MAR Fund – Protecting the Mesoamerican Reef
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New title
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • WHAT IS MAR FUND?
    • MESOAMERICAN REEF
    • MISSION & VISION
    • FOUNDING MEMBERS
    • ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
    • BOARD OF DIRECTORS
    • THE TEAM
    • INTRANET
      • BOARD OF DIRECTORS
      • STAFF
    • CONTACT US
    • JOB OPPORTUNITIES
    • EVENTS
    • MAR NEWS
  • VICTORIES
    • GENERAL
    • MEXICO
    • BELIZE
    • GUATEMALA
    • HONDURAS
  • PROGRAMS
    • SAVING OUR PROTECTED AREAS
      • SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM
      • CONSERVATION OF MARINE RESOURCES IN C. A. PROJECT
      • RE-GRANTING WITH OAK FOUNDATION
    • FISHING FOR THE FUTURE
      • MAR FISH
      • FISH REPLENISHMENT ZONES (FRZ)
    • CLIMATE CHANGE
      • REEF RESCUE INITIATIVE
      • MANGROVES
      • GAGGA
    • BELIZE MARINE FUND
    • CLEAN WATER FOR THE REEF
    • CROSS-CUTTING: MAR+INVEST
  • NETWORKS
    • MAR CONNECTIVITY NETWORK
    • REGIONAL MANATEE WORKING GROUP
    • REEF RESTORATION NETWORK
  • DONORS
  • ALLIES
  • LIBRARY
    • ANNUAL REPORTS
    • UPDATES ON ACTIVITIES
    • MAR FUND DOCUMENTS
    • FINANCIAL FACT SHEET
    • TECHNICAL FACT SHEETS
    • MBRS
    • GENDER AND FISHING
    • RESPONSIBLE COASTAL SOCIETIES
    • MAREA
    • LA OLA
    • VIDEOS
  • DONATE
    • CASE FOR SUPPORT
    • GIVING
      OPPORTUNITIES
    • DONATE NOW
    • GLOBAL GIVING
  • EVENTS
  • ESMS SYSTEM

Belize Marine Fund

Enhancing marine conservation in Belize with the participation of local stakeholders, for wider regional benefit

What it is

The Belize Marine Fund (BMF) is a recent initiative and new financial mechanism established within the Mesoamerican Reef Fund (MAR Fund). The BMF, launched in November 2016 at the 18th RedLAC Annual Assembly in Brasilia, Brazil, was created through a US$ 10 million endowment challenge grant from the Oak Foundation, owing to the transition of the Foundation’s own Mesoamerican Reef Programme from the region. MAR Fund must raise US$ 15 million as a match to mobilize the Oak Foundation commitment. The vision of the BMF is to provide long-term financial sustainability for addressing high-priority marine resources management and conservation issues in Belize for greater impact throughout the Mesoamerican Reef Eco-region.

What it does

The BMF promotes the sustainable use and effective management of priority marine ecosystems in Belize—particularly those natural assets that make up (and interfaces with) the Belize Barrier Reef Complex. It supports civil society conservation organizations in activities geared at enhancing resources management, acquiring additional financing for resources management, and strengthening legislative reforms, through strategic interventions and actions.

While the $10M gift is contingent on the MAR Fund raising an additional $15M, Oak will make $500K available for marine conservation annually for five years as the MAR Fund raises the matching funds.

Central to the BMFs’ programmatic efforts is its Small Grants and Targeted Grants Programmes. These grant programmes provide the channels through which the Fund dispenses the support needed by its local partners to address some of Belize, and the region’s, most pressing environmental challenges.

The Small Grants Programme maintains an annual request for proposals (RfP), that is launched on the MAR Fund website. The RfP is shared via electronic mail and print media (nationally), with specific information, which includes the threshold for support and deadline for the submission of grant applications.

The Targeted Grants Programme has no structured RfP. Instead, it allows organizations, based on their areas of expertise and the particular needs of the BMF, to submit concept notes for potential projects/initiatives. The submitted projects/initiatives are considered on a rolling basis. There is also provision for the BMF to determine the landscape for initiatives of interest, that are strategic in thinking, for achieving more national broad-based environmental actions that would require larger investments than small grants.

What it supports and who is eligible

In executing its grant-making functions, the BMF seeks eligible non-governmental, community-based and education/academic, or scientific organizations with project interests that meet the following criteria:

  • work to address (root causes of) some of Belize’s and the region’s most urgent environmental and marine resources management challenges;
  • can be replicated locally, nationally and across broad geographical locations;
  • incorporate plans (considerations) for long-term sustainability of the work;
  • are of a collaborative nature;
  • build on broader national/regional projects and initiatives for Mesoamerican Reef management and conservation;
  • have secured other sources of matching funds from entities not affilated with the BMF; and
  • respond to national, regional or global conservation plans/goals.

Annually, the BMF will establish priority areas of focus for both its Small and Targeted Grants Programmes to inform its investments. These priority areas of focus will be informed by the Fund’s strategic plan, a scan of Belize and the regions’ environmental landscape, and insights from the BMF’s Steering Committee, which is the governing body tasked with providing guidance to the work of the Fund.

While the priority areas may evolve, broad thematic areas for funding will include:

1. Protected areas management and conservation;

2. Sustainable use of natural resources;

3. Adaptation to climate change; and

4. Sustainable financing for marine resources management.

Under these themes, specific categories of projects may also include efforts related to fisheries management, marine conservation policy, institutional capacity building for marine conservation civil society organizations, climate resilience and the blue economy, protected areas creation/expansion, the protection and restoration of fragile or degraded ecosystems, sustainable income generating activities for local coastal communities and community organizations, and the management of solid waste and effluents for resource sustainability.

Why this work is important

The Mesoamerican Reef remains the largest trans-boundary reef ecosystem. It is recognized for its biodiversity and the source of livelihoods for 1.5 million people living along the Caribbean coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. The Mesoamerican Reef region is internationally known for being at the forefront of cutting edge and innovative reef management efforts. The region has made significant advancements in marine resources management and conservation over the years. However, there is still much more that needs to be accomplished. Critically important is the fact that the Belize Barrier Reef World Heritage site remains on the list of World Heritage Sites in danger, and there is a need for increased protection of fish replenishment zones and spawning aggregation sites across the region, among other strategic conservation needs. Therefore, we must maintain our collective regional and global quest for sustained and vibrant marine resources and oceans. The effort of the BMF in working to sustain some of the most globally important marine resources is a vital step towards realizing our collective goal.

Small Grants

Donate Now

The Belize Marine Fund (BMF) presents a fantastic opportunity for enhancing marine conservation in Belize by addressing high-priority coastal and marine resources management issues. Those interested in supporting the BMF can contact María José Gonzalez at mjgonzalez@marfund.org or Angeline Valentine at avalentine@marfund.org

With a one-time or monthly gift, together we can continue to conserve, restore, and sustain the Mesoamerican Reef—Join us!

To make your contribution, we kindly request that you register with PayPal. Click here

Donate Now!

Resources

Belize Marine Fund Investment Strategy 2019 -2021

BMF 2nd Biennial Conference

Conference Proceedings and Presentations

Agenda – Belize Marine Fund 2nd Biennial Conference

BMF 2nd Biennial Conference Proceedings

Theme 1 – Resilience Analysis of Belize’s MPAs System to Climate Change-Nadia Bood-WWF

Theme 1 – Expanding Belize’s Network of MPAs-Ralna Lewis-WCS

Theme 1 – Contributing to Resilient Fishereies by
Strengthening MA Committees – Nicanor Requena-EDF

Theme 2 – Rebuilding Abundance-Janelle Chanona-Oceana

Theme 2 – Building Capacity for Effective Lionfish Management in Belize’s FRZs-Fabian Kyne-Blue Ventures

Theme 2 – Building Knowledge of FSAs at Cayman Crown Through Monitoring and Protection-Cecilia Guerrero-TIDE

Theme 3 Ongoing Reef Replenishment in Southern Belize-Lisa Carne-Fragments of Hope

Theme 3 Efforts to Safeguard Belize’s Endangered Antillean Manatees -Jamal Galves-CMARI

Theme 4 – Creating the Next Generation of Conservation Leaders Reef Protectors – Dareece – BAS

Theme 4 – The Importance of Belize’s Marine Resources to Our Tourism Product –
Linette Canto – BTIA

Theme 4 – Branding for Change – Enhancing National and International Awareness of the
BBRRS WHS-Nadia Bood-WWF

Theme 5 – Developing Belize’s Blue Economy Policy and Strategy – Maxine Monsanto – MBECA

Theme 5 – Investing in a Resilient Coastal Economy – Project Finance for Permanence for Belize –
Osmany Salas – WWF

Theme 5 – Game Changing Finance Solutions – Finding a Way to Making MPAs Work –
Valdemar Andrade – TASA

Theme 5 – Blue Economy Regional Protocol–An Opportunity to Enhance Regional,
National and Local Coordination – Carlos Rodriguez-MAR2R

Theme 6 – Belize Marine Fund (BMF) Investments – Angeline Valentine – MAR Fund – BMF

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16 years protecting Mesoamerican Reef (2005-2022).