Environment - Marine Focus Area Grant

Environment - Marine Focus Area Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Waterloo Foundation, The (TWF)
Amount: £100,000 - £150,000
Last Updated: January 17, 2026

Summary

The Environment - Marine Focus Area Grant, offered by the Waterloo Foundation, focuses on supporting projects that mitigate the negative impacts of human activities on marine ecosystems. This grant prioritizes initiatives that aim to halt the decline of fish stocks in developing countries and promote sustainable fisheries management in Wales. Eligible applicants include UK-based charities, and the foundation encourages proposals that demonstrate measurable outcomes and sustainable practices.

Overview

Environment Programme Through our environment fund we want to support projects which can help mitigate the damaging effects that humans are having on the environment and contribute to a positive change both now and in the future. Marine Focus Area Under our Marine programme, preference will be given to initiatives working to halt the decline of fish stocks that communities in developing countries rely on, and those working to bring about sustainable fisheries in Wales. We predominantly support strategic initiatives, but also consider practical local projects. The protection of mangroves and seagrasses to benefit local fisheries is also a component of our Marine Programme. Local projects. Applications for local projects should demonstrate that they will positively impact upon the marine resource they are working to protect, and could include:Development of marine protected areas or sustainable fisheries managementAddressing local causes of over-exploitation of fish stocks and other seafoodCreation of sustainable livelihoods for coastal and seafood dependent peopleSecuring fishing rights or management rights for fishery-dependent communitiesStrategic projects. We will consider applications for strategic projects that are working on addressing marine issues at a wider or international scale. These could include:Working on international or regional marine policyCampaigning for improved practices in commerceExploring different fishing practices and techniquesImproving information exchange to eradicate illegal unreported and unregulated fishing

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible applicants:We providing funding support to UK-based charities, many of whom work in close partnership with smaller local NGOs based in the countries in which they operate.If you are an organisation based outside of the UK you must have a reference who:Works for an international NGO with offices in the UKWorks for an organisation that the Foundation has previously given a grant toWorks for an organisation with offices in the UK, which has been a current or former donor to your organisationWorks for an academic institution, think tank, or as an independent consultant who is based in the UK, and which has evaluated your organisation.Ideally, the person you provide as a reference will have visited your organisation and be able to provide feedback on the quality of your work.

Ineligibility

We are not able to offer funding for:Projects with conservation of non-fish species as the sole focus (e.g. dolphins, turtles or sea birds)Projects focusing on environmental educationProjects based in freshwater fisheries (e.g. Lake Victoria)Research projectsProjects based in countries that are not secure and politically stable. We are therefore unlikely to support projects in conflict-affected areasIn addition, we only consider proposals from US-based organisations under exceptional circumstances, due to the higher availability of environmental funding in the US compared to the UK.Across the Foundation's entire grantmaking program, we will only consider one application per organisation at any one time. We therefore recommend that you chose your strongest project proposal and only submit that one.