CMS Community-Led Conservation Small Grants

The CMS Community-Led Conservation Small Grants initiative was established under the Dugong MOU to support locally led actions addressing threats to dugongs and seagrass ecosystems throughout the species' range. Dedicated Small Grants Schemes have been implemented since 2021, building on earlier support for community-based conservation under the Dugong MOU. 

The initiative provides targeted financial and technical support to small-scale projects implemented by local organizations, government agencies, community groups, and conservation practitioners working directly with coastal communities.  

 

Background  

Since its entry into effect in 2007, the CMS Dugong MOU has promoted coordinated international action for the conservation of dugongs and their seagrass habitats throughout the species’ range. Community participation and locally led conservation approaches form an integral component of the Dugong MOU Conservation and Management Plan. 

Early mechanisms providing small-scale support for implementation were discussed during the First Meeting of Signatories to the Dugong MOU (MOS1) in 2010 as part of efforts to support priority conservation actions by Signatory States during the 2010 - 2011 period. 

Community-based conservation approaches were subsequently strengthened through the UNEP/GEF Dugong and Seagrass Conservation Project (2015 - 2019), which supported national and local conservation initiatives across seven project countries. 

Building on these experiences, dedicated CMS Community-Led Conservation Small Grants schemes were launched in 2021 and 2023 to support locally led dugong and seagrass conservation initiatives across Dugong MOU Range States. 

 

Objectives 

The Community-Led Conservation Small Grants initiative aims to: 

  • support community-led conservation actions addressing direct threats to dugongs and seagrass habitats;  

  • strengthen the participation of coastal communities in marine conservation and natural resource management;  

  • improve local conservation knowledge and monitoring capacity; and  

  • promote sustainable livelihood approaches compatible with the conservation marine ecosystem.  

     

2021 Small Grants Scheme 

In April 2021, the Dugong MOU Secretariat launched a call for concept notes to support projects valued at up to USD 25,000 that focused on community-led dugong and seagrass conservation activities.  

The 2021 scheme prioritized projects contributing to one or more of the following areas:  

  • participatory research and primary data collection, including monitoring; 

  • conservation actions, management frameworks and policy support; 

  • development of business models supporting coastal communities and marine conservation; and  

  • development of communication tools and implementation of awareness-raising activities.  

Eligibility was open to government agencies and non-governmental organizations operating within dugong range states and maintaining established relationships with local stakeholders and coastal communities. The selected projects commenced implementation in September 2021. 

 

2023 Small Grants Scheme 

In February 2023, the Dugong MOU Secretariat launched a new Small Grants Scheme supporting projects valued at up to USD 40,000.  

The 2023 scheme maintained its emphasis on community-led conservation initiatives and focused on three principal areas of intervention: 

  • participatory research and monitoring;  

  • conservation actions, management measures, and policy frameworks; and 

  • development of business models supporting both coastal livelihoods and marine conservation objectives.  

The initiative was open to non-governmental organizations, governmental agencies and small private-sector entities operating within eligible countries and demonstrating established engagement with local communities. Selected projects commenced implementation during 2023.  

 

Community-Led Conservation Approach 

The Small Grants initiative recognizes the central role of coastal communities in the conservation of dugongs and seagrass ecosystems and promotes approaches that integrate biodiversity conservation with local socio-economic priorities.  

Particular emphasis is placed on strengthening local stewardship, improving knowledge of dugongs and seagrass ecosystems, and supporting sustainable resource-use practices in coastal and marine environments. By supporting locally designed and implemented activities, the initiative helps ensure that conservation interventions respond to local priorities, knowledge and circumstances. 

 

Contribution to the Dugong MOU 

The Community-Led Conservation Small Grants initiative contributes directly to the implementation of the Dugong MOU Conservation and Management Plan, particularly in relation to community participation, research and monitoring, awareness-raising, habitat conservation and sustainable livelihood development. 

The initiative also demonstrates the important role of locally led, scalable conservation initiatives in supporting the long-term conservation of dugongs and seagrass ecosystems across the Dugong MOU Range States.  

Further Information 

Further information on the Small Grants projects and implementing partners is available through: