Term of Reference Feasibility Assessment of Regional Long-term Financing Mechanisms for the CTI-CFF to Advance Self-Reliance and Counter IUU Fishing

Term of Reference 

Feasibility Assessment of Regional Long-term Financing Mechanisms for the CTI-CFF to Advance Self-Reliance and Counter IUU Fishing 

SUSTAINABLE CORAL TRIANGLE CTI-CFF Regional Secretariat 

The Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) Regional Secretariat to identify and recommend three (3) self-reliant financing models that support CTI- CFF’s long-term blue financing strategy and advance self-resilience and to counter IUU fishing with support from the U.S. Department of State - Regional Strategic Assistance.

Background 

The consultant will undertake a Feasibility Assessment of Regional Long-Term Financing Mechanisms to identify and recommend three (3) self-reliant financing models that support CTI-CFF’s long-term blue finance strategy and strengthen the region’s capacity to counter IUU fishing. This activity will build on existing financing efforts and contribute to advancing practical, scalable mechanisms that help CTI-CFF and its member countries sustain key marine conservation and fisheries management initiatives beyond the period of U.S. support. Through a structured process, the consultant will examine context-appropriate options aligned with national priorities, regional objectives, and ongoing innovations in blue financing..

This consultancy directly supports the implementation of Outputs A1.1 and A1.2 of CTI CFF Regional Plan of Action (RPOA) 2.0, which focus on strengthening innovative and long-term financing solutions for CTI-CFF’s regional priorities. It also contributes to Objective 3 of the

Sustainable Coral Triangle, which aims to enhance the availability and access to sustainable and independent blue financing.

Objective 

The assessment aims to strengthen and expand existing self-reliant financing efforts by identifying practical and scalable mechanisms that can enhance the sustainability of CTI-CFF’s marine initiatives. It will focus on financing solutions that support four (4) priority areas:

•   Marine  Protected Areas  (MPA):  mobilizing  durable  funding  for  management  and enforcement, including anti-IUU fishing measures, supporting the 2030 aim for at least

10% of CT MPAs to be sustainably financed;

•   Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM): enabling science-based, long- term practices that improve traceability, compliance, and strengthen national and regional fisheries outcomes with a focus on IUU fishing;

•   Threatened Species (TS): channelling resources to priority species and habitats in line with  regional and national strategies, including those threatened by IUU fishing; and

•   Seascapes:   facilitating   marine   spatial   planning   consistent   with   the  Seascapes framework and its national adaptations.

Scope of Work

•  Inception

•  Landscape Scan : Review of regional and global financing models, referencing existing CTI strategies and identifying key gaps.

•  Member Country & Party Engagement

•   Feasibility Assessment : At least 5 mechanisms will be assessed, and the top 3 models will be shortlisted

•  Roadmap Development

•  Finalization

4. Deliverables

1.   Inception Note