It aims to tackle environmental challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss while supporting local economies through technical assistance, grant funding, and attracting private finance. BC+ focuses on creating scalable, regenerative business models that integrate conservation and production goals, ensuring long-term ecological and economic benefit.

Benefits

• Grant funding that can help accelerate model development and growth.
• Networking opportunities with investors and partners dedicated to blue carbon innovations.
• Expert technical support and mentorship tailored to blue carbon solutions.
• Recognition as a leader in driving impactful change for coastal ecosystems and communities.

Funding Information

• Up to $1.25 million USD in total funding and technical assistance is available this year to tackle these bottlenecks, with potential for additional support in the future.

Eligibility Criteria

• They are inviting applications that meet the following criteria:
• This call is open to organizations (local businesses, NGOs, community enterprises/cooperatives, and others) working to overcome the systemic bottlenecks. Preference will be given to proposals led by organizations operating inclose proximity to the project site, ensuring deeper contextual understanding and sustainable impact.
• Geographical Focus: Preference for this call for applications is applicants from countries that have significant mangrove cover and enabling conditions – Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Belize, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji.
• Demonstrated Impact: Applicants must show how their solution contributes to tangible environmental, social, and/or economic outcomes for blue carbon ecosystems. These may include improve carbon sequestration, enhanced biodiversity, market differentiation, or increased and more equitable income generation for local communities.
• Community Engagement: Your solution should preferably center Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP&LCs), and demonstrate fair, inclusive benefit-sharing. Proposals that strengthen local ownership, decision-making, and capacity-building are strongly encouraged.
• Financial Sustainability & Scalability: You should present a clear path toward financial sustainability, with realistic plans to scale operations over time. Proposals should articulate how addressing systemic bottlenecks will unlock business growth and long-term impact.
• Learning & Impact Mindset: You have a strong desire to learn and collaborate with other BC+ partners, including those operating in similar sectors. You are eager to engage with the BC+ team and other partners to continuously learn, share experiences, and make a meaningful impact.

Evaluation Criteria

• Capacity: Does the organization demonstrate strong technical capacity, contextual understanding, and relevant experience to address critical barriers in mangrove-compatible value chains?
• Stakeholder Engagement Strategy: Has the organization already engaged relevant stakeholders (e.g., producers, government, research institutes, buyers, financiers), or do they have a credible plan to do so in order to address ecosystem-wide bottlenecks?
• Alignment: Is the business model generally aligned with the BC+ theory of change?
• Geographic Priority: Does the work take place in or benefit priority geographies: Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Belize, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji?
• Community Benefit: Is there a clear, feasible plan to create meaningful and measurable benefits for local communities, including income generation, job creation, or capacity building?
• Climate Benefit: Does the proposed approach strengthens mangrove conservation or restoration, enhance ecosystem resilience, and/or contribute to measurable carbon or biodiversity outcomes?
• Market Adoption: Does the solution show strong potential for adoption and scalability in the target market and broader sector, especially in addressing known constraints in value chains?

For more information, visit The Nature Conservancy.