Deadline: 30-Jun-2024
The Ocean Foundation is currently accepting applications for the Regenerative Tourism Catalyst Grant Program.
The Ocean Foundation’s 501(c)(3) mission is to support, strengthen, and promote those organizations dedicated to reversing the trend of destruction of ocean environments around the world. They focus their collective expertise on emerging threats to generate cutting-edge solutions and better strategies for implementation.
Program Tracks (Thematic Areas)
- Sustainable and Regenerative Tourism: introduce and promote the concept of sustainable and regenerative tourism by planning for tourism that not only reduces its negative impact but purposely aims to improve the communities in which tourism takes place. This track could include engagement with industry stakeholders.
- Regenerative Tourism and Food Systems (Permaculture): support activities that promote regenerative food systems that also support tourism activities including connections to cultural aspects. Examples could also include improving food security, promoting cultural food practices, developing permaculture projects, and designing food waste reduction practices.
- Regenerative Tourism and Seafood: activities that support seafood production, capture, and traceability through regenerative tourism activities associated with recreational and commercial fisheries or aquaculture operations
- Sustainable Regenerative Tourism and Nature-based climate solutions including Blue Carbon: activities that support the IUCN Nature Based Solutions Global Standards including improving ecosystem integrity and biodiversity, enhancing conservation, or supporting blue carbon ecosystem management/conservation.
- Regenerative Tourism and Culture/Heritage: activities incorporating and using knowledge systems of Indigenous people and aligning tourism approaches with existing cultural/traditional views of guardianship and protection of places.
- Sustainable and Regenerative Tourism and Engaging Youth, Women, and/or Other Underrepresented Groups: activities that support empowering groups to actively plan, promote, or implement regenerative tourism concepts.
Funding Information
- The Regenerative Tourism Catalyst Grant Program will award approximately 10-15 grants for projects up to 12 months in length. Award Range: USD $5,000 – $15,000
Eligible Activities
- Needs assessment and gap analysis (include aspect on implementation)
- Stakeholder engagement including community engagement
- Capacity building including trainings and workshops
- Voluntourism Project Design and Implementation
- Tourism Impact Assessment and planning to reduce impact
- Implementing regenerative/sustainability components for hospitality or guest services
Ineligible Expenses or Activities
- Construction
- Conference/event travel
- Equipment/vehicle purchase
- Alcohol
Eligible Countries
- To be considered for this award, applying institutions must be based in one of the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cabo Verde, Comoros, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Grenada, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Kiribati, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Sao Tome e Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Timor Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu. Organizations and project work may only be based in and benefit the islands listed.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible entities include:
- Local government agencies
- Civil society organizations
- Non-governmental organizations
- Research institutions and universities
- Community groups
- For-profit organizations
- Individuals are welcome to apply
- All entities will be vetted according to the Patriot Act requirements.
For more information, visit The Ocean Foundation.