he Blue Action Fund has announced a new funding opportunity for NGOs working on mangrove ecosystems, blue carbon markets and the 30×30 conservation target in Asia.
The 2026 call is open to eligible NGOs implementing projects in India, Indonesia, the Philippines or Vietnam. The funding window aims to combine area-based conservation with mangrove protection and restoration, sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities and the development of high-integrity blue carbon initiatives.
Blue Action Fund is offering a contribution of €2 million to €4 million per project, with a total funding envelope of up to €17 million for the call. The application deadline is 16 October 2026.
The four eligible countries are India, Indonesia, the Philippines or Vietnam
However, this is a highly specialised funding opportunity. It is intended for NGOs with proven experience in mangrove conservation or restoration, blue carbon project development and sustainable livelihoods. Organisations with only an initial project idea and no feasibility or preparatory work are not eligible under this call.
Funding Details
Particular Details
Funder Blue Action Fund
Opportunity Mangroves, Blue Carbon Markets and 30×30 in Asia
Eligible Countries India, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam
Grant Amount €2 million–€4 million per project
Total Funding Envelope Up to €17 million
Project Duration Up to 5 years
Application Deadline 16 October 2026
Applicant Type Charitable NGOs / NGO consortia
Application Process Two-stage
Match Funding Minimum 25% of total project costs
What Will the Grant Support?
Projects should have an integrated focus on:
Establishment or improved management of protected areas (PAs) and/or other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs)
Mangrove conservation and restoration
Sustainable use of mangrove ecosystems
Biodiversity conservation
Climate change mitigation and adaptation
Sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities
High-integrity blue carbon initiatives
Development of pathways toward carbon crediting
The call specifically seeks projects that can connect long-term conservation with credible blue carbon development and benefits for coastal communities.
Minimum Mangrove Scale
Proposed interventions should focus on mangrove restoration and/or conservation covering a minimum of 1,000 hectares.
Applicants should demonstrate that the scale of the intervention provides a credible basis for financially viable blue carbon project development.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants are:
Charitable non-government organisations (NGOs)
Consortia of NGOs
Applicants must have proven experience in relevant areas including:
Mangrove conservation
Mangrove restoration
Blue carbon project development
Sustainable livelihoods
Environmental and social management
Stakeholder engagement
NGO consortia must also have access to technical expertise required for blue carbon development, including:
Carbon accounting
Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV)
Methodology application
Financial feasibility assessment
Project Design Document (PDD) preparation
Match Funding Requirement
Applicants must provide match funding of at least 25% of total project costs.
A higher level of match funding is desirable and may be considered during the appraisal process.
This means that this opportunity is not suitable for organisations looking for 100% grant financing.
Previous Project Preparation Required
Projects must build on existing preparatory work and demonstrate sufficient technical and institutional readiness.
Applicants should have documented feasibility or pre-feasibility assessments covering relevant issues such as:
Project geography
Land and tenure arrangements
Stakeholder mapping
Regulatory requirements
Financial viability
Carbon stock assessments
Additionality
Technical feasibility
Projects that are still only at the initial conceptual or scoping stage are not eligible.
National Government Endorsement
All projects must be endorsed by the appropriate national authority or authorised body in the country where the project will be implemented.
Indian applicants should therefore consider the relevant Indian regulatory and institutional requirements well before submitting an application.
Blue Carbon and Carbon Credits
The call is designed to support high-integrity blue carbon project development.
Applicants should demonstrate:
A credible route to the carbon market
Potential buyer landscape
Appropriate carbon accounting
Compliance with applicable regulations
Transparent carbon claims
No double claiming
A credible pathway towards long-term financial sustainability
The programme expects projects to work toward high-quality carbon crediting standards and, where appropriate, national authorisation under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
Application Process
Blue Action Fund uses a two-stage application process.
Stage 1 — Grant Application
Applicants submit an initial competitive grant application.
Stage 2 — Full Proposal Development
Selected applicants are invited to develop a full proposal with Blue Action Fund.
This stage may include:
Technical revision
Detailed budget development
Results framework/logframe
Environmental and social safeguards
Risk assessment
Further project refinement
A preparatory grant supports this second stage.
Applications must be submitted by 16 October 2026.
Applicants should not wait until the final days because this opportunity requires substantial technical preparation and supporting documentation.
How to Apply
Applicants must complete the official Blue Action Fund Grant Application template and submit it electronically in Word or PDF format, under 5 MB, to:
grants@blueactionfund.org
The email subject line should be:
[Your Organisation] Grant Application
Official grant documents and application materials are available through the Blue Action Fund website.
Official Resources : For more and updated information about the grant please visit the official website link below
Blue Action Fund Official Website
Current Funding Opportunities
Official 2026 Call for Proposals
https://www.blueactionfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Call4Proposals_BlueCarbon2026.pdf
NGOPortal Resources
NGOPortal provides comprehensive information on International Grant Opportunities, CSR Funding India, CSR Companies in India, Funds for Indian NGOs, and Proposal Writing Resources.
Conclusion :The Blue Action Fund 2026 call represents a significant funding opportunity for experienced NGOs working on mangrove conservation, coastal biodiversity, blue carbon and sustainable livelihoods.
With grants of €2 million to €4 million per project and India explicitly included among the eligible countries, the opportunity may be particularly relevant to established Indian environmental NGOs and NGO consortia.
However, organisations should carefully assess the requirements for previous project preparation, a minimum 1,000-hectare intervention, 25% match funding, technical blue carbon expertise and national endorsement before applying.
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