Our Programs
We were established to fund marine and coastal conservation activities aligned with Belize’s national priorities and conservation commitments under the Blue Bond. Our funding is focused around two programs: the Grants Award Program or GAP and the Government Strategic Allocation or GSA. The GAP supports work primarily to the non-government sector for sustainable use of our coastal and marine resources, and the GSA is funding committed to the government agencies that are involved in coastal and marine resource management.
Grants Award Program (GAP)
The GAP targets non-government applicants, including but not limited to: non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, academia, local associations and private sector entities.
Projects must be aligned with Belize Fund’s four (4) Thematic Areas (TA):
- Protection for Biodiversity
- Sustainable Fisheries,
- Climate Resilience and
- Blue Business Innovation.
Government Strategic Allocation (GSA)
Under the Blue Loan Agreement various conservation commitments were made by the Government of Belize that would be implemented via support from funding generated from the Agreement. Each year at least 40% or $3.2 million Belize dollars will be invested in support of government programs to meet these conservation commitments. This is referred to as Government Strategic Allocation or GSA. These conservation commitments are defined as specific milestones and are the criteria used to determine GSA approvals, including some general conservation undertakings.
Milestone 1. Expand Biodiversity Protection Zones to 11.57% of the Ocean
Milestone 2. Designate Public Lands within the BBRRS as Mangrove Reserves
Milestone 3. Belize initiates Marine Spatial Plan process
Milestone 4. Expand Biodiversity Protection Zones to 25% of the Ocean
What We Have Achieved
As we look to the future, the Belize Fund will continue to foster partnerships, engage stakeholders, and leverage our success to strengthen Belize's coastal and marine resilience.
Significant achievements of the Blue Bonds Program to date include: