The 30×30 Southeast Asia Ocean Fund is a collaborative funding initiative focused on catalyzing progress toward the protection of 30% of Southeast Asia’s marine environments by 2030.
Singapore — In a significant stride toward protecting marine biodiversity, the 30×30 Southeast Asia Ocean Fund has surpassed its initial USD 5 million fundraising target just three months after launch and unveiled its first cohort of grantees. This early success signals a powerful shift from global pledges to actionable change in safeguarding Southeast Asia’s rich ocean ecosystems.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
The Fund, administered by the Asia Community Foundation and backed by 11 philanthropic organizations, fuels the growing momentum behind the global 30×30 Goal: protecting 30% of the world’s land, freshwater, and oceans by 2030, a critical commitment adopted under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at COP15.
From Commitment to Action: A New Era for Southeast Asia’s Oceans
Launched in January 2025, the 30×30 Southeast Asia Ocean Fund immediately attracted a strong wave of proposals from organizations across seven countries. The diversity and urgency of applications underscored a pressing need for funding community-led ocean conservation across a region where biodiversity, food security, and livelihoods are deeply interwoven.
After a rigorous review, three innovative projects were selected for their high-impact strategies and alignment with the Fund’s mission to create, expand, and strengthen Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), ensuring long-term ecosystem health and biodiversity protection.
First Grantees Leading the Charge
Manengkel Solidaritas (North Sulawesi, Indonesia): Strengthening MPAs through community surveillance groups, sustainable livelihood programs, and detailed management planning.
Sulubaai Environmental Foundation (Taytay, Palawan, Philippines): Expanding and creating MPAs to protect critical habitats, foster community engagement, and implement sustainable conservation practices.
Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (Bird’s Head Seascape, Indonesia): Empowering Indigenous women to lead sustainable marine management through customary practices, blending conservation with cultural preservation.
These organizations are not just protecting marine biodiversity—they are ensuring that conservation is community-driven, equitable, and resilient.
Regional Momentum: Local Solutions to a Global Crisis
Southeast Asia is home to some of the planet’s most biodiverse marine habitats, yet it faces rising threats from climate change, overfishing, and pollution. As Carol Liew, Managing Director of ECCA Family Foundation, emphasized, “Oceans know no boundaries — and they urgently need collective solutions.”
The funders’ collaborative model pools expertise and resources to amplify impact. It is especially notable for bringing together Asian-based funders to support grassroots initiatives, enhancing the region’s ability to meet ambitious global biodiversity targets.
“Supporting ocean conservation in Southeast Asia presents an opportunity not only to protect precious ecosystems, but also to address critical humanitarian priorities for hundreds of millions across the region,” said Kathlyn Tan, Director of Rumah Foundation.
Despite this early success, fund organizers stress that far greater investment is needed to truly achieve the 30×30 target across Southeast Asia. The funding provided so far represents only a small fraction of what is required to meet the vast conservation needs of the region’s ocean ecosystems.
The Fund remains open to new applications and invites regional and global funders, conservationists, and community organizations to join this critical initiative. Interested parties can visit 30x30fund.org for more information.
Lead image courtesy of Asia Community Foundation (prospectus – 30×30 impact fund)
You may also be interested in :
The 30×30 Southeast Asia Ocean Fund: A New Hope For Marine Conservation Announced At COP16
