Oak Foundation Regranting

Photo: Fundación Albatros

COMPLETED PROJECT
2016-2020

Introduction

Important progress has been made in the conservation and management of natural resources in the Mesoamerican Reef, including: the creation and management of protected areas and other protection mechanisms such as fish refuges; the establishment of monitoring processes that currently generate information on the health of coastal and marine ecosystems; the creation and strengthening of human capital and local organizations; and the development of tools for planning and managing protected areas and resources, to name a few. Despite these efforts, the conservation and health of the SAM ecoregion remain incomplete and new threats must be addressed. Furthermore, many of these initiatives require sustained financial support over time.

Photo: Blanca Quiroga

To consolidate the progress made to date, ensure its continuity, and address existing threats, it is essential that stakeholders doing important work in the region have access to reliable funding. This funding can come from endowment funds and sinking funds.

For more than 15 years, Oak Foundation has been a primary partner and donor in the Mesoamerican Reef. To support this initiative, Oak Foundation granted MAR Fund, through the grant proposal “Re-granting in the Mesoamerican Reef”, sinking funds to finance ongoing initiatives for two to four additional years, depending on the project.

The seven re-granting beneficiaries for specific projects are located in different countries:

Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative (HRI) (through Smithsonian Institution);
Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW);
Community and Biodiversity (COBI);
Center for Marine Studies (CEM);
Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development (SACD),
Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE);
Southern Environmental Association (SEA).

The seven re-financed projects began at different times for periods of 2-4 years, from late 2016 through 2020.