Building on the success of the tailored and inclusive approach of its Call for Decade Actions No. 06/2023, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030 (‘Ocean Decade’) is tackling resource mobilization and capacity development for Decade Actions in its Call No. 07/2024.
Launched on the heels of the 2024 Ocean Decade Conference, Call for Decade Actions No. 07/2024 aims to fill gaps in funding and resources, as well as to incentivize new initiatives in capacity development as part of the Ocean Decade Capacity Development Facility to support Decade Actions. It falls during the finalization of the Vision 2030 process outcomes and focuses on galvanizing new contributions and new projects to support and strengthen the existing Decade Actions, thereby ensuring the high impact of the Ocean Decade in the coming years.
In March 2024, the Ocean Decade reached an important milestone of over 500 endorsed Decade Actions. To assure the continued growth and effectiveness of this global ecosystem, notable gaps in both in-kind and financial resource needs for current Decade Actions must be addressed. If the ambitions of the Ocean Decade are to be realized, funding for ocean science from existing and new partners will need to increase significantly.
Capacity development is also a key component of the Call to guarantee the everlasting impact of Decade Actions. Recognizing tangible disparities across geographies, generations and genders in ocean science, the Ocean Decade Capacity Development Facility supports individuals and institutions in developing their skills to deliver sustainable, science-based ocean solutions worldwide.
Structure of Call for Decade Actions No. 07/2024
Part I – Expression of Interest for Decade Programmes
The first part of the Call is dedicated to Expressions of Interest (EOI) for potential Decade Programme proposals aimed at addressing any of the 10 Decade Challenges, in line with the initial priorities identified in the Vision 2030 process.
Part II – Ocean Decade Projects
At the Project level of the Call, 26 endorsed Decade Programmes – over two-thirds of all existing endorsed Programmes – are inviting Decade Project submissions. Please see below and in Annex I of the Guidance Note for Applicants for the full list.
Part III – Ocean Decade Contributions
Decade Contributions of in-kind or financial resources are encouraged to support: (i) priority needs of any of the 23 Decade Programmes that are soliciting Decade Contributions; (ii) priority needs of Decade Collaborative Centres and Coordination Offices and support for the establishment of new structures; and/or (iii) capacity development initiatives to contribute to the Ocean Decade Capacity Development Facility.
Please see Annexes in the Guidance Note for more information.
How to take part in Call for Decade Actions No. 07/2024
Interested parties should complete and submit the relevant online “Request for Endorsement” available on the Ocean Decade Network. Please note that there are several different online forms and different deadlines depending on the type of Action you are submitting.
During the preparation of submissions, we strongly encourage interested parties to consult and, where possible, collaborate with other institutions and partners working on common issues. The Ocean Decade Network provides a platform to identify potential partners and collaboration opportunities. Further information on mechanisms to create partnerships is provided in the FAQ document accompanying this Call.
Two online Q&A sessions are planned to provide interested parties with the opportunity to ask questions on the Call for Decade Actions. These sessions will be held on:
- 30 April 2024 from 07:30 to 08:30 (UTC) – Register here
- 30 April 2024 from 13:30 to 14:30 (UTC) – Register here
For additional information or queries, please contact oceandecade@unesco.org and include “Call for Decade Actions No. 07/2024” in the subject line.
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About the Ocean Decade:
Proclaimed in 2017 by the United Nations General Assembly, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) (‘the Ocean Decade’) seeks to stimulate ocean science and knowledge generation to reverse the decline of the state of the ocean system and catalyse new opportunities for sustainable development of this massive marine ecosystem. The vision of the Ocean Decade is ‘the science we need for the ocean we want’. The Ocean Decade provides a convening framework for scientists and stakeholders from diverse sectors to develop the scientific knowledge and the partnerships needed to accelerate and harness advances in ocean science to achieve a better understanding of the ocean system, and deliver science-based solutions to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The UN General Assembly mandated UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) to coordinate the preparations and implementation of the Decade.
The 26 Ocean Decade Programmes receiving applications are:
- Global Ocean Corps and Conveyor
- Ocean Decade Research Programme on the Maritime Acoustic Environment (OD MAE)
- Early Career Ocean Professionals Programme (ECOPs)
- Ocean Voices: Building transformative pathways to achieve the Decade’s outcomes
- Marine Life 2030
- Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network (OBON)
- Empowering Women for the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
- Global Ocean Oxygen Decade (GOOD)
- Sustainability of Marine Ecosystems through global knowledge networks (SmartNET)
- The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project (Seabed 2030)
- SUstainability, Predictability and REsilience of Marine Ecosystems (SUPREME)
- Deep Ocean Observation Strategy (DOOS)
- Digital Twins of the Ocean (DITTO)
- CoastPredict – Observing and Predicting the Global Coastal Ocean
- Deltas associated with large rivers: Seeking solutions to the problem of sustainability (Mega Deltas)
- Global Ecosystem for Ocean Solutions (GEOS)
- Joint Exploration of the Twilight Zone Ocean Network (JETZON)
- Ocean Acidification Research for Sustainability (OARS)
- Global Ocean Negative Carbon Emission (Global ONCE)
- Ocean to climate Seamless Forecasting system (OSF)
- Nutrition Sensitive Marine Aquaculture in Africa (AfriMAQUA)
- Digital Deep-sea Typical Habitats (Digital DEPTH)
- Nutrient Pollution – Global Action Network (NP-GAN)
- Ocean Best Practices for the Decade
- Global Environment Monitoring System for the Ocean and Coasts (GEMS Ocean) Programme
- Ocean Decade Tsunami Programme