Commonwealth member countries get a chance for new grants to address ocean challenges 

The new initiative includes modest grants of between £5,000 and £50,000 that are intended to support a variety of activities that support the development of ocean policies and projects, such as training, capacity-building, knowledge exchanges, and quick assessments of climate risk or vulnerability, ideally done in partnership with a non-governmental partner.

Speaking at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt, Patricia Scotland, Commonwealth secretary-general, said with 49 out of 56 member countries bordering the ocean, including 25 small island developing states, the Commonwealth accounts for more than one third of the ocean under national jurisdiction.

“The Commonwealth Blue Charter Project Incubator is a critical step forward in supporting these countries in the delivery of their ocean commitments, including those under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 as well as their Nationally Determined Contributions,” Scotland said.

She urged member states to leverage the call for applications and submit strong proposals that assist the growth of sustainable blue economies while addressing climate change.

Nicholas Hardman-Mountford, head of oceans and natural resources at the Commonwealth Secretariat, said the initiative provides a vehicle for all Commonwealth governments to pilot innovative projects that address their most urgent national priorities for ocean sustainability and resilience and learn from each other’s experiences as well as build capacity for implementation.

“With ocean action and marine conservation (SDG14) being the least funded among all the Sustainable Development Goals, this is an important contribution that recognises the role of our ocean as the world’s largest carbon sink and a home to the majority of Earth’s living species,” he said.

The Commonwealth Blue Charter is an agreement by all 56 Commonwealth nations to work actively together to address some of the world’s most pressing ocean challenges. It is implemented through 10 country-led action groups focusing on key thematic areas: coral reef restoration, mangrove ecosystems and livelihoods, marine plastic pollution, marine protected areas, ocean acidification, ocean climate action, ocean observation, sustainable aquaculture, sustainable blue economy and sustainable coastal fisheries.

Jeff Ardron, who heads the programme at the Commonwealth Secretariat, described it as a ‘one-stop shop’ for countries and their partners working on ocean issues.

Ardron said the programme “supports the full lifecycle of project development, from new ideas through to proven approaches, and everything in between”.

A key requirement for countries wishing to apply is that they must be a member of at least one of the 10 Commonwealth Blue Charter Action Groups or indicate their commitment to join.

Supported by an initial contribution from the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation, the Commonwealth Blue Charter Project Incubator also receives additional support from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Vibrant Oceans Initiative.