The Commonwealth Secretariat, in partnership with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and CAF, Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, has launched the second call for proposals for the Commonwealth Blue Charter Incubator. The initiative, which opened on Monday 5th October, aims to accelerate practical ocean action by supporting innovative, country-led solutions to pressing marine challenges.
Under this new funding round, between 10 and 15 projects will receive grants of up to £50,000. These funds are designed to help Commonwealth nations develop and test initiatives tailored to national priorities across five key areas: marine pollution, ecosystem restoration, sustainable fisheries, the blue economy, and the ocean-climate nexus.
Strengthening global ocean collaboration
This round builds upon a partnership established in March 2026 between the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. The collaboration is structured to bridge the gap between high-level ambition and ground-level execution by engaging governments, local stakeholders, civil society, and technical experts.
“The transition towards a healthier and more sustainable ocean requires not only ambitious ideas, but the capacity to turn them into practical action. Through the Commonwealth Blue Charter Incubator, promising initiatives can be developed and strengthened, creating pathways for innovation to respond to concrete challenges facing the ocean and coastal communities,” said Romain Ciarlet, Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
Building on the Apia Declaration and expanding partnerships
The Incubator directly supports the implementation of the Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration, which was adopted at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa in 2024. Its inaugural round successfully backed eight projects across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Americas, and the Pacific.
Furthermore, this second call expands the initiative’s coalition by welcoming CAF as a partner alongside the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, strengthening the backing for sustainable ocean development and blue finance.
Application details
Applications for Round II are now open and must be submitted via the online application form by 11th December 2026 at 23:59 GMT.
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Photo Credit: Commonwealth Secretariat