Proposal Pro Resources

Grant/Opportunity Synopsis Template

Opportunity Information
Grant/PNS Opportunity Open Call for Proposals Asia-Pacific Region
Name
Grant/PNS Opportunity
Number
Donor Blue Action Fund
Submission Deadline 8 September 2023
Required Project Blue Action’s overall goal is to reduce the dramatic loss of marine biodiversity and
Purpose/Objectives improve incomes of coastal fishing communities.
The thematic focus of projects should cover both:
1. Supporting ecologically representative and well-connected systems of Marine
Protected Areas (MPAs) through enhancing management of existing MPAs,
enlarging existing MPAs or establishing new MPAs; and
2. Supporting sustainable livelihoods in coastal communities dependent on
MPAs and their buffer zones.

For all of its grants, Blue Action expects that:

• There will be a marine conservation focus, but a substantial share of funding
will also be devoted to sustainable livelihoods activities.
• A substantial share of the funding will be used for capital expenditures,
equipment and direct payments.
Sector NGOs for conservation projects in developing countries that have the following
dual focus:
 Newly established, expanded or better managed marine protected areas
(MPAs) or networks of MPAs that result in biodiversity conservation, and
 Enhanced livelihood conditions and food security
This Call for Proposals is part of a continuing series of such Calls by Blue Action
providing individual grants to NGOs for conservation projects in developing
countries that have the following dual focus:
 Newly established or better managed MPAs or networks of MPAs which result
in conservation of biodiversity;
 Enhanced livelihood conditions and food security.
Geographic Focus Asia-Pacific Region
Partnership Blue Action encourages applications by consortia of NGOs that include local
Requirements implementing partners, such as environmental or social development NGOs. Blue
Action’s procedures require that all projects must receive the endorsement of the
appropriate authority/authorised body of the country in which the project is located.
EOI/Concept/Design CN is required
Submission Mode Concept Note to sent electronically to grants@blueactionfund.org
Submission in MS Word or PDF format [<5MB file size]
Requirements
Eligibility Criteria Blue Action is looking forward to receiving proposals for projects that:
 Are situated in one of the following countries (or in case of trans-boundary
MPAs in several of the countries): Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, India,
Indonesia, Maldives, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon
Islands, Sri Lanka, or Vietnam.
 Eligible applicants are NGOs with proven experience in coastal and marine
conservation and sustainable livelihood development in the area.
 NGOs must provide match funding of at least 25% of the total project costs.
 NGOs must have experience in implementing projects of similar size,
environmental and social management system capacity, and their reporting and
financial management systems must be compliant with internationally
recognised standards.
 Proposal Pro Resources
Grant/Opportunity Synopsis Template
• can prove successful management of public grants of similar size and have
sufficient implementing capacity to allow for professional and timely project
implementation;
• have experience in applying Environmental & Social Safeguards;
 have a sufficiently large annual budget (the budget of the NGO proponent
should be about twice the proposed annual project budget or more)1;
• have strong financial management and internal control systems. This includes
adequate provisions for planning and budgeting, internal control and
accounting, as well as funds, cash flow and assets management.
Total Funding Amount EUR 2 million to EUR 4 million
Life of Activity 5 years
Match/Leverage Applicant is willing to fund at least 25% of the total project costs (“match funding”)
requirements including funds from their own resources (“own contribution”)2 and co-financing.
Grantees and sub-grantees may include public funding 3 they receive for parts of
the proposed project as co-financing. However, this may not include any resources
from German public funders due to existing budget law.
Legal Requirements NGOs
Key Personnel none
Requirements
Number of Anticipated 5 or more (Blue Action expects to award grants from this Call with a total volume
Awards of around EUR 20 million.)
Prime or Sub-Grantee Sub-grantee

Donor Considerations
Is this a new Yes
donor?

Is negotiation with Yes

other SO’s required?
Information from pre-
positioning
Relevant Strategy and
Policy Documents
Current or Previous
Funding
NGO/Grantee: In response to Blue Action’s open call for proposals, NGOs can
submit applications for grants. Once a Grant Agreement is concluded, they take
on the responsibility for implementing their project within the overall grant
programme. As Blue Action’s grant programme implementation partner,
NGOs are responsible and accountable under their project for the proper delivery
of funds and/or services, the financial and administrative management, reporting
to Blue Action and monitoring at project level.
Blue Action is a foundation that supports the UN Convention on Biological
Diversity and furthers the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular
SDG 14. Blue Action is financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic
Cooperation and Development, the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the
Agence Française de Développement, the Norwegian Agency for Development
Cooperation and Irish Aid.
none

Prepared by Carlos O. Tulali, GAM, WVDF

Date: 14 March 2023

1 The financial requirement relates to the contracting party only, i.e. the consortium lead (grantee).
2 “Own contributions” include cash and in kind contributions such as direct financial co-funding, costs for staff seconded to the project,
provision of operational facilities such as office/vehicles, etc.
3 e.g. World Bank, European Commission, National Ministries