The MedFund’s strategy toward 2030
The MedFund’s vision for 2030 is rooted in a simple but transformative objective: to make sustainable financing a cornerstone of marine conservation across the Mediterranean.
Building on its core mission to tackle the chronic underfunding of Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), The MedFund is working to substantially grow its capital base, aiming for a €35 million endowment. This will provide stable, long-term funding to support an expanded portfolio of 40 MPAs by 2030. The strategy focuses on strengthening support for existing MPAs to ensure lasting effectiveness, while also extending financial and technical assistance to new sites, including highly protected areas. At the same time, The MedFund is fostering long term cross-border partnerships with governmental, philanthropic, and private stakeholders.
By mobilizing diverse funding sources and enhancing investment in MPA management, The MedFund aligns its activities with regional and global commitments, including the Mediterranean countries’ goal of protecting 30% of marine and coastal areas by 2030 and the broader biodiversity and climate objectives of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Spotlight on the sustainability strategy:
The MedFund provides a 15-year collaboration framework
The MedFund supports Mediterranean MPAs through its sustainability strategy, which aims to offer a structured collaboration and support framework to countries over a 15-year period. The MedFund’s support is structured into three successive phases:
- Start-up Phase (5 years): Focused on team structuring, establishing co-management and scientific monitoring, and acquiring small equipment;
- Consolidation Phase (5 years): Prioritizing essential costs and supporting the diversification of revenue sources;
- Autonomy Phase (5 years): Ensuring long-term support for effective management and financial sustainability.
After each phase, the improvement of the beneficiary MPA’s management is evaluated on site.
As supported MPAs gain management autonomy, maturity, and increased commitment from beneficiary governments, The MedFund’s financial and technical support gradually decreases.
• The MedFund renews its support for 3 MPAs in Tunisia
In Tunisia, three marine protected areas, of La Galite, Kneiss, and Kuriat islands successfully finalized initiation phase of investment. Technical and financial support over the past five years has enabled the development of co-management involving the national authorities and local NGOs.
Key achievements include:
- Establishment of dedicated management teams for each site.
- Creation of multi-stakeholder management committees.
- Strengthened scientific monitoring of conservation targets.
The management teams have regularly participated in training about site management, monitoring, and sustainable financing. Assessments over the period 2020-2025 indicate notable improvements in governance, surveillance, and scientific monitoring. Positive trends in local fisheries and community engagement further highlight the progress achieved under these co-management arrangements.