Blue Pangolin Consulting was commissioned by the Blue Action Fund to undertake a strategic scoping study assessing the potential for a targeted Call for Proposals (CFP) to support marine conservation in the Western and Southern Caribbean. The study aimed to identify where investment could most effectively improve the management effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas, enhance biodiversity outcomes, and contribute to coastal community resilience.
Spanning 19 countries and territories across the Caribbean Sea and North Brazil Shelf, the Blue Pangolin team conducted in-depth desk research and stakeholder consultations with international NGOs, funders, and technical experts. The study identified political, ecological, and institutional opportunities for scaling conservation action, including a shortlist of 130 MPAs (existing and proposed) and corresponding potential grantees capable of absorbing large-scale funding.
The project emphasised the need to shift from expanding MPA coverage toward improving effectiveness, particularly by addressing sustainable financing gaps, strengthening governance and planning, and supporting regional collaboration through mechanisms such as the Caribbean Challenge Initiative and the SPAW Protocol.
The study provided a robust evidence base and concrete recommendations for structuring one or more Calls for Proposals, tailored to sub-regions including the Insular Caribbean and the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR).
Main deliverables:
- The Blue Action Fund launched an Open Call for Proposals for the Wider Caribbean Sea in November 2022
- Comprehensive desk study highlighting biodiversity hotspots, policy frameworks, funding gaps, and MPA management challenges
- Country-level political and institutional analysis with regional index
- Mapping of MPAs (existing and proposed) suitable for Blue Action Fund investment
- List of recommended grantees and implementing partners across the region
- Identification of synergies with major ongoing initiatives (e.g. GFCR, PROCARIBE+, MAR+Invest)
- Recommendations for structuring future Blue Action Fund Calls for Proposals, including strategic geographic focus and thematic priorities
