Segunda Convocatoria Fase III
Photo: Judith Morales
CALL GUIDELINES
SECOND CALL
Project “Protection of Maritime Resources in Central America III”
The Mesoamerican Reef System (SAM) region encompasses the largest coral reef barrier in the Atlantic and is part of an interconnected network of marine-coastal ecosystems that extend throughout the Caribbean Basin. Its coastline stretches one thousand kilometers from the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico to the Bay Islands in Honduras, passing through Belize and Guatemala. The SAM is a source of valuable coastal and marine resources and ecological services. It is home to more than 500 fish species, as well as important populations of manatees, sea turtles, and whale sharks, and extensive areas of mangrove, seagrass, and coral cover.
The scenic beauty of the region has made it an important tourist destination, and the presence of commercially valuable fish species supports artisanal and industrial fisheries. There is also strong agricultural activity throughout most of the region. These activities, while stimulating the economy, threaten the integrity of ecological systems and the services they provide.
An effective way to address the various threats facing the SAM is through a regional, interconnected, and functional network of Marine-Coastal Protected Areas (MCPAs). Currently, the SAM region has more than 70 MCPAs. Approximately 72% of the region reefs and just over half of the mangrove surface area are within protected areas. However, it is necessary to strengthen their management.
If MCPAs are properly managed, the network will protect biodiversity, critical habitats, ecosystems, spawning aggregation sites, connectivity, and the services they provide; it will contribute to reducing the impacts of climate change and generate opportunities for development and growth. In addition, MCPAs supply fresh water, safeguard natural resources, reduce the impact of natural disasters, and protect traditional ways of life and the cultural and spiritual values of indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples.
Overexploitation and irresponsible use of marine-coastal resources harm ecosystem health and human well-being. To address these threats, it is necessary to promote sustainable use of natural resources, with the participation of local populations, always respecting national legal frameworks. Sustainable use of natural resources allows their use for social, economic, and cultural benefits without depleting them, enabling their replenishment for the enjoyment of future generations.
Sustainability actions include the development of natural resource use plans, productive projects with a positive impact on the reef or coastal ecosystems that also provide alternative income for communities, co-management of fishing recovery zones with users, actions for proper solid and liquid waste management, good fishing practices and responsible tourism, strengthening of MCPAs, among others.
The Mesoamerican Reef Fund, Inc. (MAR Fund) is a private regional environmental fund established to support the protection of the SAM. MAR Fund was created by four pre-existing environmental funds, one from each country in the region. The Board of Directors includes the founding funds, a representative of the Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD), conservation experts from each participating country, and international collaborators/donors. The mission of MAR Fund is to drive financing and regional partnerships for the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of the SAM. MAR Fund raises and grants financing to partners who develop activities directly in the field.
In fulfillment of its mission and within the framework of the Saving Our Protected Areas program, from 2012 to 2020 MAR Fund implemented the “Marine Resource Conservation in Central America” Projects Phases I and II, developed in nine priority MCPAs with financial support from German Cooperation through KfW. On December 8, 2021, KfW provided new financial support to MAR Fund to implement the “Protection of Maritime Resources in Central America III” (Phase III) project, which aims to build on the experiences of Phases I and II over a 6-year period.
As part of Phase III actions, MAR Fund is pleased to launch the second call for funding of conservation and sustainable use of natural resources projects in SAM MCPAs. This call is directed to the managers/authorities and co-managers of all SAM MCPAs (with the exception of those MCPAs whose proposals were selected in the first call). Only proposals submitted by at least two MCPAs will be accepted.
Eligibility Criteria and Requirements
The following details the eligibility criteria and requirements to determine whether a project qualifies for funding, as well as important aspects to consider when preparing concept notes and project proposals.
This call has two funding lines:
- Conservation of SAM natural resources
This funding line refers to the protection, management, and/or restoration of ecosystems and natural resources, with the objective of ensuring their permanence and that of the environmental services they provide. This funding line may include activities such as biodiversity monitoring, ecosystem restoration measures, protection of migratory routes and aggregation zones, creation, expansion, or strengthening of fishing recovery zones, and implementation of better conservation practices, among others.
- Sustainable use of SAM natural resources
This funding line refers to responsible practices for using natural resources in a way that obtains social, cultural, and economic benefits in the present, while maintaining their potential for future generations. This funding line may include market-based activities using sustainable natural resource use, alternative income generation, sustainable fishing, and low-impact tourism, among others.
The priority ecosystems and resources for Phase III are: mangroves, seagrass beds, coral reefs, and fisheries. Proposals should focus on as many of these ecosystems/resources as possible.
Applicants are invited to develop projects that encompass one or both of the funding lines described above.
Projects must directly contribute to achieving the general objective, results, and indicators of Phase III as detailed below:
General Objective:
Conservation and sustainable use of natural resources in and among the selected marine-coastal protected areas (MCPAs) of the Mesoamerican Reef System (SAM).
Results:
- MCPAs have improved conditions for the conservation of their natural resources1,
- Measures implemented for sustainable use of MCPA natural resources with the participation of the local population2 y
- Strengthened cooperation among key stakeholders for SAM biodiversity conservation.
Objective Indicators:
O1: superficie en hectáreas con mejor conservación,
O2: superficie de ecosistemas relevantes con uso más sostenible y
O3: number of initiatives supporting climate change adaptation of vulnerable populations.
To align your project activities with the Phase III logical framework please consult the Phase III Logical Framework.
1Expected result for proposals covering funding line 1 (Conservation of SAM natural resources)
2Expected result for proposals covering funding line 2 (Sustainable use of SAM natural resources)
The second call is directed to all SAM MCPAs, with the exception of those MCPAs whose proposals were selected in the first call. Eligible MCPAs are detailed at the following link: SAM MCPAs
In this call, the applicant is defined as the manager/authority or co-manager of eligible MCPAs. Since only proposals involving at least two MCPAs will be accepted, interested parties must designate one of the MCPAs as the applicant, and only one proposal per applicant may be approved.
Eligible MCPAs from Mexico must apply through a civil society organization (CSO), which will be responsible for managing the project funds. MCPAs managed by governmental institutions from other countries that do not have a co-manager may, if they wish, also apply through a CSO, provided it is duly registered in their country. A CSO is defined as any group of voluntary nonprofit citizens, duly registered, organized around specific objectives at the local or national level, that does not seek personal benefits but rather benefits for society and its environment. In all cases, applicants will be the managers/authorities or co-managers of the MCPAs. Please note that the applicant and the CSO, once defined, may not change during the evaluation process of the proposed project.
As indicated above, proposals must include at least two SAM MCPAs, which may be from the same country or from different SAM countries. Proposals must include activities that strengthen cooperation among key stakeholders for SAM biodiversity conservation, including exchanges and/or collaborations with other MCPAs, thereby contributing to Phase III Result 3. Applicants may include, if they wish, activities to be implemented in the areas of influence of eligible MCPAs. Applicants must define these areas of influence in the CN.
The minimum implementation time for projects will be 24 months and the maximum will be 36 months, starting from the signing of the financial assignment agreement between MAR Fund and the applicant. The call process timeline is found in section XII.
Projects may be submitted for amounts between US $350,000 and US $518,000.
The project budget must cover all direct costs necessary for its implementation. For this call, at least 20% of the total project amount must come from other sources, as a counterpart contribution (in kind and/or cash).
The following are some examples of potentially eligible activities for the two Phase III funding lines. This is not an exhaustive list and other activities may be proposed, as long as they are related to one of the two funding lines. Examples of activities that strengthen cooperation among key stakeholders (Phase III Result 3) are also included. Please note that it is important for the project proposal to consider activities focused on the priority ecosystems and resources for Phase III (see section I). Regarding fisheries, applicants are invited to consider actions related to the establishment and/or maintenance of Fishing Recovery Zones (FRZ), improvement of fishing gear, community participation in FRZ management, among others.
Expenses that may be financed with grant funds include, for example, the following: land vehicles, boats and motors, small infrastructure (defined as small infrastructure/repairs to facilities or works such as: wooden docks, palapas, trails, wooden watchtowers requiring an investment of up to US$300,000), field equipment, inputs/materials, consultancies and specific studies (e.g. topographic and geotechnical studies, soil studies, aerial surveys and remote sensing, aerial photography, satellite imagery, cartography, and biological assessments), management effectiveness assessment, travel expenses (international and domestic), training, workshops and meetings, fuel for non-recurring activities, communications, assessments or plans required to meet the commitments of the Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS), ESMS monitoring, registrations and/or research/restoration authorizations/licenses, and direct MCPA administrative expenses (office furniture, desks, office equipment and supplies, consultant to coordinate the project, bank transfer costs), among others.
The cost of registrations and/or research/restoration authorizations/licenses required by national or local government institutions may be included in the project budget starting from implementation year 2. Please note that registrations and/or permits required for project implementation in the first year must be submitted before the signing of the financial assignment agreement.
Expenses that CANNOT be financed with Phase III funds are:
- Development or updating of MCPA management plans,
- Recurring expenses of the MCPA manager/authority or co-manager (such as office rent, fuel for recurring activities, staff salaries, recurring biological monitoring activities),
- Major infrastructure (e.g. administrative headquarters, field stations, control towers),
- Import tariffs, and
- Activities listed in the Exclusion List of the MAR Fund Environmental and Social Policy.
MCPAs whose project is managed by a CSO may include the administrative cost of the project in the budget, which must not exceed 10% of the grant awarded by MAR Fund. All administrative expenses charged to the CSO must be included in this percentage, including, for example, bank transfer costs, administrative follow-up travel expenses, among others. Direct project expenses do not apply to CSOs. The administrative cost percentage applies to the amount executed by the MCPA manager or co-manager.
The call consists of two stages: 1) preparation of a concept note (CN) and 2) preparation of a project proposal (PP).
CNs and PPs may be submitted in Spanish or English.
The applicant must register in the MAR Fund Online Project Management System (SGP). After registering, the applicant will receive a notification email with the system access credentials to submit their CN.
- Stage 1 (Concept Note):
To prepare the CN, applicants must download the Concept Note Format and the Annex 1. Environmental and Social Questionnaire, to complete them according to the instructions. The CN must include: applicant information, information on the CSO that will manage the proposed project funds (where applicable), MCPA information, proposal description, potential environmental and social risks, and estimated budget. More detailed information on how to complete the CN is found in the format instructions.
The complete CN, Annex 1, the required documentation, and any additional documents considered, must be uploaded to the online SGP.
Applicants whose CNs have been selected to proceed to stage 2 will be notified through an email sent from the online SGP, which will also invite them to submit the PP.
- Support for Project Proposal (PP) Development:
MAR Fund will provide financial support of up to US $7,500 for the development of project proposals. Interested parties may request it through the Support Request Format for PP Development and send it to the Project Coordinator (arivas@marfund.org) within no more than two weeks after being notified of CN approval.
The Project Executing Unit (PEU) staff may provide specific complementary support to resolve doubts regarding the preparation of PPs, for which calls will be scheduled via Skype/Zoom/Google Meet with applicants. Support for the PP development process does not in any way imply a commitment to fund the resulting proposal.
- Stage 2 (Project Proposal):
Applicants who receive CN approval notification must use the Project Proposal Format as a reference to prepare their PP by completing the corresponding fields in the online SGP. PPs must include, in more detail, among others: general project information, project description, environmental and social risk analysis, budget, and dissemination of results.
Additionally, they must download and complete the Annex 1. Project Development Table, Annex 2. Project Budget, the Annex 3. Environmental and Social Questionnaire and the Annex 4. Environmental and Social Action Plan, y posteriormente subirlos al SGP en línea. También deberán subir la documentación requerida al SGP en línea.
Upon receipt of PPs in the online SGP, they will be reviewed by PEU staff to confirm that all requested documentation is complete and meets the defined minimum criteria. The PEU may request any formatting changes from the applicant. The applicant will have 15 calendar days to make adjustments and submit the documents. The PEU will ensure that applicants made the adjustments before sending the PP package to the Phase III Evaluation Committee. Applicants who do not respond or submit the adjusted PPs within the established timeframe will be excluded from the evaluation process.
PPs will be evaluated by the evaluation committee using the PP evaluation matrix. The committee results will be sent to KfW for no-objection.
Applicants participating in this call must demonstrate that they are capable of identifying, mitigating, and monitoring the environmental and social risks and impacts of their projects. To do so, they must complete the Environmental and Social Questionnaire with the objective of identifying potential environmental and social risks associated with their projects, and ensure they avoid or minimize adverse impacts.
Subsequently, through an Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP), they must implement measures to mitigate the identified risks. The ESAP is the articulation of all environmental and social measures and requirements necessary for the project to comply with the Política Ambiental y Social and the Salvaguardas de MAR Fund. It is developed as a result of environmental and social due diligence. Mitigation measures that involve an expense associated with their implementation (e.g. assessments, plans, monitoring) must be taken into account when preparing the budget.
When conducting these environmental and social management analyses, activities financed with counterpart contributions should not be taken into consideration, only those implemented through MAR Fund financial support. However, applicants are encouraged to adopt these good practices for the implementation of all activities in their projects.
For the CN, the applicant must complete the Environmental and Social Questionnaire and provide a summary of the identified risks. For the PP, the applicant will review, update (if necessary), and complete the questionnaire, and will develop together with the PEU an advanced draft of the ESAP to propose mitigation measures for the risks associated with the proposed project. Please note that if your PP is accepted, the financial assignment agreement will include the ESAP, which will detail the environmental and social commitments that must be fulfilled throughout the project according to the identified risks. The ESAP will specify the dates by which these commitments must be met.
Applicants and CSOs (if applicable) must also have a grievance mechanism and detail in the PP the methodology for monitoring this mechanism, as well as the steps to be taken to resolve received complaints. If they do not have a grievance mechanism, they must implement one. MAR Fund may support applicants by providing its own grievance mechanism as an example.
Please note that if your PP is accepted, during project execution the ESAP monitoring must be conducted quarterly and the grievance mechanism monitoring monthly.
Applicants are the managers/authorities or co-managers of eligible MCPAs. For each proposed project there must be only one applicant, who will be responsible for submitting the CN and PP in the online SGP.
The table below lists the mandatory requirements that applicants must meet. In the event that the applicant anticipates collaboration with a CSO (which will be responsible for managing the project funds), the CSO requirements must also be considered.
(*) The current co-management agreement also applies to the other MCPAs participating in the project proposal that are not the applicant.
The evaluation of CNs will be carried out according to the guidelines contained in the Concept Note Evaluation Matrix and the evaluation of PPs will be carried out according to the guidelines contained in the Project Proposal Evaluation Matrix.
Mandatory requirements for the CN and PP:
- The project will be implemented in at least two of the eligible MCPAs,
- All MCPAs involved in the proposal have a current Master Plan/Management Program/Management Plan,
- The proposed project includes in its activities a management effectiveness assessment (one at the start if the MCPA does not have one, and another at the end of its implementation),
- The MCPAs have minimum staff, trained to implement the project, headquarters/station, and minimum budget,
- A counterpart contribution of at least 20% of the total project budget must be presented (in cash and/or in kind),
- An amount within the established funding limits is requested,
- The project contributes to one or both call funding lines,
- The project includes actions to be carried out in one or more of the priority ecosystems and resources for Phase III,
- Projects under funding line 1 (“Conservation”) must mandatorily contribute to the following Phase III objective indicator: “O1: Area in hectares with improved conservation”.
- Projects under funding line 2 (“Sustainable use”) must mandatorily contribute to the following Phase III objective indicator: “O2: Area of relevant ecosystems with more sustainable use”.
- Additionally, the project must contribute to at least two more indicators of the Phase III Logical Framework, which the applicant may select.
- The project has an environmental and social risk level of C, B, or B+,
- The implementation period falls within the permitted timeframe,
- It has the endorsement of the national authority, and
- It has the agreement of indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples (if applicable).
Only proposals that meet all requirements, exceed a minimum score of 70%, and have the favorable approval of at least 50% of the evaluation committee members may be selected for funding.
The estimated timeline for the complete call process is as follows:
Download the call documents and annexes
- Call Guidelines
- SAM MCPAs
- Phase III Logical Framework
- Table 1 – Fish Spawning Aggregations
- Table 2 – Fishing Recovery Zones
- Infographic
- Phase III Logical Framework Information Sheet
- Concept Note Format
- Concept Note Evaluation Matrix
- Support Request Format for PP Development
- Project Proposal Format
- Annex 1 – Project Development Tableo
- Annex 2 – Project Budget
- Annex 3 – Environmental and Social Questionnaire
- Project Proposal Evaluation Matrixo
To download all documents in a zip file, click here
For more information, or if you have any issues with the online SGP, please contact:
Ana Beatriz Rivas
Coordinadora del Proyecto
arivas@marfund.org