Mombasa, Kenya – The High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC for N&P) announced today the launch of its second cycle of the Rapid Deployment Mechanism (RDM) at the 11th Our Ocean Conference.
The RDM provides fast, flexible grants ranging from USD $25,000 to $50,000 to support developing member countries of the HAC for N&P in advancing implementation of Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (K-M GBF), commonly known as the global “30×30” target. With less than five years remaining to achieve the goal of effectively conserving and managing at least 30 percent of the world’s land, inland waters, coastal areas, and oceans by 2030, the need for catalytic, early-stage funding has never been greater.
This 2026 RDM cycle builds on the successful launch of the tool in 2025 and reflects lessons learned from the inaugural round of grants.
“As a grantee, the grant is advancing grassroots multilateral work through a twin approach: from a people perspective, Chemichemi Foundation has been facilitated to onboard persons with disabilities in implementing the Geographic Information System (GIS) for Conservation Areas, Mombasa County. Moreover, from a planetary approach, the grant will support the County Government of Mombasa in accessing data-driven insights into mangrove landscape, providing validated observations and guiding site-level management of mangrove restoration by establishing a centralized data sharing platform for mangrove conservation. This goes along well to fortify the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry realize the National 30×30 conservation target.” Said Nancy Marangu, the Executive Director of the Chemichemi Foundation from Kenya.
The RDM is being made possible thanks to the support of The Earthshot Prize, following the coalition’s recognition as a 2024 Earthshot Prize Winner in the “Revive Our Oceans” category. Additional support for the 2026 funding cycle is being provided by the BA Better World Community Fund, reflecting growing confidence among partners in the RDM’s ability to deliver tangible conservation outcomes and accelerate progress toward the global 30×30 target.
“We’re incredibly grateful to our customers and colleagues for their generosity and support of The Earthshot Prize and HAC for N&P,” said Carrie Harris, Director of Sustainability, British Airways. “Together, we’re proud to be able to support vital global marine protection and conservation projects.”
“The RDM has already demonstrated, through its first round, the significant impact it can deliver in supporting HAC countries to advance the implementation of the 30×30 target. We are proud to launch the second round at this conference, which is particularly meaningful, as it is the first time this gathering is being held in Kenya and on the African continent. We are also especially pleased that Kenya was among the first ten grantees of the RDM, highlighting its early leadership and commitment to this effort.” Said Rita El Zaghloul, Director of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People
Demonstrating Early Impact Across Four Continents
The first cycle of the RDM, launched at the previous Our Ocean Conference in Busan, Korea, awarded grants to ten (10) developing HAC for N&P member countries, announced during the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025 in New York. Projects are supporting actions ranging from the designation of Ghana’s first Marine Protected Area and the development of a national 30×30 roadmap in the Maldives, to the recognition of marine and terrestrial OECMs in Peru and Thailand, the first World Heritage site in the Cook Islands, wetland conservation in Madagascar, community forest protection in Burkina Faso, improved conservation planning (GIS) in Kenya and Colombia, and restoration of critical biodiversity areas in Malawi.
Together, these projects demonstrate how catalytic grants can help countries translate ambition into action and accelerate progress toward the global 30×30 target.
“International partnership is turning ambition into action for our planet. The success of the first Rapid Deployment Mechanism shows just how transformative targeted funding can be to drive real progress, from the creation of Ghana’s first Marine Protected Area to stronger ocean conservation planning across multiple regions.
This next round builds on that momentum, empowering countries to take decisive action to protect and restore our ocean, strengthen marine protected areas, and deliver on our share commitment to the global 30×30 target.” Said Minister Emma Hardy, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Water and Flooding at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Building on Lessons Learned
Following the first RDM cycle, the HAC for N&P Secretariat and its International Steering Committee members reviewed the application process and refined the application form to provide clearer guidance, more direct responses, and a better demonstration of how proposed activities contribute to Target 3.
This new cycle will focus on three priority areas where catalytic investments can accelerate 30×30 implementation:
- Marine Conservation (MPAs) – including the establishment or expansion of marine protected areas, biodiversity assessments, policy development, data collection, and conservation planning.
- Marine and Terrestrial OECMs – including the identification and recognition of new OECMs, expansion of existing conserved areas, and development of enabling policy and legal frameworks.
- Management Effectiveness – including activities that strengthen planning, governance, stakeholder engagement, monitoring, resource mobilization, and conservation outcomes in protected and conserved areas.
Catalytic Funding for Greater Impact
The RDM responds to a clear need from developing member countries for fast, flexible funding that bridges early conservation planning and larger-scale finance.
By supporting foundational activities such as biodiversity assessments, stakeholder engagement, management planning, policy development, and OECM recognition, the RDM helps unlock further investment and accelerate progress toward national biodiversity commitments.
Early results from the first cohort of grantees are expected to continue to demonstrate the value of rapid-response conservation finance and to help attract additional partners to replenish RDM funding.
Applications for the 2026 funding cycle are now open.
For more information on eligibility requirements, application procedures, and deadlines, please visit the HAC for Nature and People website.
“The RDM has already demonstrated, through its first round, the significant impact it can deliver in supporting HAC countries to advance the implementation of the 30×30 target. We are proud to launch the second round at this conference, which is particularly meaningful, as it is the first time this gathering is being held in Kenya and on the African continent. We are also especially pleased that Kenya was among the first ten grantees of the RDM, highlighting its early leadership and commitment to this effort.” Said Rita El Zaghloul, Director of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People
– ENDS –
Notes to Editors
About the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People
The High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC for N&P) is an intergovernmental coalition of 124 countries working to support the implementation of the global goal of effectively conserving and managing at least 30 percent of the world’s land, inland waters, coastal areas, and oceans by 2030.
About the Rapid Deployment Mechanism
The Rapid Deployment Mechanism is a grant-making initiative of the HAC for Nature and People that provides fast, flexible financing to developing-country members to accelerate the implementation of Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Grants ranging from USD $25,000 to $50,000 support catalytic activities that can unlock larger-scale conservation outcomes and financing opportunities.