Call for 30×30 Southeast Asia Ocean Fund

Deadline: 31-Dec-2026

The 30×30 Southeast Asia Ocean Fund provides grants to support inclusive, equitable, and effective marine conservation initiatives in Southeast Asia. The Fund supports projects that help advance the goal of protecting 30% of Southeast Asia’s seas by 2030, while ensuring that conservation benefits both people and nature. The programme places strong emphasis on local communities, in-region leadership, and capacity building. It supports a wide range of marine conservation activities, from in situ conservation and ecosystem monitoring to policy development, sustainable livelihoods, technology, and innovative financing.

About the 30×30 Southeast Asia Ocean Fund

The Fund is a collaborative initiative focused on strengthening marine conservation across Southeast Asia. Its overarching goal is to contribute to the protection of 30% of Southeast Asia’s seas by 2030. The Fund seeks to promote conservation approaches that are: - Inclusive. - Equitable. - Effective. - Community-engaged. - Locally led. - Beneficial to both people and nature. A key feature of the programme is its focus on ensuring that local communities are meaningfully involved in marine conservation efforts. Who Is the Fund Designed to Support? The Fund is intended for organizations implementing marine conservation initiatives in Southeast Asia.

Particular priority is given to projects that are

- Led by local communities. - Engaging local communities. - Meaningfully considering local community needs and perspectives. - Led by organizations with strong in-region capacity. - Designed to build local conservation leadership and expertise. The emphasis on local leadership reflects the Fund’s focus on making marine conservation more inclusive and sustainable. Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs). - International NGOs with in-country offices. - Research institutions. - Civil society organizations. Where feasible, local partners are encouraged to apply directly rather than relying on international organizations to serve as the primary applicant. Who Is Not Eligible? The following are not eligible to apply: - Individuals. - Social enterprises. - Private enterprises. - Government bodies. - Religious organizations. Applicants should therefore ensure that their organizational structure falls within one of the eligible categories before developing a proposal. Marine Conservation Activities Supported The Fund supports a broad range of activities contributing to effective marine conservation.

Eligible activities may include:

- In situ conservation. - Marine ecosystem monitoring. - Conservation management. - Enforcement. - Policy development. - Conservation planning. - Capacity building. - Outreach. - Environmental education. - Sustainable financing mechanisms. - Innovative financing. - Conservation-aligned livelihoods. - Multi-stakeholder collaboration. - Technology and innovation. The broad scope allows organizations to address marine conservation challenges through ecological, social, institutional, financial, and technological approaches. In Situ Conservation Projects can support in situ conservation, meaning conservation efforts undertaken directly within marine ecosystems and their natural environments. Such initiatives can contribute to protecting marine habitats, species, and ecosystems while supporting longer-term conservation objectives. Monitoring, Management and Enforcement The Fund can support activities related to: - Marine monitoring. - Conservation management. - Enforcement. These activities are important for ensuring that marine conservation measures are effectively implemented and that protected or conserved areas receive appropriate oversight. Policy and Planning Marine conservation often requires strong policy frameworks and effective planning. The Fund supports policy and planning activities that can strengthen conservation approaches and contribute to more effective management of Southeast Asia’s marine resources. Projects can therefore combine field-based conservation with institutional and policy-level interventions. Capacity Building Capacity building is another important area supported by the Fund. Projects can strengthen the skills, knowledge, systems, and leadership capacity needed for effective marine conservation. The Fund’s emphasis on in-region leadership makes local capacity development particularly relevant. Outreach and Education Conservation efforts can also include outreach and education activities. These initiatives can help communities and other stakeholders better understand marine ecosystems, conservation priorities, and sustainable approaches to ocean resource use. Sustainable and Innovative Financing The Fund recognizes the importance of developing sustainable financial mechanisms for marine conservation.

Eligible projects may therefore explore:

- Sustainable financing. - Innovative financing approaches. - Financial mechanisms that support long-term conservation. These approaches can help reduce dependence on short-term funding and strengthen the sustainability of conservation initiatives. Conservation-Aligned Livelihoods Projects may support livelihoods that are compatible with marine conservation objectives. Conservation-aligned livelihood activities can help create benefits for communities while reducing pressures on marine ecosystems. This approach reflects the Fund’s focus on achieving positive outcomes for both people and nature. Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration The Fund supports multi-stakeholder collaboration as part of effective marine conservation. Projects may bring together different stakeholders to coordinate conservation activities, share knowledge, strengthen management, and develop collaborative solutions. Meaningful participation by local communities is particularly important within this approach. Technology and Innovation Technology and innovation are also eligible areas. Projects can incorporate technological or innovati