Protecting Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas: The MedFund Launches its 2026 Call for Interest
As the international community aims to protect 30% of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030 under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the focus is no longer solely on creating new protected areas, but also on their ability to be managed effectively and sustainably. In this context, the environmental trust fund The MedFund has launched its 2026 call for interest in favor of management and co-management structures of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Mediterranean.
Eligible Countries and Objectives
This new edition is addressed to organizations operating in Albania, Algeria, Croatia, Egypt, Greece, Lebanon, Morocco, Montenegro, Tunisia, and Turkey. The objective is to provide them with technical support and financial assistance to permanently strengthen the management of these areas.
Eligibility Criteria
The program targets officially created or upcoming MPAs with a validated management plan or equivalent guidance document and a dedicated management team. Non-governmental organizations must also attach a letter of approval from the relevant national authorities.
Addressing the Funding Gap
Beyond the creation of new protected areas, several international organizations emphasize that the lack of permanent funding remains one of the main obstacles to their effective management. Needs include human resources, surveillance of protected areas, scientific monitoring of ecosystems, infrastructure maintenance, and awareness-raising actions. It is precisely these operating expenses that The MedFund focuses on to ensure the continuity of management activities.
Grant Allocation
The granted subsidies can finance human resources, surveillance and control operations, scientific monitoring, equipment maintenance, communication and governance actions, as well as initiatives related to climate change adaptation and gender equality integration in MPA management.
Application Process
The call for interest takes place in two stages. The first phase, dedicated to expressions of interest, is open until July 31, 2026. Pre-selected structures can then benefit, upon request, from The MedFund's technical support to prepare their complete application before the closure of the second phase, set for October 2, 2026.
About The MedFund
Created in 2015, The MedFund is an environmental trust fund dedicated to the sustainable financing of marine protected areas in the Mediterranean. It supports the managers of these areas to contribute to the preservation of marine biodiversity and the strengthening of Mediterranean ecosystem resilience.
