Through the Ocean Community Empowerment and Nature (OCEAN) grants programme, NIRAS supports the UK Government to deliver locally led solutions that protect marine ecosystems and reduce poverty in coastal communities. As part of the UK’s £500m Blue Planet Fund, managed by Defra, OCEAN provides targeted funding to civil society organisations and NGOs working on sustainable marine management, biodiversity protection, and resilient livelihoods.
Operating globally, the programme embeds gender equality, disability and social inclusion across proposal development, project delivery, and learning. NIRAS manages OCEAN through a rigorous, adaptive approach that ensures funding reaches capable local partners while maintaining strong due diligence, risk management, performance monitoring, and value-for-money safeguards.
The first call for applications launched on 5 February 2024 and the programme is expected to run until 31 March 2029, with up to £60m available for projects in ODA-eligible countries. Funding is offered through two pathways: Community Grants of up to £250,000 for small-scale local organisations, and Partnership Grants of £500,000–£3m for larger organisations working with locally led partners. All projects must protect, manage, or restore the marine environment while reducing poverty.
OCEAN targets in-country organisations and harder-to-reach audiences, helping localise ODA and reach groups often excluded from development funding. NIRAS’ Grant Administration function supports high-quality applications and delivery of a global Challenge Fund portfolio, placing local communities’ needs and voices at the centre while safeguarding compliance, accountability, transparency, and quality.
The Fund prioritises community-led solutions, supported by larger organisations that can strengthen capacity and scale effective approaches. Expert Committee advice, technical review, and written feedback help applicants improve and resubmit stronger proposals. The programme is managed adaptively, with regular performance review, annual document updates, due diligence for every delivery partner and risk management embedded across strategic and operational decision-making.
