Preparing budgets and mobilising funding
From 20 to 22 October 2026, Débora Gutierrez and Natali Santos, from the University of the Azores (UAc), delivered Module 6 – Financial Management of Marine Protected Areas in Praia, Santiago Island. The module addressed two key topics: the preparation of annual budgets and financing and resource plans and the identification and mobilisation of funding opportunities. Benalsy Varela, from Fundação Maio Biodiversidade (FMB), also participated in the training, bringing the perspective of another Macaronesia Demo Site partner to this collaborative capacity-building initiative.
Through practical discussions and knowledge exchange, participants explored approaches to financial planning that can support the effective and long-term management of MPAs. The sessions highlighted the importance of identifying sustainable funding sources, allocating resources according to management priorities, and developing financial plans that respond to the operational needs of protected areas.
Building capacity and connections across sectors
The training was organised through the continued collaboration between the Macaronesia Demo Site partners and local initiatives, including PaMAR – Strengthening Marine Conservation in Cabo Verde, led by Fauna & Flora, and the Management of Threats to Marine Ecosystems project, coordinated by the National Directorate for the Environment (DNA). The joint effort also involved Fundação Maio Biodiversidade (FMB), with support from the Government of Cabo Verde and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), alongside the other partners involved in the training programme.
This activity forms part of the broader capacity-building pathway developed to strengthen the technical and practical skills of MPA managers, while promoting cooperation between scientific institutions, conservation organisations and public authorities. By addressing the financial dimension of marine conservation, the programme supports efforts to translate management objectives into feasible plans backed by appropriate resources.
The completion of this capacity training represents another step in the BLUE CONNECT Macaronesia Demo Site’s commitment to promoting effective, collaborative and sustainable MPA management in Cabo Verde. Strengthening financial planning and funding strategies is essential to ensuring that conservation measures can be implemented consistently and that the region’s valuable marine and coastal ecosystems are protected over the long term.
