30x30 Southeast Asia Ocean Fund

The 30x30 Southeast Asia (SEA) Ocean Fund is a funders collaborative dedicated to supporting efforts to protect 30% of Southeast Asia's seas by 2030. It supports inclusive, equitable and effective conservation of ocean ecosystems, leading to positive outcomes for people and nature.

Key Objectives

This Impact Fund focuses on three objectives:

*Protected and Conserved Areas include Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), such as Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs), Indigenous and Traditional Territories (ITTs), and other relevant designations. While these designations contribute to conservation, Southeast Asian countries have not yet formalised national OECM frameworks. The Fund supports these conserved areas with the potential for future recognition as OECMs.

What We Fund

Coastal frontline communities are most vulnerable to and disproportionately impacted by climate change, biodiversity loss, natural disasters and environmental injustice. They are also crucial to the long-term success of marine conservation initiatives. Recognising their critical role, this Impact Fund prioritises projects that are led by, engage with, or meaningfully consider local communities, placing a strong emphasis on in-region leadership and capacity. This includes support for frontline communities and strong domestic civil society organisations, such as community groups and local or national NGOs. For initiatives led by in-country offices of international NGOs (iNGOs), we encourage local partners to apply or be included as lead applicants.

The Impact Fund supports a diverse range of activities with no predetermined allocation, and remains responsive to on-the-ground efforts that align with the Fund’s key objectives, including:

In situ conservation activities/measures
Monitoring, management and enforcement
Policy and planning
Capacity building
Outreach and education
Sustainable and innovative financing
Conservation-aligned livelihoods
Multi-stakeholder collaboration
Technology and innovation

Eligible activities may also include associated personnel, staffing, and operational costs. Each grant award may be up to USD 250,000, distributed over multiple years.

Eligible organisations: NGOs (including iNGOs with in-country offices but where feasible, iNGOs are encouraged to invite their local partners to submit the application directly), Research Institutions, Civil Society Organisations.
Non-eligible organisations: Individuals, Social Enterprises, Private Enterprises, Government Bodies, Religious Organisations

How to Apply

Interested organisations can submit an Expression of Interest to team@30x30fund.org on a rolling basis. English is the preferred language for applications, but applications in your local language are also welcome. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a Full Proposal.

Accountability

We are committed to ethical practice in all our ocean conservation work—including how we treat people, wildlife, and the environment. If you have a concern about the 30×30 Southeast Asia Ocean Fund, its funded initiatives, or any of our partners, we encourage you to reach out. All reports are treated with care and confidentiality. Please contact us at integrity@30x30fund.org.