiversity focused on strategies and interventions that ensure full protection and prevents depletion or loss of biodiversity. Such protection includes the marine protected areas, especially no-take zones, and the effective management of these. It also includes protection for species of conservation concern and ecosystems crucial for maintaining the health of ocean ecosystems.
- Thematic Area Two: Sustainable Fisheries
- Aims to support fisheries management programs and initiatives that promote sustainable fishing and help rebuild depleted stocks. The focus is on ensuring fisheries are sustainable from harvesting through to the consumer’s plate, and that they safeguard the fishing communities by building capacity and leadership. It also considers new fisheries that will be sustainably developed and value-added chains that increase the sustainability of fisheries products.
- Thematic Area Three: Climate Resilience
- Aims to build and strengthen the resilience of the ocean ecosystems to ensure greater ability to adapt to and survive the impacts of climate change on the coastal and marine resources. This includes building the resilience of communities and their livelihoods by providing secure and green jobs, resilient value chains, safety and protection, and economic security to combat climate change. It also includes improving the first line of defense by building the resilience of the natural environment so that it continues to provide goods and services and maintain critical functions, that support coastal livelihoods and the national economy.
- Thematic Area Four: Blue Business Innovation
- Aims to incubate and support the growth of the Blue Economy in Belize through innovative and sustainable Blue Businesses. Belize depends heavily on its ocean ecosystems for livelihoods and there is a crucial need to invest in fisheries, aquaculture, coastal tourism, renewable energy and maritime transport so that these are developed sustainably and help to boost the country’s economy, while ensuring the ocean resources remain healthy.
- Thematic Area One: Protection for Biodiversity
Award Categories
- Applicants may apply for funding under any of the following award categories:
- Small Grant
- Awards up to BZD $50,000 not exceeding 1 year (no co-financing required)
- Medium Grant
- Awards between BZD $50,000 and $150,000 not exceeding 2 years (10% co-finance required)
- Large Grant
- Awards over BZD$150,000 and up to $800,000 for 2-3 years (25% co-finance required)
- Small Grant
New Funding Opportunity: Community Grant
- This new Community Grant seeks to foster greater inclusivity and ensure all users and stakeholders can access resources. They also prioritize and support community-based organizations, recognizing their unique and vital role in supporting and maintaining Belize’s coastal and marine resources.
- Community Grants will prioritize, but not limited to, projects that:
- Reduce marine litter, plastic waste, or nutrient pollution.
- Promote good stewardship of coastal and marine resources.
- Promote sustainable blue business opportunities.
- Protect fragile ecosystems and restoration of degraded habitats.
- Build community capacity for the management of coastal and marine resources.
- Support sustainable fisheries practices and reduce the use of harmful gear.
- Promote eco-tourism and reef-friendly tourism.
- Targeted Entities
- Community – based organizations
- Micro and Small Enterprises
- Associations
- Cooperatives
- Youth Groups
- Women’s Groups
- Indigenous Groups
- Grassroot Organizations
- Community Grant Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible entities can apply for grants provided that they:
- are a registered entity in Belize (even if less than a year);
- located in a coastal community or area;
- active in Belize (must be able to demonstrate activity for at least a year, has a functional governing or executive body conducting meetings regularly)
- Eligible entities can apply for grants provided that they:
Who can Apply?
- Non-government
- The following organizational categories are eligible to apply under the GAP, provided that they (1) are a registered non-governmental organization; (2) have existed and is operational in Belize for a minimum of one year prior to submission of the application and (3) can demonstrate successful project and financial management:
- Universities, colleges and high schools;
- NGOs;
- Private corporations or other companies;
- Local community associations and other community bodies; and
- Other appropriate local entities working toward the Vision, Mission, and Goals of the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future (Belize Fund).
- Entities that meet requirement (i), but have not existed and operated in Belize for a minimum of one (1) year nor have strong project management and fiduciary management experience will be required to submit an application through an intermediary.
- An intermediary entity is an NGO or Non-profit organization that provides the full administrative infrastructure for grant implementation, including financial management, grant execution, human resources, compliance oversight, and expert guidance to recently established and less experienced NGOs who lack project implementation capacity. Intermediaries must meet the eligibility criteria for non-government entities above.
- The following organizational categories are eligible to apply under the GAP, provided that they (1) are a registered non-governmental organization; (2) have existed and is operational in Belize for a minimum of one year prior to submission of the application and (3) can demonstrate successful project and financial management:
- Government
- Public sector agencies of the Government are eligible to apply to the GAP provided that:
- Funding is for an activity not covered by the GSA; or
- Application is as a junior co-applicant in an application with a non-government entity.
- Belize Fund may decide to restrict the participation of any of the above categories of persons or organizations in any given GAP year.
- Public sector agencies of the Government are eligible to apply to the GAP provided that:
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible entities can apply for grants provided that they:
- are a registered entity in Belize;
- have existed and been operational in Belize for a minimum of one (1) year prior to submission of the application; and
- can demonstrate successful project and financial management.
For more information, visit Belize Fund.