BLUE GRANTS FUND
The Blue Grants Fund (BGF) provides funding to innovative Seychellois-led projects that advance marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, and other key areas within the blue economy sector.
ABOUT THE BGF
Every year in April, SeyCCAT opens a 6-week application window for the submission of project proposals under the BGF.
Our goal is to competitively grant at least US$ 700,000 per annum to support the stewardship of Seychelles’ ocean resources and the blue economy.
Grants are offered in three different sizes. Small grants are up to SCR 100,000. Medium grants go up to SCR 1 million, and large grants are up to SCR 2 million. Medium and large grants follow a two-step application process.
Note: Applications are currently closed
FAQS
We aim to undertake a first review of all new concept note applications (small-medium and large grants) within 2-3 months of submission. It could take up to 6 months between the submission of an application and a final decision, so please consider this when submitting an application.
Yes, you can submit more than one proposal as a lead applicant. However, for each specific RFP, we will only consider funding a maximum of one project per organisation. It is possible you could have more than one active SeyCCAT-funded project, but they would have been awarded through different RFPs. If you present SeyCCAT with a proposal in collaboration with other organisations, and you are the lead organisation, you are eligible to be a non-lead partner on other submissions for the same RFP.
SeyCCAT will only invest in applicants that can demonstrate adherence to the laws of Seychelles. Our due diligence policy requires us to screen applicants and so before applying to SeyCCAT you should check that you are able to satisfy our screening criteria. Before we enter into a grant agreement with any potential project partner we will request: ASSOCIATIONS:
Proof of organisations / associations certificate of registration (including names of officers of the association);
A certified (signed) copy of your most recent audited accounts (i.e. the year preceding your application), which is required to be submitted to the Registrar [1] by the 31st March each year); and,
A certified (signed) copy of the minutes of proceedings held at the most recent general meeting.
CITIZENS:
A copy of your NIN / identity card; and,
A certified (signed) copy of your police record (this must be a new issue).
BUSINESSES:
A certified (signed) copy of your most recent audited accounts (i.e. the year preceding your application);
Business Registration evidence (including articles of incorporation, particulars of directors, and;
The option of a certificate of good standing.
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES:
A certified (signed) copy of your most recent audited accounts (i.e. the year preceding your application); and,
Sector development strategy document.
PARASTATALS:
A certified (signed) copy of your most recent audited accounts (i.e. the year preceding your application); and,
Organisational strategy document.
A variety of exclusions exist – such as Government administrative or operating costs, large capital purchases, debt servicing – please consult the application guidelines for full details of exclusions.
Costs for all budget line items are examined by the Blue Grants Fund committee and decisions are based on realistic and justifiable budgets to deliver the work plan. At present we do not set upper limits (value or percentage of total budget) for individual budget lines such as salaries, external consultants or equipment. We evaluate projects on a case-by-case basis and we recognise that individual organisations and their proposed projects have unique budget needs and challenges. Final awards may be subject to negotiation with the SeyCCAT Secretariat.
Overhead and Management fees may be applied by the proposer but may not be more than more 10% of the total grant.
Yes, we expect projects to be able to articulate how they will contribute to the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), as well as the international Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and targets, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Aichi targets.