The Hifadhi Blu Programme (Swahili for “Conserve Blue”) is a transformative initiative spearheading marine conservation in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region. Jointly implemented by WIOMSA, WIOMPAN, Advanced Conservation Strategies (ACS), and the Minderoo Foundation, the programme aims to strengthen the resilience and management of Ocean Conservation Areas (OCAs), including Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs), and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs). This initiative is critical to meeting the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s Target 3: protecting 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030.
Addressing Key Challenges in Coastal Conservation
Despite being biodiversity hotspots and vital to millions of livelihoods, coastal zones in the WIO are underfunded, with only 10% of marine protected areas located in these regions. Challenges such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, stakeholder conflicts, and resource limitations hinder effective management. Hifadhi Blu addresses these gaps with a collaborative systems approach (CSA), integrating ecological, social, and economic dynamics to foster sustainable solutions.
A Holistic Strategy for Change
Over the next three years, Hifadhi Blu will invest $3.5 million across 16 sites using a cohort-based model. Core activities include participatory training sessions, targeted funding for impactful interventions, and peer exchanges to enhance skills and knowledge. The CSA framework supports stakeholders in identifying critical challenges, designing high-leverage interventions, and tracking outcomes to ensure measurable progress.
Conceptual Meeting: Aligning Goals and Methodologies
The inaugural Hifadhi Blu Conceptual Meeting in November 2024 brought together experts, including the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), to refine CSA tools and establish grantee selection criteria. The engagement with KWS provided a unique opportunity to ground the theoretical elements of the CSA framework in practical application. Mombasa Marine Park and Reserve (MMPR) was chosen as a test case due to its urban adjacency and the associated management complexities, such as pollution, overlapping resource demands, and conflicting stakeholder interests.
By prioritizing capacity-building, stakeholder engagement, and adaptive management, the Hifadhi Blu Programme sets a new standard for coastal resilience, ensuring both ecological integrity and community well-being.
Application Process
The application process is divided into three stages:
- Submission of a Concept Note: Applicants must submit a concise concept note (maximum 5 pages) outlining their proposed project.
- Full Proposal Submission: Shortlisted applicants will receive guidance to develop a detailed full proposal.
- Interviews: Finalists will participate in interviews to finalize the grantee cohort.
The first stage of the Hifadhi Blu application process, a call for concept notes, will go live by mid-December 2024. Potential applicants are encouraged to visit the Hifadhi Blu website for further details on the application process and timeline.
To support applicants, an introductory webinar will be hosted shortly after the call opens. This webinar will guide potential grantees through the application process, providing clarity on the programme’s goals, the submission requirements, and tips for crafting strong proposals.
Applications can be submitted in English or French via the WIOMSA grants portal. For additional guidance, applicants may contact the programme team at secretary@wiomsa.org or deidre@wiomsa.org, using the subject line “Hifadhi Blu.”
Attachment: Hifadhi Blu