Acting to protect blue carbon ecosystems

Deadline for submission of notes of intent: 8 April 2022

Since its creation in 2006, the Artelia Foundation has been working for solidarity, society and the environment throughout the world. The Artelia Foundation is well-known for the commitment of its employees and Artelia Group retirees, who contribute their knowledge and professional skills to the various assignments of non-profit organisations and NGOs. The Artelia Foundation gives priority to supporting players working for an ecological, fair and inclusive transition.

Why this call for projects?

The environmental challenges we face in building a sustainable and resilient world are on an unprecedented scale. In June 2021, the UN's climate (IPCC) and biodiversity (IPBES) experts issued a report whose main conclusion is that climate change and biodiversity loss are inextricably linked and that these crises must be tackled together.

Healthy marine and coastal ecosystems are a prerequisite for a stable climate. By capturing and storing carbon - known as blue carbon - these ecosystems (salt marshes, coastal marshes, seagrass beds and mangroves) play an essential role. They are major carbon sinks, but also formidable biodiversity reserves .

Against this backdrop, and in the firm belief that it is vital for all stakeholders to get involved, the Artelia Foundation is launching a call for projects entitled ‘Acting to protect blue carbon ecosystems’.

Presentation of the call for projects

Through its ‘Climate Contribution’ strategic component, the Artelia Foundation has decided to participate in the collective global effort to achieve net zero by supporting so-called ‘blue carbon’ projects through the mobilisation of the technical skills of Artelia Group employees and a financial contribution.

In this way, the Artelia Foundation intends to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined by the United Nations, and more specifically :

The call for projects has a total budget of €50,000. The projects selected will be allocated an amount defined by the Artelia Foundation according to the needs and scale of each project and the number of projects financed. This financial contribution may be supplemented by technical support from Artelia employees.

Projects aimed at preserving and restoring marine and coastal ecosystems are eligible. These projects may include observation, research and awareness-raising activities if these are accompanied by concrete and measurable actions aimed at improving carbon sequestration or avoiding emissions.

Who can respond to the call for projects?

Eligibility criteria:
 

• The aim of the project must be to preserve or restore marine and coastal ecosystems.
• The organisation carrying out or sponsoring the project must be French/European.
• The organisation carrying out the project must be non-profit-making.
• The organisation carrying out the project must have been in existence for at least one year.
• The project must start within one year of being selected.

Selection criteria:
 

• Technical and financial feasibility of the project.
• Project methodology.
• Expected environmental and social impact of the project.
• Measurability of the project's environmental impact.
• Experience and local roots of the project leader.
• Potential for project spin-offs.

How to respond to the call for projects?

Notes of intent must be submitted no later than 8 April 2022.

• The pre-selection of projects will take place between 11 and 22 April 2022. Applicants shortlisted in this phase will have three weeks to provide the required additions to their application.
• Candidates shortlisted for the second selection phase will be invited to interviews, and the projects will be evaluated by a panel of experts from within and outside the Artelia Group.
• The final selection will take place in June 2022.

The note of intent must be completed and sent by e-mail to: fondation@arteliagroup.com  
Please fill in the form as accurately as possible and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.