Mesoamerican Reef Fund announces Reef Rescue Initiative

Deadline: 06-Oct-20

The Government of Germany through KfW, the Mesoamerican Reef Fund (MAR Fund) and the Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD) are pleased to announce the fourth request for proposals of the Reef Rescue Initiative to support and strengthening science-based restoration, repopulation and rehabilitation of coral reefs in the MAR region.

Objectives

Support activities and actions to strengthen the resilience of NGOs, protected areas and coastal communities that work on coral reef restoration;
Promote and contribute new techniques for restoration, repopulation and rehabilitation of coral reefs in the MAR region;
Promote strategies to prevent and address the coral disease known as Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) and contribute to its prevention and treatment.

Funding Information

The maximum grant amount is $25,000, based on project needs and absorptive capacity of the implementing institution.
For this RfP, at least 25% of the total budget must come from other sources, as a match to the requested funds. The maximum amount allowed for administration expenses cannot exceed 10% of the total amount requested. Administration expenses refer exclusively to the fixed operating costs of the organization.
On this occasion, projects may last for a period of up to 24 months if they address resilience initiatives.
Projects on all other topics must be for a 12-month period.

Eligibility Criteria

The following are considered eligible applicants for this request for proposals:
- Community-based organizations, including fisher groups
- Governmental institutions
- Non-governmental organizations
- Academia and Individuals (both must have administrative support from an NGO, who shall be responsible for the grant)
Potential grantee organizations must be:
- Legally recognized or registered in their country;
- In compliance and good standing with any or all requirements for operation as a legal local entity;
- Guided by an operational Board of Directors;
- Have a sound financial management system and structure in place (annual audits etc.);
- Have a good history as a grantee (i.e. effective grant/project implementation); and
- Credible in the field of marine resources management.
Organizations must have their headquarters established in any one of the four countries of the MAR region to be eligible.
Community participation can be supported directly, or through an NGO, as long as there is an agreement between the two that demonstrates the community is an active participant in the project.
To maximize available resources, proposals involving duplication of funds/efforts funded by other MAR Fund initiatives or programs will not be considered.

Criteria

The following criteria will be applied in the revision and selection of proposals. Some projects may not comply with all of the conditions; however, they will be an important element to consider in the final selection. Projects should:

Demonstrate measurable results on progress of at least one of the stated RfP objectives;
Coordinate their implementation across multiple stakeholders;
Have transferable outcomes to sites with potential for reef restoration;
Align with management plans and with the institutional priorities in the case of protected areas;
Align with national, regional or global strategies or policies;
Implement actions or activities included in regional plans;
Have activities that are closely aligned with the applicant organization’s mission and/or are otherwise sustainable beyond the project period;
Build on current work in the area or successful model projects in the region;
Create a new source of funding for reef restoration in the region;
Demonstrate community participation in the proposed activities;
Contribute to the strengthening of local capacities; and
Promote collective and/or community resilience