Photographies by The Ocean Agency
The MAR+Invest initiative is a blended finance mechanism that aims to invest in market solutions that contribute positively to the health and resilience of coral reefs and its reef-dependent communities in the countries of the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR): Mexico (in the state of Quintana Roo), Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras.
The initiative, implemented through a strategic alliance of organizations, received funding from the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) and includes the Mesoamerican Reef Fund (MAR Fund), the Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature (FMCN)/Sureste Sostenible (SS), Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative (HRI), and New Ventures/VIWALA.
Photographies by The Ocean Agency
The Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) region encompasses the largest coral reef in the Atlantic, and is part of the interconnected system of coastal habitats and currents that extends throughout the wider Caribbean. Its coastline stretches for 1,000 kilometers from the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico to the Bay Islands in Honduras, passing through Belize and Guatemala.
It is home to some of the world’s most stunning beaches and vibrant waters, with an astonishing array of over 500 known fish species, some of the largest remaining populations of manatees and sea turtles, possibly the largest known aggregation of whale sharks, and valuable concentrations of mangroves, sea grass, and coral reefs.
Photography by The Ocean Agency
However, according to the 2022 Report Card developed by HRI, 44% of the reef is in poor condition, and 31% is considered in critical stage.
We believe that empowering market solutions that have a positive and scalable impact in the MAR is key to its conservation and restoration. By providing financial support and capacity building to reef-positive business solutions, along with a strong monitoring and evaluation of impacts, we can contribute to a sustainable ocean-based economy in the MAR that impacts positively to the health and resilience of coral reef ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.
MAR+Invest aims to attract commercial capital to the region and address the main threats to the MAR’s coral reefs, such as the lack of wastewater and solid waste treatment, overfishing, and climate change.
Coordination of the MAR+Invest initiative and technical assistance for portfolio and pipeline.
Develop financial mechanisms with investors and donors to manage risk, close early-stage capital gaps and secure financing for all stages of enterprise development.
An incubation program focused on capacity-building for leaders in the region to support ideas and early stage businesses, aimed at creating a network of entrepreneurs with a positive impact on the MAR.
An acceleration programme that supports the growth of early-stage and established companies with a positive impact on the MAR, through tailored training and facilitating access to financial solutions.
Monitor and evaluate coral positive impact generated by the market solutions, in 18 key priority sites of the MAR and based on selected project locations.
Photography by The Ocean Agency
We look for innovative market solutions to protect, conserve and restore the Mesoamerican Reef region. If you have a solution, apply to our call for proposals!
Press Release March 2023 MAR+Invest launched the first call for proposals for…
Press Release May 31st, 2023 The MAR+Invest initiative, supported by the Global…
MAR+Invest Acceleration Programme Launch Event MAR+Invest Acceleration Programme Launch Event Yabanex Batista,…
