West Africa’s coastal communities are facing rising climate threats — from coastal erosion to declining fisheries and loss of marine biodiversity. To address these challenges and unlock new economic opportunities, the West Africa Sustainable Ocean Programme (WASOP), implemented by Expertise France and funded by the European Union, has opened its 2026 Call for Proposals.
With a €10,000,000 grant envelope, this is one of the region’s most significant funding opportunities for organisations developing sustainable, inclusive and scalable Blue Economy solutions.
This call is a major opportunity for private-sector actors and social enterprises working to strengthen ocean governance, improve coastal livelihoods, and promote climate-resilient marine ecosystems across West Africa.
About the Program: West Africa Sustainable Ocean Program (WASOP)
The WASOP initiative supports the creation of a thriving, sustainable and economically viable Blue Economy sector. The programme targets West African countries working to improve:
- Sustainable management of marine and coastal ecosystems
- Climate adaptation along coastlines
- Responsible use of marine resources
- Job creation in coastal communities
- Ocean governance and cross-border collaboration
The goal is to power investments that protect the ocean while supporting businesses and livelihoods.
What the Grant Supports (Funding Focus Areas)
Applicants may propose projects in sectors such as:
- Sustainable fisheries & aquaculture
- Coastal and marine conservation solutions
- Climate-resilient ocean innovations
- Marine pollution reduction & circular economy initiatives
- Eco-tourism and coastal livelihood development
- Digital or technological tools for ocean monitoring
- Strengthening private sector participation in Blue Economy value chains
Projects must be scalable, viable, inclusive, and demonstrate long-term sustainability.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include:
- Private sector companies
- Social enterprises
- Cooperatives
- Non-profits partnering with private sector actors
- West Africa–based organisations with operations relevant to the Blue Economy
Applicants must demonstrate:
- Strong organisational capacity
- Clear impact potential in the Blue Economy
- A sustainable business or project model
- Alignment with regional ocean governance and climate resilience priorities
Benefits of the Program
✔ Access to part of the €10 million funding envelope
✔ Support to scale sustainable Blue Economy innovations
✔ Strengthening of private-sector capacity in ocean-related industries
✔ Contribution to improved climate resilience and coastal livelihoods
✔ Visibility and alignment with EU-funded regional development goals
How to Apply
📌 Deadline: January 20,2026
📌 Apply via: Official Expertise France portal.
👉 Read full details & submit your proposal:
https://pops.expertisefrance.fr/sdm/ent/gen/ent_detail.do?PCSLID=CSL_2025_OqlzYsc74U&v=1&selected=0
Ensure your proposal clearly highlights sustainability, inclusiveness, scalability, and measurable impact.
