Call for EOIs: Matching Grants Program 2026 (Philippines)

Objectives

• The objectives of the FMGP are to enhance sustainable employment and income earning opportunities of fishers’ from diversified sources along the value chain of aquaculture and fisheries,  including on-farm and off-farm livelihoods; and expand the overall value of the fisheries and  aquaculture sector within FMAS 6 and 9 through strategic and climate-resilient investments to reduce  post-harvest losses, product value additions, and expand aquaculture production, initially focusing on  establishing the Aqua-Industrial Business Corridors (ABCs). The purpose of FMGP is to support livelihood development and diversification sub-projects of fisherfolk/farmer group  dependent on fishing in municipal waters in FMAs 6 and 9 as well as aquaculture and enterprise development sub- projects within the designated ABCs designed under Component 1 of the FishCoRe Project. Complemented by public sector infrastructure investments, the FishCoRe project grants will leverage critical value chain investment in aquaculture and fisheries and improve production, handling and processing technologies, alongside related Technical Assistance (TA) for new climate-smart technology adoption and business advisory services to catalyze wider private sector and Local Government Unit (LGU) investments.
• The subproject grants are envisioned to increase women’s capacity to grow their enterprises through increased access to finance and participation in technical training and knowledge-building on relevant topics of coastal resources management (CRM), ecosystem rehabilitation, aqua-/mariculture, entrepreneurial ventures, and alternative livelihood along with business and leadership training and support to formalize female fishers’ groups participation in the fisheries value chain. Priority will be accorded to subproject proposals that are women- and Indigenous Peoples (IP)-led by giving additional scores in the appraisal and approval process. The project will also provide grants to women- owned/-led organizations to upgrade machinery and equipment required to expand their businesses and facilitate linkages for credit access and market opportunities.

Grant Windows and Target Beneficiaries

• Livelihood Grant: Enhance sustainable employment and income earning opportunities of fishers from diversified sources along the value chain of aquaculture and fisheries, including on-farm and off- farm livelihoods by funding subprojects on replacement/alternative livelihood to fisherfolk/farmer groups affected by resource management measures under FishCoRe within FMAs 6 and 9.
• Enterprise Grant: To support enterprise development sub- projects within the designated ABCs designed under Component 1 of the FishCoRe Project. Support aquaculture and enterprise development within the designated ABCs designed of the FISHCORE Project by funding sub-projects that will create business opportunities for fishers’,
  fish-farmers’ and women’s cooperatives partner with private sector, and expand the overall value of the fisheries and aquaculture sector through strategic and climate-resilient investments to reduce post- harvest losses, increase value additions, and expand aquaculture production within FMAs 6 and 9.

Funding Information

• Amount of Grant per sub-project by category of the proponent:
  • Window 1 (Livelihood Grant):
    • Micro: Up to PhP 3 million
    • Small: Up to PhP 5 million
  • Window 2 (Enterprise Grant):
    • Small: Up to PhP 10 million
    • Medium: Up to PhP 50 million

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible Beneficiaries and Proponents of Sub-projects:
  • Groups or associations of subsistence fisherfolk/farmer households, women affected by resource management measures carried out under FishCoRe/FMP within FMPs 6 and 9 are the primary beneficiaries of the sub-project grants under both W1 and W2. Duly established and accredited organizations and business enterprises of various sizes owned and operated by fishers’, farmers’ and women’s groups within FMA 6 and 9 will qualify for applying for Matching Grants under W1 and W2 as shown in Table 3 and 4. However, cooperatives and similar associations classified as small and medium enterprises (SMEs), including producer clusters within FMA 6 and 9 that registered in BFAR FishR and/or other similar legal/formal system and capable of partnering with private sector in the ABCs will be given priority for sub-project grants under W2. Groups that are not registered in one of the above systems may apply for sub-project grants but will be required to be registration compliant before receiving and grant support. Established and accredited organizations should submit registration documents, organization profile, list of members, constitutions and by-laws at the time of submitting expression of interest/sub-project proposal.
• Eligible Sub-project:
  • The FMGP has been designed to be flexible and responsive to the socioeconomic needs of the fisherfolks, who are the grant program’s direct beneficiaries as well to strengthen the fisheries management, environmental and ecosystem sustainability, and climate change resilience of the human and natural systems within the FMAs 6 and 9. Subprojects under W1 and W2 are expected to promote livelihood development and diversification, and entrepreneurships, respectively, amongst eligible beneficiaries defined in Section 5.1. Subproject activities should generally be in line/not inconsistent with the Fisheries Management Plan developed under FishCoRe (FishCRRM 1.1).

For more information, visit BFAR.