Call for Proposals for the Sustainable Management of Caribbean OCTs’ Natural Capital

The European Commission Delegation to Barbados has launched a restricted two-stage call for proposals EuropeAid to strengthen sustainable, nature-based and climate-smart management of natural capital across seven Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories, organized in two lots: sustainable and resilient food systems, and biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration. The total indicative budget is €20,850,000 with individual grants between €6,500,000 and €10,425,000 and the EU may finance up to 95% of eligible costs (minimum 5% co-financing required). Eligible lead applicants and co-applicants are non-profit legal persons (NGOs, public sector operators, international organisations) effectively established in an EU Member State or in one of the eligible OCTs, and actions must be implemented primarily in Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Saint Barthélemy, Sint Eustatius or Sint Maarten. Submission requires prior PADOR/Participant Register registration and concept notes via the PROSPECT portal by 28 August 2026 (16:00 Brussels time), with invited full applications submitted at stage two per the call guidelines.

What it funds

Focus and objectives

Grants to implement nature‑based, climate‑smart and circular economy measures in the seven EU‑associated Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Saint Barthélemy, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten). Two thematic objectives: resilient food systems (regenerative agriculture, aquaculture, local value chains, water management) and biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration (marine and terrestrial ecosystems, sargassum management and valorisation). Regional cooperation, community empowerment, inclusion and innovation are cross‑cutting priorities.

Who can apply:Non‑profit legal entities (e.g. NGOs), public sector operators and eligible international organisations effectively established in an EU Member State or in the eligible OCTs listed in the call; co‑applicants, affiliated entities, associates and recipients of financial support allowed under conditions in the Guidelines Guidelines for applicants.

Funding envelope and grant size:Total indicative EU budget €20,850,000. Two lots (each €10,425,000 indicative). Individual grants: minimum €6,500,000 — maximum €10,425,000. EU contribution may cover up to 95% of eligible costs; minimum co‑financing 5% required ¹.

1. 1Step 1: Concept notes (mandatory). Deadline 28 August 2026, 16:00 Brussels time.
2. 2Step 2: Invited full applications. Full application deadline indicated in invitation (indicative: 15 December 2026).
3. 3Expected timetable: concept note results mid‑October 2026; contract signature from April 2027; actions to start in 2027.

Eligible actions:24–42 months; examples include regenerative agriculture pilots, resilient aquaculture, watershed and sanitation measures, protected area management, sargassum monitoring and valorisation pilots, capacity building, inclusive finance and market development. Financial support to third parties (normally up to €60,000 per third party) is allowed under strict rules in the Guidelines.

Footnotes

1. 1Full application rules, eligibility, evaluation and templates are in the Guidelines for Applicants and annexes (Grant application forms, Budget, Logframe, Standard Grant Contract). See the call page and the Guidelines document Guidelines for applicants.

Opportunity summary and key facts

This is an EU grant call managed by the European Commission (contracting authority:EU Delegation in Barbados). Title: Call for Proposals for the Sustainable Management of Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories' Natural Capital. Call identifier: EuropeAid (Prospect ID 186288PROSPECTSEN). Total indicative budget: €20,850,000. Two lots are funded (Lot 1: Sustainable and resilient food systems; Lot 2: Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration). Deadline for concept notes: 28 August 2026, 16:00 Brussels time. Implementation mode: direct management (EU Delegation in Barbados). Activities planned to start in 2027. Applicants must submit online via PROSPECT and register in PADOR/Participant Register. See Guidelines for grant applicants and annexes provided on the F&T Portal and via the call page Call page prospect details.

Total and per-lot EU budget:Total available: €20,850,000. Indicative allocation: Lot 1 (Sustainable and resilient food systems): €10,425,000. Lot 2 (Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration): €10,425,000. Any single grant must be between €6,500,000 (minimum) and €10,425,000 (maximum). The EU contribution may cover up to 95% of eligible costs; minimum co-financing by beneficiary is 5%.

Objectives, priorities and geographic scope

Global objective:Contribute to sustainable, nature-based and climate-smart economic development and food and nutrition security systems in the seven Caribbean OCTs, and to protection, restoration and sustainable management of their natural capital including terrestrial and marine biodiversity. Two specific objectives guide funded actions: Specific Objective 1: Resilient food systems and food sovereignty (regenerative agriculture, aquaculture, nature-based solutions, value chains). Specific Objective 2: Healthy ecosystems, management of sargassum and circular economy (ecosystem protection and restoration, invasive species monitoring and valorisation, pollution reduction, nature-positive fisheries). Cross-cutting priorities include water resources management and sanitation, regional cooperation and policy alignment, community empowerment and cultural integration, awareness and education, innovation and digitalisation.

Primary geographic coverage (where actions shall be carried out primarily):Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Saint Barthélemy, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten (the seven Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories – OCTs). Where relevant and justified, activities can additionally involve neighbouring Caribbean states and EU Outermost Regions for regional cooperation, provided primary benefits accrue to the seven OCTs.

Eligible applicants and actors

Lead applicant eligibility:legal persons, non-profit making, including non-governmental organisations, public sector operators and international (inter-governmental) organisations as defined in Article 159(1) of the Financial Regulation, effectively established in an EU Member State or in the eligible countries/territories covered by the DOAG listed in the Guidelines (Aruba NL; Bonaire NL; Curaçao NL; Saba NL; Saint Barthélemy FR; Sint Eustatius NL; Sint Maarten NL). International organisations are exempt from the place-of-establishment requirement. The lead applicant must be directly responsible for preparation and management of the action and not act as intermediary. Co-applicants must satisfy the same eligibility criteria; affiliated entities must demonstrate a structural legal or capital link (control or membership) with the applicant. Associates, contractors and recipients of financial support to third parties (FSTP) have defined roles under the call. Pillar-assessed entities can apply where they meet the categories of eligible applicants and place-of-establishment rules; pillar-assessed status alone does not automatically make an entity eligible. Full eligibility rules and required supporting documents are in Section 2.1.1 of the Guidelines for applicants and Annexes.

Eligible action types, duration and implementation

Eligible actions must contribute to at least one specific objective and fall under the thematic priorities listed for each lot. Non-exhaustive examples include: design, piloting and scaling of regenerative agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries; integrated water resources management and sanitation projects; ecosystem protection and restoration (coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass); monitoring systems and digital tools; sargassum monitoring, valorisation and circular-economy pilots; inclusive finance mechanisms for value chains; policy and governance support; capacity building; awareness campaigns; and financial support to third parties where authorised. Action duration: minimum 24 months and maximum 42 months. Implementation contract and procurement rules for beneficiaries apply as per Annex IV of the standard grant contract.

Funding mechanism and grant conditions

Form of grant:reimbursement of eligible costs (actual costs and/or simplified cost options) or financing not linked to costs (FNLC) or a combination. Maximum EU contribution: 95% of total eligible costs; minimum co-financing by beneficiary: 5% (must be real, not in-kind). Financial support to third parties (FSTP) may be used (normally up to €60,000 per third party unless an exception is justified). Indirect costs: flat rate up to 7% of direct eligible costs (excluding project office and volunteer costs). Contingency reserve: maximum 5% of estimated direct eligible costs, usable only with prior written authorisation. Non-eligible costs include debts, provisions for losses, double-funded costs, most land/buildings purchases (except in specific conditions), currency exchange losses, in-kind contributions as co-financing (except volunteers where authorised), bonuses included in staff costs and others listed in the Guidelines.

Budget per lot — typical and required ranges:Lot 1 (Sustainable and resilient food systems): EU allocation €10,425,000. Lot 2 (Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration): EU allocation €10,425,000. Any single grant request must be at least €6,500,000 and not exceed €10,425,000. Total call envelope: €20,850,000.

1. 1Minimum grant per proposal: €6,500,000
2. 2Maximum grant per proposal: €10,425,000
3. 3Maximum EU co-financing rate: 95% of eligible costs
4. 4Minimum co-financing by applicant(s): 5% of total eligible costs

Application process, stages and templates

Application is a restricted two-stage process:Step 1: Concept note (Annex A.1) — mandatory for all applicants; Step 2: Full application (Annex A.2) by invited applicants only. Submission is online only via PROSPECT; applicants must register in PADOR and the EU Participant Register (PIC). Concept notes are administratively checked and evaluated; pre-selected applicants will receive an invitation to submit full applications. Full applications are evaluated on selection and award criteria and provisionally selected proposals undergo eligibility checks of supporting documents prior to award. The contracting authority reserves the right to sign one grant per lot or, in some circumstances, two per lot if budgetary reallocation allows.

Mandatory annexes and templates available on the call page include (non-exhaustive):Guidelines for grant applicants; Annex A.1 Concept note form; Annex A.2 Full application form; Annex B Budget (Excel); Annex C Logical Framework (Excel); Annex D Identification Forms; Annex F PADOR offline form; Annex G Standard Grant Contract (special conditions, general conditions and procurement rules); Annex H Declaration of honour; Annex L SEA-H self-evaluation questionnaire; e-Calls PADOR privacy statement. A presentation and Q&A from the information session was published. The Annexes include model narrative and financial reports, expenditure verification Terms of Reference and templates for contractual documentation. Applicants must follow the format and page limits in the concept note and full application templates.

How to apply — steps and deadlines:Step 1: Register in Participant Register (PIC) and PADOR. Step 2: Submit Concept Note online in PROSPECT by 28 August 2026, 16:00 Brussels time. Step 3: Indicative communication of concept note results by 10 October 2026. Step 4: Invited applicants submit full application by 15 December 2026, 23:00 Brussels time. Indicative notification of contracting authority decision: 15 February 2027; contract signature: 1 April 2027. Applicants should consult the call page for any timetable updates and submit questions only to delegation-barbados-call-OCT@eeas.europa.eu by the published question deadlines.

Evaluation, selection, and award

Evaluation is performed in three steps:1) Administrative checks and concept note evaluation (relevance and design scored out of 50; threshold 30 points for pre-selection); 2) Evaluation of full applications (selection criteria: financial and operational capacity of applicants; award criteria: relevance, design, implementation, sustainability, budget efficiency — final scoring out of 100; Section 1 minimum sub-score thresholds apply); 3) Verification of eligibility and submission of supporting documents for provisionally selected applicants. For actions using financing not linked to costs (FNLC), third party assessment arrangements are specified in the Guidelines and Annexes. Provisional selection yields recommended projects up to available budget and a reserve list may be maintained. Contracting authority award decisions are final subject to verification and contract preparation.

Evaluation grids (concept note and full application) and detailed scoring rules are included in Sections 2.3 and 2.3.2 of the Guidelines. Full applications must pass both selection (capacity) and award (quality) criteria. Where the coordinator is a pillar-assessed entity and awarded a grant, a contribution agreement rather than the standard grant contract may be used, with related derogations in Annex G.

Eligible applicant types (explicit)

Eligible applicant types explicitly permitted by the call include:non-governmental organisations (NGOs), public sector operators, international (inter-governmental) organisations (subject to conditions), other non-profit-making legal persons. Co-applicants and affiliated entities must meet the same eligibility criteria as lead applicants. Associates, contractors and recipients of financial support to third parties have defined roles (associates receive no funding except travel/per diems; contractors are procurement partners). The lead applicant may act individually or with co-applicant(s). Pillar-assessed entities may apply only if they fall within the eligible categories and place-of-establishment rules.

Consortium requirement

Consortiums (lead applicant + co-applicant(s)) are allowed but not mandatory. The call permits single lead applicants and/or partnerships with co-applicants and affiliated entities. If co-applicants participate they must sign the mandate in Annex A.2 and will become co-beneficiaries under the contract. Affiliated entities must sign the affiliated entity statement and can participate in implementation and incur eligible costs if they meet the affiliation criteria defined in the Guidelines.

Beneficiary geographic scope (who can apply)

Place-of-establishment requirement for lead applicants and co-applicants:applicants must be established in an EU Member State or in an eligible country/territory covered by the DOAG for this call: Aruba (NL); Bonaire (NL); Curaçao (NL); Saba (NL); Saint Barthélemy (FR); Sint Eustatius (NL); Sint Maarten (NL). International organisations are exempt from the place-of-establishment requirement. The call allows participation by entities established in an EU Member State or in the listed OCTs; the action itself must be implemented primarily in the seven Caribbean OCTs.

Target sectors and project maturity

Target sectors:agriculture and food systems (regenerative agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, processing and value chains), water resources and sanitation, biodiversity and ecosystem conservation and restoration (marine and terrestrial), invasive species management (notably sargassum management and valorisation), circular economy and pollution reduction, nature-positive fisheries, governance and policy support, education and digital innovation. Expected project maturity: implementation-ready projects (demonstration, scaling and operational implementation). Projects should present detailed actions, budgets and measurable results at concept note stage, and full technical and financial plans at full application stage. Ideal maturity: demonstration/pilot scaled to implementation, with capacity to deliver multi-year programmes (24–42 months).

Application modalities and required supporting documents

Submission is online via PROSPECT; registration in PADOR and the EU Participant Register (PIC) is mandatory. Concept note submission uses Annex A.1; full application uses Annex A.2. Required full-application supporting documents include: full Annex A.2 package (application form, budget Annex B, logical framework Annex C), legal entity documentation (statutes/articles of association), Declaration of honour (Annex H), PADOR registration or offline PADOR form (Annex F) where online registration is not possible, latest accounts and external audit report or self-declaration as required by financial capacity thresholds, proof of eligibility/establishment and other documents listed in Section 2.2.5 of the Guidelines. For grants exceeding €100,000 a contractual expenditure verification or third party assessment may apply as specified in Annexes.

Selection and award criteria (summary)

Concept note stage:administrative compliance and scoring against Relevance (20 points) and Design (30 points) for a total of 50 points; threshold is 30. Full application stage: selection criteria (financial capacity, operational capacity) and award criteria (relevance, design, implementation approach, sustainability, budget efficiency) with a maximum total score of 100. Minimum scores apply to specific sections of selection criteria; e.g. Section 1 (financial and operational capacity) must reach minimum thresholds or application will be rejected. Detailed criteria and scoring tables are in Section 2.3 of the Guidelines.

Funding type and nature of support

Primary funding type:Grant (reimbursement of eligible costs), with possible use of financing not linked to costs (FNLC) and/or simplified cost options where authorised. Nature of support to beneficiaries: monetary funding (grants) and project implementation support (contractual requirements, monitoring, visibility and potential access to further EU/global gateway investment support). The call permits financial support to third parties as part of a project design (FSTP) subject to defined rules and caps.

Application stages and timing

Number of application stages:2 (step 1: Concept note; step 2: Full application for those pre-selected). Indicative timetable: concept notes due 28 August 2026; invitations to full application around 10 October 2026; full proposals due 15 December 2026; notification of decisions around 15 February 2027; contract signing around 1 April 2027. Applicants must observe PROSPECT scheduling and IT support hours; questions to the contracting authority must be submitted by the dates specified in the Guidelines and via the official email.

Co-financing and financial requirements

Co-financing requirement:minimum 5% of total eligible costs must be co-funded by the beneficiary(ies) or other sources (cash contributions). In-kind contributions may not be treated as co-financing (except volunteers’ work where specifically allowed and subject to limits). Co-financing must be credible and consistent with applicants' financial capacity (financial checks will be applied). The EU contribution covers up to 95% of eligible costs. Minimum requested EU contribution per proposal: €6,500,000; applicants unable to meet this threshold may participate in consortia.

Success rates and likelihood of selection

The contracting authority has not published a specific success rate for this call. The call’s high minimum award size (min €6.5M) and the limited total envelope (€20.85M) imply a competitive process with likely low numbers of awards (one grant per lot is expected; a third grant per call may be possible if funds reallocated and quality/quantity of proposals permit). Applicants should therefore assume a selective process and submit high-quality, regionally relevant, technically robust and financially credible proposals.

What costs are eligible and how to budget

Eligible direct costs include staff (gross salaries and employer contributions), travel and subsistence, equipment and supplies (purchase/rental, subject to ownership/transfer rules), project office costs (where authorised), contracts for services/works/supplies, expenditure verification and evaluation, translation and visibility costs, and financial support to third parties where authorised. Indirect costs are claimable as a flat-rate not to exceed 7% of total direct eligible costs (excluding project office and volunteers’ work). Contingency reserve up to 5% of estimated direct eligible costs may be included but use requires prior written authorisation. See Annex B (Budget templates) and Annex C (Logical Framework) for the required detailed budget and activity/indicator linkage. Volunteers’ work may be declared under specific conditions and limited percentages.

Procurement, audit and control requirements

Procurement rules for beneficiaries apply (Annex IV) and beneficiaries must award contracts using procedures that ensure best value for money and compliance with nationality/origin rules and EU restrictive measures. For grants where the Coordinator requests or is required to provide a contractual expenditure verification, an approved practitioner will perform the agreed-upon procedures and produce an expenditure verification report per Annex VII. For FNLC components, a third party assessment may be required to validate reported results as part of payment approval. The contracting authority and EU audit bodies (OLAF, European Court of Auditors, EPPO) have access rights for checks and inspections per Article 16 of the general conditions; beneficiaries must retain records and supporting documents for minimum retention periods and provide originals or certified copies on request.

Other important rules and safeguards

Applicants must comply with ethics and values provisions (human rights, gender equality, zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment). Successful applicants (except natural persons, pillar-assessed entities and governments/public bodies) must complete the SEA-H self-evaluation questionnaire (Annex L) for contract award. The contracting authority may apply exclusion and recovery measures in cases of fraud, irregularities or breach. Visibility obligations must be respected and derogations for limited visibility may be negotiated in specific security-sensitive circumstances. Beneficiaries must also respect EU restrictive measures and the general regime of conditionality for protection of the Union budget Guidelines and Annexes. ¹

Practical recommendations for applicants

1. 1Register in the Participant Register (PIC) and in PADOR early; do not wait until the deadline to submit in PROSPECT.
2. 2Read the Guidelines for grant applicants and annexes in full; follow the concept note and full application templates exactly (page limits and required annexes).
3. 3Ensure financial capacity to co-finance at least 5% of the total eligible costs and demonstrate credible, auditable sources of co-financing.
4. 4Design a project with measurable indicators in the logical framework (Annex C) and ensure monitoring, evaluation and data sources are realistic and budgeted.
5. 5If proposing financial support to third parties, set selection procedures, eligibility, maximum amounts and modalities clearly in the application (Annex A.2).
6. 6Plan for contractual procurement compliance (Annex IV) and expenditure verification or third party assessment as required by thresholds and FNLC modalities.
7. 7Address cross-cutting priorities (water management, gender, inclusion, regional cooperation, innovation/digitalisation) and community engagement explicitly.
8. 8Allow sufficient time to compile statutory documentation, audits, declarations of honour and PADOR forms required at full application stage.

Categorisation answers (structured)

1. 1Eligible Applicant Types: non-profit organisations (NGOs), public sector operators, international inter-governmental organisations (subject to conditions), universities/research institutes where they are non-profit legal persons eligible under the specified eligible categories; consortia (lead applicant plus co-applicants) and affiliated entities are allowed under the rules. Private for-profit entities are not listed among lead applicant types unless they qualify under a permissible category (check Guidelines).
2. 2Funding Type: Grant (reimbursement of eligible costs), with possible use of financing not linked to costs (FNLC) or simplified cost options; financial support to third parties (FSTP) is permitted under conditions.
3. 3Consortium Requirement: single lead applicant allowed; consortium permitted (lead applicant with co-applicant(s) and affiliated entity(ies)). The call does not mandate a consortium.
4. 4Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): Applicants must be established in an EU Member State or in the eligible countries/territories covered by the DOAG: Aruba (NL), Bonaire (NL), Curaçao (NL), Saba (NL), Saint Barthélemy (FR), Sint Eustatius (NL), Sint Maarten (NL). International organisations are exempt from the place-of-establishment rule. Actions must be implemented primarily in the seven Caribbean OCTs as listed above.
5. 5Target Sector: environment and biodiversity; agriculture and food systems (regenerative agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries); water management and sanitation; circular economy and waste valorisation (including sargassum valorisation); fisheries and marine governance; climate resilience; community engagement; innovation/digitalisation; investment-readiness support.
6. 6Mentioned Countries: Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Saint Barthélemy, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten. Region: Caribbean OCTs; neighbouring Caribbean states and EU Outermost Regions may be involved where justified.
7. 7Project Stage: demonstration, implementation and scale-up of nature-based, climate-smart interventions (projects should be implementation-ready, with pilot-to-scale potential).
8. 8Funding Amount: total call €20,850,000; per-lot indicative €10,425,000; proposal requests between €6,500,000 and €10,425,000; EU contribution up to 95% of eligible costs (min 5% co-financing).
9. 9Application Type: Restricted two-stage call (open to eligible applicants as defined): Step 1 concept note (open call for concept notes), then invitation-only Step 2 full application for pre-selected lead applicants. Submission mandatory online via PROSPECT; PADOR and PIC registration required.
10. 10Nature of Support: monetary grants (financial support). Non-financial services (capacity building, technical assistance, networking) may be funded but the primary support is financial grant assistance.
11. 11Application Stages: 2 stages (1: concept note; 2: full application and supporting documents; followed by eligibility checks and award/contracting).
12. 12Success Rates: Not published in the call documents. The call’s design (large minimum grant size, limited total envelope and one contract expected per lot) implies relatively low number of awards and selective competition; no specific percentage success rate is provided.
13. 13Co-funding Requirement: yes — minimum 5% co-financing required (cash). In-kind contributions may not be used as co-financing (volunteers’ work may be treated separately under strict rules).
14. 14Templates: Application templates are provided as annexes. Key forms: Annex A.1 Concept note (cover page, summary table, 2-page description, 3-page relevance), Annex A.2 Full application (detailed description up to 18 pages, methodology, 4-page activity plan, sustainability up to 3 pages), Annex B Budget (Excel worksheets 1a/€1B/1c for cost-based and FNLC), Annex C Logical Framework (logframe matrix), Annex D Identification forms, Annex F PADOR offline registration, Annex G Standard Grant Contract (special and general conditions plus procurement rules Annex IV), Annex H Declaration of Honour, Annex L SEA-H self-evaluation questionnaire, Annex VI model Interim and Final narrative and financial reports. Use the exact annex templates published with the call; follow page limits, font and formatting rules and online submission instructions.

Comprehensive note on finance and control:The EU contribution can cover a maximum of 95% of eligible costs. Applicants must prepare detailed cost-based budgets (Annex B) and a logical framework (Annex C) that links activities to outputs, outcomes and impact. If using financing not linked to costs (FNLC), provide clear indicators, targets and third-party assessment arrangements; FNLC results and indicators marked in the logframe must correspond to the FNLC budget component and are subject to validation. Contracting authority reserves rights on budget reallocation between lots if quality or number of proposals differs from expectations. Expenditure verification and audits are required per thresholds and Annex VII; beneficiaries must keep records and supporting documents for minimum retention periods and facilitate on-site checks by the Commission and related bodies.

Final summary:This restricted EU call finances large multi-year projects (minimum €6.5M) to strengthen food systems, water and sanitation, biodiversity protection, ecosystem restoration and management (including sargassum valorisation) across the seven Caribbean OCTs. Applicants should be non-profit legal entities established in the EU or the listed OCTs (or international organisations where eligible), prepare a strong, detailed concept note and, if pre-selected, a robust full application with credible co-financing, realistic budgets and measurable logframe indicators. The call emphasizes community empowerment, regional cooperation, nature-positive approaches and alignment with the EU Global Gateway agenda. Applicants must use PROSPECT and PADOR, follow the annex templates exactly and be prepared for contractual procurement and audit requirements under the standard grant contract.

Footnotes

1. 1Full Guidelines for grant applicants, annexes, templates and the presentation/Q&A are available on the call page and in the published annexes: Presentation information session 23 June 2026; Q&A; Guidelines for grant applicants; Annexes A.1, A.2, B, C, D, F, G (standard grant contract), H and L. See call page Call page prospect details.

Overview and Strategic Objectives

The European Commission, via the Delegation to Barbados, has launched a restricted call for proposals EuropeAid to strengthen the sustainable management of natural capital in seven Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) ¹. The global objective is to contribute to sustainable, nature-based, and climate-smart economic development, food and nutrition security, and the protection of terrestrial and marine biodiversity in these territories ².

Specific Objectives:The call pursues two specific objectives: (1) Resilient food systems and food sovereignty through regenerative agriculture and aquaculture; and (2) Healthy ecosystems, sargassum management, and circular economy to restore key terrestrial and marine ecosystems ³.

Financial Allocation and Grant Size

The total indicative budget is €20,850,000. Grants must fall between a minimum of €6,500,000 and a maximum of €10,425,000 per proposal ⁴. The EU contribution covers up to 95% of total eligible costs, requiring a minimum 5% co-financing from beneficiaries ⁵.

Eligibility and Who Can Apply

Lead applicants and co-applicants must be legal, non-profit-making persons, such as NGOs, public sector operators, or international organizations ⁶. Crucially, they must be effectively established in an EU Member State or in one of the eligible Caribbean OCTs: Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Saint Barthélemy, Sint Eustatius, or Sint Maarten ⁷.

1. 1Location: Actions must be carried out primarily in the seven Caribbean OCTs.
2. 2Role: Lead applicants manage the action; co-applicants participate in design/implementation.
3. 3Affiliated Entities: Must have a structural legal/capital link with the applicant.
4. 4Associates: Can participate but receive no funding (only travel/per diem).

Key Priorities and Thematic Areas

Lot 1 Priorities:Focus on regenerative agriculture, climate-smart aquaculture, diversifying local food production, reducing reliance on imported processed foods, and integrated water resources management for food systems ⁸.

Lot 2 Priorities:Focus on protecting coral reefs and mangroves, reducing land-based pollution, managing invasive species (specifically sargassum valorization), and nature-positive fisheries management ⁹.

Cross-cutting approaches include community empowerment, regional cooperation, awareness/education, and innovation/digitalization (e.g., early-warning systems for sargassum) ¹⁰.

Application Process and Deadlines

This is a two-stage process. Stage 1 requires the submission of a Concept Note (max 5 pages) via the PROSPECT portal ¹¹. Stage 2, for pre-selected applicants, requires a Full Application including a detailed budget, logical framework, and supporting legal documents ¹².

1. 1Concept Note Deadline: 28 August 2026 at 16:00 Brussels time.
2. 2Full Application Deadline: Indicatively 15 December 2026 (date confirmed upon pre-selection).
3. 3Pre-selection Results: Indicatively 10 October 2026.
4. 4Implementation Start: 2027.
5. 5Duration: 24 to 42 months.

Registration in PADOR (Participant Register) is mandatory for all lead applicants before submitting the concept note ¹³. Questions must be submitted via email to delegation-barbados-call-OCT@eeas.europa.eu by 7 August 2026 ¹⁴.

Eligible and Non-Eligible Costs

Eligible direct costs include human resources, travel, equipment, project office costs, and visibility expenses. Indirect costs are eligible at a flat rate of up to 7% of direct eligible costs ¹⁵.

• Non-Eligible: Debts/interest, provisions for losses, land/building purchases (unless essential), currency exchange losses, staff bonuses, and contributions in kind (except volunteer work).

Footnotes

1. 1Official Call Details: EU Funding Portal
2. 2Global Objective Source: Guidelines for Grant Applicants (Section 1.2)
3. 3Specific Objectives Source: Guidelines for Grant Applicants (Section 1.2)
4. 4Financial Allocation Source: Guidelines for Grant Applicants (Section 1.3)
5. 5Co-financing Rule: Information Session Presentation (Slide 5)
6. 6Eligibility Criteria Source: Guidelines for Grant Applicants (Section 2.1.1)
7. 7Establishment Requirement Source: Guidelines for Grant Applicants (Section 2.1.1)
8. 8Lot 1 Priorities Source: Guidelines for Grant Applicants (Section 1.2, Priority 1)
9. 9Lot 2 Priorities Source: Guidelines for Grant Applicants (Section 1.2, Priority 2)
10. 10Cross-cutting Approaches Source: Guidelines for Grant Applicants (Section 1.2)
11. 11Concept Note Requirements Source: Guidelines for Grant Applicants (Section 2.2.1)
12. 12Full Application Requirements Source: Guidelines for Grant Applicants (Section 2.2.5)
13. 13PADOR Registration Source: Guidelines for Grant Applicants (Section 2.2)
14. 14Question Deadline Source: Information Session Presentation (Slide 10)
15. 15Cost Eligibility Source: Guidelines for Grant Applicants (Section 2.1.4)