The European Union has launched a new €10 million call for projects under the West Africa Sustainable Ocean Programme (WASOP), aiming to boost sustainable management of marine and coastal resources across 13 West African countries: Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
Backed by €59 million in EU funding, WASOP aims to aims to address major environmental and socio-economic challenges in the region, from overfishing and pollution to climate change impacts. The programme seeks to support a balance between environmental protection, economic growth, and community resilience.
Officials say the programme rests on three pillars:
- Stronger ocean governance
- A sustainable blue economy
- Better management of marine and coastal resources
Funding Details
- Total funding: €10 million
- Grant size: €1–4 million per project
- Co-financing: 75%–100% of eligible costs
Eligible applicants include NGOs, civil society organizations, foundations, associations, and non-profit networks. While applications are open internationally, the final beneficiaries of funded projects will be private sector actors operating in West Africa.
Key Dates
- Deadline for concept notes: January 30, 2026
- Information webinar: December 9, 2025 at 11:30 (UTC+1)
Registration available via Zoom https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_x6VpGdvkQYW3fzEYCjfUoA*/registration__;Iw!!IlxdEVI!B8q8Bd3LCx2qpOxvlr8ZOBRsax257wCuzfcKY3GsFeqWfePsb0XCg_WgeFkdJO9fqcuf28O7BhO7MhmC8h92cp5FuJutXk-uRJ-mWhR0tsq0hgs$
Guidelines and application materials are available on the Expertise France PDPS platform:
West Africa’s coastal communities depend heavily on the ocean for food, jobs, and trade. By investing in sustainable practices, the EU hopes to strengthen resilience against climate change, protect biodiversity, and create new opportunities for local economies.
