Competitive Grants for Marine Protected Area (MPA) Management

ReCoMaP Result Area 1

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are one of the key management approaches for the conservation of coastal biodiversity, and the natural resources that are so important to coastal livelihoods.

 

In the WIO the number of national MPAs, as well as local, community-based management areas, continues to expand and their effectiveness continues to improve.

 

ReCoMaP’s original design identified MPAs as a key component of the strategy towards improved management of coastal resources. This design included explicit linkages between ReCoMaP and another IOC-managed programme, the Regional Marine Protected Areas project (IOC/FFEM/WWF). A substantial component of the ReCoMaP budget was ear-marked solely for MPA support.

 

ReCoMap's principle contribution to MPA Management will be through a competitive Call for Proposals (CFP), which was launched on the 15th of November, 2008 with an allocation of €750, 000. The target beneficiaries of the MPA CFP, unlike our non-state actors equivalent (NSA CFP),  are nationally gazetted MPAs, managed by national MPA agencies. Local and international NGOs that collaborate with the national MPA Agencies in the implementation of activities are also eligible to apply.

 

ReCoMaP received 24 applications to the MPA CFP. A rigourous and transparent review process was undertaken following EU guidelines and regulations, after which 10 applicants were chosen  to receive awards. These 10 organisations represent all our partner countries and both government and NGO organisations. They will benefit from individual project awards of between €25,000 and €75,000, which are valid for a maxmimum of 2 years.