Call for Projects: Sustainable and Resilient Coastal Ecosystems and a Social and Fair Blue Economy

Objectives 

• To support innovative local initiatives aimed at strengthening the resilience of coastal territories, ecosystems, and communities in West Africa.

Thematic Areas

• Consolidating the network of sites for the conservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems: Through this first theme, the RESILAO project will seek to increase the density of the conservation network of natural coastal sites of significant ecological importance, as well as improving the management effectiveness of the MPAs already in place.
• Development of value chains based on coastal ecosystem services for the emergence of a sustainable, social and fair blue economy: Most of West Africa’s population lives in coastal areas, where dependence on local natural resources remains very high, not only in rural areas but also in towns and secondary cities. In many cases, in the absence of sufficient alternatives, poverty leads to the unsustainable exploitation of resources, such as the fishing of juveniles or deforestation, and contributes to the degradation of natural capital.
• Promoting innovative solutions to strengthen the resilience of coastal areas: In West Africa, coastal areas have been subject to significant artificial development and increasing urbanisation over the last thirty years. The concentration of populations on the coast, and the intensification and diversification of activities, have made the maritime periphery the main area of economic and social development.

Eligible Countries

• Mauritania, Senegal, Cabo Verde, Guinea.

Eligibility Criteria

• To qualify for funding under the RESILAO project, applicants must be able to prove that they meet the following criteria, which are designed to encourage the development of already committed and credible actors in the field relevant to their proposal, as well as compliance with the tax and social security obligations in force in the beneficiary countries:
  • Have legal status recognised by the authorities;
  • Have a bank account in the name of the beneficiary entity, enabling it to receive grants;
  • For businesses, provide proof of non-bankruptcy. and documents proving that tax and social security obligations are up to date;
  • Where possible, provide proof of backing from a public authority or protected area managers, particularly for projects implemented in protected areas ((optional).
  • Be able to demonstrate experience in the field of the project submitted and have a recognised local presence;
  • Be able to demonstrate experience in project management;
  • Be able to demonstrate skills in the chosen subject area.
• The main actors called upon to submit proposals are:
  • MSEs, cooperatives, social enterprises and small businesses directly involved in the sustainable use of natural resources or waste recycling, as well as small-scale tourism operators promoting nature tourism and helping to promote nature conservation initiatives.
  • Community and socio-professional organisations for local socio-economic development, small businesses and social enterprises dedicated to supporting small producers, economic interest groups, cooperatives, producer groups, local MPA management committees, grassroots community organisations, etc.
  • NGOs and national environmental and coastal protection associations, research centres.
  • local media, tourism operators and local authorities.

For more information, visit PRCM.