Supported Projects
The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund awards grants through its Advancing Circular Economy (ACE) Facility for projects that apply practical circular economy principles to prevent solid waste from entering the marine environment or removing marine litter.
Project Eligibility
To qualify for funding, all projects must incorporate the following elements into their design:
- Alignment with the circular economy principles, focusing on marine waste prevention, minimization, and removal. Projects that include upstream solutions and a sustainable sound management process after waste removal will be of particular interest to the ACE Facility Committee (processes such as reuse, recycling, proper disposal of waste, repurposing, etc.).
- Should be based on a robust theory of change.
- The project design should reflect the theory of change in a logical framework.
- Incorporate baseline information and relevant studies, especially related to the proposed project location.
- Utilize the best available scientific knowledge and consider traditional knowledge where applicable.
- Clearly describe the tangible benefits for marine and coastal ecosystems and biodiversity via the implementation of the circular economy approach.
- Align projects with national policies and strategies (e.g. biodiversity plans, waste management strategies, circular economy policies)
- Include disaggregated gender data and analyze gender perspectives in project design.
- Address the impact on vulnerable groups (e.g. waste pickers, informal sector workers).
- Clearly outline plans for financially sustaining project interventions beyond the grant funding period.
- Ensure interventions align with international legally binding instruments on plastic pollution.
- Co-financing should complement the selected entities’ project proposals.
- Articulate a monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) framework aligned with ACE Facility objectives and indicators.
- Demonstrate adherence to the CBF’s Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) during project execution.
- High-impact projects. Projects that effectively implement circular economy interventions that address environmental, economic, and social challenges and significantly contribute to the achievement of the ACE Facility targets.
Bankrupt applicants, in closure or ceasing their activities, are having their activities administered by courts, have entered into receivership, or are in any analogous situation are not eligible for funding.
Individuals or legal entities that have been convicted by a final judgment or administrative decision or are subject to financial sanctions by the United Nations, the European Union, and/or Germany due to involvement in criminal organizations, money laundering, terrorist-related offenses, child labour, or human trafficking are excluded. This exclusion criterion also applies to legal entities whose majority shares are held or controlled by individuals or other legal entities subject to such convictions or sanctions
Project Design Preferences
The ACE Facility may give preferential treatment to projects that incorporate the following elements:
- Circular economy principles, marine pollution management, and sustainability.
- Projects that effectively implement circular economy interventions that address environmental, economic, and social challenges and a maximized contribution to the achievement of the ACE Facility targets.
- Continuity or Complementarity: Projects connecting on-the-ground activities with higher-level decision-making work to foster structural and sustainable change
- Synergies: Explicitly designed projects achieving synergies with other national and regional waste management initiatives.
- Gender and Youth Focus: Projects addressing gender and youth perspectives in waste management, marine conservation, education, and alternative livelihoods
- Strengthening Civil Society Organizations (CSOs): Capacity-building projects for CSOs, contributing to a broader network dedicated to reducing marine litter
- Partnerships: Projects demonstrating multi-sectoral and viable waste management partnerships, including Public Private Partnerships.
Focus of Projects To Be Supported
The ACE Facility will support investments in equipment and infrastructure, generation of data and knowledge, policy support, and education of consumers in the following areas:
- Projects that promote and apply practical circular economy principles to remove marine litter and consider processes after waste removal for proper disposal of waste, like recycling, reuse, refurbish, etc.
- Projects that promote and apply practical circular economy principles to minimize and/or prevent waste from entering the marine environment.
The above should be complemented by activities that:
- support knowledge and data generation on the topics of the circular economy and marine pollution in the Caribbean region,
- promote the sustainable approach to ACE Facility projects ensuring they operate
- formulate new and/or strengthen existing partnerships that promote the circular economy in the Caribbean
Projects shall take into account the 10 R-strategies for a circular economy.
Projects, focusing on marine waste prevention, minimization, and removal, shall align with the priority scope (waste stream and sectors) of the ACE Facility:
- Integrated Solid Waste Management Systems.
- Littering/open Dumpsite management.
- Agricultural plastics.
- Synthetic Textiles.
- Personal Care and Cosmetics Industry (Plastic Packaging).
- Transport Sector (solid waste components)
- Coastal/Offshore Tourism and Recreation.
- Medical Waste Articles
- Abandoned, lost, or other discarded fishing gear (ALDFG)
- Marine Transport Industry.
- Disaster Debris Management.
Grant Sizes
Grant funding amounts range from USD 400,000 to USD 2,000,000 and need to be complemented by co-financing of the grantees as outlined below. The project shall consider long-term sustainability and financial feasibility beyond the grant funding period.
Co-financing
Project co-financing is a collaborative approach that can encompass a wide range of contributions. By leveraging diverse resources and expertise, co-financing enables more comprehensive, impactful, and sustainable project outcomes. Grantees will be required to provide co-financing as follows:
- Non-profit organisations (CBOs, academia, local and regional NGOs) - 25% co-financing (in-kind and cash inclusive)
- Government Institutions; Statutory Bodies or Quasi-government Institutions - 25% co-financing (cash only)
- Regional Organisations - 50% co-financing (25% cash and 25% in-kind)
- For-profit private SMEs, NGOs, CBOs - 50% co-financing (25% cash and 25% in-kind)
Project Duration
The projects financed by the ACE Facility shall have an implementation period of two and a half (2.5) years to three (3) years. The project’s timeline may be extended, under extenuating circumstances, subject to the satisfactory request by the grantee and subsequent acceptance and approval by the ACE Facility. Project extensions requiring additional funding will not be considered.
Additional Considerations
- To ensure compliance with the CBF’s Environmental Social Management System and the ACE Facility Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan, the ACE Facility will monitor the grantee's progress through continuous contact with grantees, site visits, and review of reports (biannual technical and financial reporting) to be submitted by the grantee to the ACE Facility
- During the life of the project, the grantee is required to immediately inform the CBF’s ACE Facility of any changes in contact information or the project scope of work, as well as any difficulties in completing the goals articulated by the project description. Any major changes in the project design shall require CBF's prior consent. The Grantee shall inform the CBF’s ACE Facility thereof immediately, stating the reasons, the planned measures, and the consequences of the change (including on Total Cost). Execution of such measures may commence only based on revised planning and upon CBFs written consent.
- During the life of the project, the grantee is required to immediately report to the CBF’s ACE Facility serious incidents with regard to environmental and social matters (including occupational and community health & safety and labour issues as well as impacts on adjacent population). Grantees will also be required to support with the completion of the CBF’s ACE Facility Incident Report(s) to KfW.
- The grantees must have their financial information independently audited annually by external auditors, in accordance with International Standards on Auditing as published by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board of the International Federation of Accountants.
- The grant can only be closed once all required documents have been submitted and verified in accordance with a final report (technical and financial as per ACE Facility templates).
Via its EbA Facility, grants are awarded to projects that contribute to the realization of the strategic objective of the EbA Facility, which is to sustainably manage EbA supporting marine and coastal zone habitats, including rehabilitating key high biodiversity ecosystems and incorporating social and economic resilience to climate change.
Successful project must:
- show a clear EbA focus, that is, the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an overall adaptation strategy to help people to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change.
- be focused on the marine and coastal zones or demonstrate direct impact on these zones. Please see the project flyers for EbA Facility grantees from the 1st Call for Proposals for examples of previous successful applications.
- include restoration and rehabilitation of ecosystems, management of protected areas, reduction of negative impacts of climate-related threats, measures to reduce physical damage and other related pressures on ecosystems, rehabilitation of coral reefs, and hybrid solutions (gray-green infrastructure) relevant to the EbA approach. Protected areas (PAs) management support can be considered in protected areas that are relevant to ecosystem-based adaptation.
- be focused on helping people adapt to adverse effects of climate change, reduce disaster risk, and build resilient ecosystems and economies. In addition, grants should focus on the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services and may include developing and replicating successful models.
Supported projects that realize the EbA Facility's strategic objective can include:
This intervention category covers a range of management activities that directly protect habitats in order to reduce climate risks. It also covers activities that directly restore or rehabilitate habitats in order to reduce climate risks. Restoration activities could include conventional (well-established) natural habitat restoration approaches, new types of natural habitat restoration approaches, and hybrid solutions that combine build infrastructure with natural habitats. Hybrid solutions, also known as green-gray solutions, often provide cost effective, long-term climate resilience to vulnerable communities and infrastructure. Illustrative activities include but are not limited to:
- Management programs to mitigate the major threats to protected areas or marine managed areas that reduce climate risks and provide other ecosystem services.
- Alternative and sustainable livelihood programs explicitly designed to strengthen protected areas or marine managed areas that reduce climate risks and provide other ecosystem services.
- Restore coral reefs through coral nursery and out-planting operations that reduce climate risks and provide other ecosystem services. This could include new technologies and approaches for scaling up coral restoration.
- Restore mangroves through nursery and out-planting operations that reduce climate risks and provide other ecosystem services.
- Restore sea-grass beds throughout-planting operations that reduce climate risks and provide other ecosystem functions.
- Reduce land-based sources of pollution that have contributed to degradation of marine and coastal zone ecosystems and which affect their resilience to climate change.
- Restore upland forests and riparian areas (linked to, and clearly demonstrating, climate risk reduction for coastal zones) through reforestation and sustainable forest management operations that reduce climate risks and provide other ecosystem services.
- Implement “hybrid” restoration solutions (green-gray approaches) which integrate traditional “gray” engineering structures, such as sea walls or coastal armoring, and “green” infrastructure such as conservation and restoration of mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass and coastal wetlands. Activities may include new and innovative approaches that reduce climate risks and provide other ecosystem services.
- Calculation of greenhouse gas emissions reduced, or carbon stocks enhanced through project activities
This intervention category is to be engaged in tandem with the interventions identified in the section above. It covers a range of activities linked to community engagement in reducing climate risks and building adaptive capacities associated with restoration and rehabilitation. Activities could be designed to create greater understanding, capacity and participation among the people most affected by climate change, and that most depend on ecosystem services provided by natural habitats. Illustrative activities include but are not limited to:
- Promote diversified, supplemental and sustainable livelihoods that can simultaneously reduce social vulnerability and reduce pressures on EbA-supporting marine and coastal resources
- Promote sustainable agriculture as a means of relieving the pressure on marine and coastal zone ecosystems as well as providing for enhanced food security.
- Raise awareness of local communities and local decision-makers regarding EbA and climate risk reduction
- Ensure the involvement of multiple stakeholders in the planning and implementation process to generate benefits such improved plans and stewardship, increased understanding, and support for EbA measures, legitimized process, facilitated knowledge and sharing, generated ownership, and enhanced social and technical innovation
- Support EbA efforts through learning networks, communities of practice, and knowledge co-production
- Operate with principles of free, prior and informed consent when engaging with different groups to ensure appropriate outcomes
Across the above intervention categories, the EbA Facility could support the testing and development of new EbA models that could be scaled up, including new approaches, techniques and technologies. Illustrative examples include but are not limited to:
- Ridge to reef (R2R) approach: This approach emphasizes the connectivity of adjacent ecosystems, from upland forests to coastal areas, and ensures a wholistic, systems view of the effects of connected ecosystems on a particular coastal population. Direct impact on the coastal zone must be demonstrated.
- New approaches to coral restoration: This could include the deployment of technologies that have been developed in recent years, designed to scale up restoration efforts (e.g. micro-fragmentation, enhancement of natural coral reproduction, and the use of new types of remote sensing technologies to monitor and map coral reefs).
- Community-based adaptation (CbA) approach: This approach emphasizes community participation and leadership in EbA projects—covering community priorities, needs, knowledge and capacities—to empower coastal communities to plan and cope with the impacts of climate change.
- Resilient landscape approach: A resilient landscape can be defined as one where people have the means and capacities to make natural resources, production systems, and the economy work for all and for nature over the long term. Direct impact on the coastal zone must be demonstrated.
- Economic models for quantifying benefits to communities through EbA projects.
- Transformative co-production or knowledge co-production to effectively translate science into policy and actions
In alignment with the CBF’s vision of a Caribbean region where both its natural environment and people thrive, the proposed projects should yield significant environmental and social net benefits to the region. Proponents applying to this Call for Proposals should demonstrate that they are able to identify, assess, and manage the environmental, social, and climate change-related risks and impacts of their projects.
Applicants are encouraged to consult the CBF Environmental and Social Policy and Exclusion List to make sure that their Concept Notes are aligned with the CBF’s requirements.
Projects Size
This intervention category covers a range of management activities that directly protect habitats in order to reduce climate risks. It also covers activities that directly restore or rehabilitate habitats in order to reduce climate risks. Restoration activities could include conventional (well-established) natural habitat restoration approaches, new types of natural habitat restoration approaches, and hybrid solutions that combine build infrastructure with natural habitats. Hybrid solutions, also known as green-gray solutions, often provide cost effective, long-term climate resilience to vulnerable communities and infrastructure. Illustrative activities include but are not limited to:
Large grants would be in the range of USD 1M to USD 3M, with some exceptions for larger grants involving multi-country/regional projects. These grants could cover projects that target broad geographic scales and larger-scale impacts (e.g. regional, national and seascape-scale projects). Grantees could be international, regional and national-level entities (government and non-governmental) with a track record of managing grants of this size in the last three years.
Medium-sized grants would be in the range of USD 400,000 to USD 1M. These grants could cover projects that target smaller geographic scales and impacts (e.g. seascape-scale and site-scale projects) but could serve as models for scaling up approaches and activities. Grantees could be primarily national and local-level entities (government, civil society), with a track record of managing grants of this size in the last three years.
Whenever possible, co-financing should be identified. Private sector applicants are expected to commit at least matching finance in support of the grant request (50% CBF; 50% cofinance).
Applicants are asked to note that a separate bank account dedicated to the EbA Facility grant must be opened by organizations in the event that an award is approved on the basis of successful proposals.
Project Duration
The projects may be implemented in a maximum period of 48 months.
