Call for Decade Actions No. 08/2024 now open: Mobilizing Initiatives for Ocean Sustainability

The UN Ocean Decade has officially launched its Call for Decade Actions No. 08/2024. This initiative invites organizations and stakeholders from diverse sectors to submit proposals aimed at addressing critical gaps in ocean science and knowledge, focusing on coastal resilience, society’s relationship with the ocean, and the ocean-human health nexus. Rooted in the outcomes of the Vision 2030 process, the new Call for Decade Actions aims to mobilize new projects and reinforce existing actions within the Ocean Decade framework. It comes at a pivotal time, as the Ocean Decade seeks to build momentum ahead of significant biodiversity and climate negotiations scheduled for 2024. The Call is strutctured in four parts: Part I – Ocean Decade Programmes The scope of the Call covers Programmes that contribute to the achievement of one or more of the following Ocean Decade Challenges:

• Ocean Decade Challenge 6 – Increase community resilience to ocean and coastal risks
• Ocean Decade Challenge 10 – Restore society’s relationship with the ocean
• The ocean-human health nexus

Deadline: 31 January 2025, 23.59h UTC Part II – Expression of Interest for Decade Programmes Additionally, the Ocean Decade is soliciting Expressions of Interest for Decade Programme proposals that address any Decade Challenges not covered in Part I, in line with priorities outlined in the Barcelona Statement and the “Ambition, Action, Impact: The Ocean Decade Pathway to 2030” report. Deadline: 10 November 2024, 23.59h UTC. Part III – Ocean Decade Projects At the Project level, 29 endorsed Decade Programmes – over two-thirds of all existing endorsed Programmes – are inviting Decade Project submissions.  Deadline: 31 January 2025, 23.59h UTC. Part IV – Ocean Decade Contributions Decade Contributions of in-kind or financial resources are encouraged to support:

• Priority needs of the endorsed Decade Programmes participating in this Call;
• Priority needs for Decade Implementing Partners to support a Community of Practice for Challenge 3 – Sustainably nourish the global population;
• Capacity development initiatives to contribute to specific needs of the Ocean Decade Capacity Development Facility.

Interested parties can take part in the Call by completing and submitting a “Request for Endorsement” through the Ocean Decade Network. Various online forms are available, each with distinct deadlines based on the type of action being proposed. The Ocean Decade encourages collaboration among institutions and stakeholders to foster innovative partnerships. To support applicants, two virtual Q&A sessions will be held on November 29, 2024, providing further insights into the Call and answering questions from potential participants.

• First Session: 07:30 – 08:30 UTC
• Second Session: 13:30 – 14:30 UTC

As the Ocean Decade continues to expand its initiatives, the launch of the Call coincides with the release of the flagship report “Ambition, Action, Impact: The Ocean Decade Pathway to 2030.” This strategic roadmap identifies essential priorities for achieving the Decade’s challenges and mobilizing collaborative efforts toward ocean sustainability. More information can be found here.