In 2021, the United States established a groundbreaking multi-agency partnership aimed at empowering small island leadership in addressing the climate crisis and fostering sustainable development.
This initiative, aligned with the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE) and the US–Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis (PACC2030), brings together the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the US Department of State (DoS), and The Ocean Foundation (TOF) under the Local 2030 Islands Network.
The Local 2030 Islands Network is an island-led effort dedicated to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through locally driven, culturally informed solutions. This network prioritises four main principles: identifying local SDG goals, strengthening public-private partnerships, tracking SDG progress, and implementing initiatives that enhance the water-energy-food nexus. Two key Communities of Practice (COP) focused on Data for Climate Resilience and Sustainable and Regenerative Tourism promote peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
To support these efforts, The Ocean Foundation is excited to announce the launch of the Regenerative Tourism Catalyst Grant Programme. This programme is designed to fund 10–15 projects, each ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, aimed at promoting sustainable and regenerative tourism.
We invite applications from island communities for innovative projects in the following thematic areas:
- Sustainable and Regenerative Tourism: Projects that not only minimise the negative impacts of tourism but also aim to improve the host communities
- Regenerative Tourism and Food Systems (Permaculture): Initiatives that promote regenerative food systems support tourism activities, including permaculture projects and food waste reduction practices
- Regenerative Tourism and Seafood: Activities that support seafood production, capture, and traceability through sustainable tourism
- Sustainable Regenerative Tourism and Nature-Based Climate Solutions: Projects Enhancing Ecosystem Integrity and Biodiversity, Supporting Blue Carbon Ecosystem Management, and Conservation
- Regenerative Tourism and Culture/Heritage: Initiatives that incorporate Indigenous knowledge systems and align tourism with cultural and traditional guardianship
Application details:
Eligible applicants are encouraged to submit proposals that demonstrate innovative approaches to regenerative tourism aligned with local needs and aspirations. The grant period is up to 12 months, with projects expected to create lasting positive impacts on island communities.
For detailed eligibility criteria and application instructions, please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Export Development. Proposals must be submitted by 30 June 2024.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Export Development
