The 30×30 Southeast Asia Ocean Fund was launched during the 16th UN Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Colombia.
In a decisive step towards protecting marine ecosystems, the 30×30 Southeast Asia Ocean Fund was launched during the 16th UN Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Colombia. Spearheaded by Rumah Foundation, Oceankind, and the Asia Community Foundation, this fund represents a collaborative effort to conserve one of the most biodiverse marine regions in the world. With an urgent call for action, the initiative aims to contribute significantly to the global Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework’s ambitious goal: protecting at least 30% of the world’s land, freshwater, and ocean areas by 2030.
Ocean philanthropy stands at a pivotal crossroads, urgently calling for funders to unite in addressing the critical challenges facing marine ecosystems.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
The Urgency of the 30×30 Goal
As governments gathered in Colombia to assess their progress toward the 30×30 target, the reality became clear: much remains to be done. In Southeast Asia, the urgency is particularly pronounced. Of the region’s 11 countries, only four have joined the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, an intergovernmental coalition pushing for global conservation efforts. With less than 3% of Southeast Asia’s national waters currently protected, the newly launched fund aims to bridge this gap by focusing on the creation, expansion, and effective management of marine protected and conserved areas.
The 30×30 Southeast Asia Ocean Fund is not just about numbers; it’s about people and ecosystems. Kathlyn Tan, Director of Rumah Foundation, emphasized, “Ocean philanthropy stands at a pivotal crossroads, urgently calling for funders to unite in addressing the critical challenges facing marine ecosystems.” The initiative aims to safeguard the region’s remarkable biodiversity, which includes roughly a third of the world’s coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves. Beyond environmental conservation, the fund seeks to secure the livelihoods of millions who depend on these ecosystems and contribute to climate change adaptation.
Expanding Beyond Traditional Marine Protected Areas
This innovative fund is set to go beyond traditional Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). It also targets the protection and effective management of Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), Indigenous and Traditional Territories (ITTs), and Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs). The goal is to create inclusive and equitable marine protection that prioritizes the needs and knowledge of frontline communities, particularly those vulnerable to climate change, natural disasters, and environmental injustice.
Mariko Powers, Program Officer at Oceankind, underscored the importance of local engagement: “Southeast Asia is a critically important region to advance equitable and effective ocean conservation. We believe that investing in local capacity to drive ocean protection is key to achieving 30×30.”
The 30×30 Southeast Asia Ocean Fund prioritizes funding for domestic civil society organizations, local community groups, and in-country offices of international NGOs that employ a community-led approach. The fund will support a variety of strategic activities aimed at achieving its key objectives, such as capacity building, policy and planning, outreach and education, and livelihood-focused interventions. By addressing these multi-faceted areas, the initiative hopes to foster multi-stakeholder collaboration and leverage sustainable and innovative financing for long-term conservation success.
Southeast Asia is a critically important region to advance equitable and effective ocean conservation. We believe that investing in local capacity to drive ocean protection is key to achieving 30x30
Funding Opportunities and How to Apply
Grants from the fund are expected to range from USD 20,000 to USD 500,000, supporting multi-year projects. Interested organizations that work towards accelerating ocean conservation in line with the 30×30 target in Southeast Asia are invited to submit an Expression of Interest to [email protected] on a rolling basis. While English is the preferred language for applications, the fund encourages submissions in local languages to ensure inclusivity.
For more information on how to participate or apply for funding, please visit 30x30fund.org.
