Small grants advance global ocean conservation and management equity

Threats to ocean health are not distributed equally among nations: low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are disproportionately impacted by conservation threats, which are frequently driven by high-income countries (HICs). These inequities and resultant challenges have been driven by a long history of colonialism and resource exploitation by HICs. There has been a growing recognition that these colonial practices and inequities have been perpetuated in the ocean science and conservation fields. This recognition has led to increased discourse about the need for social equity in ocean science and conservation. We explore the potential of small grants programs to address conservation challenges in a manner that promotes management equity (one component of social equity) by reviewing the characteristics and outcomes of projects funded in the first 21 years (1999–2020) of the Marine Conservation Action Fund (MCAF), a small grants program focused on global ocean conservation. Our review of MCAF provides evidence that small grants advance global ocean conservation and management equity. We highlight characteristics of grants programs that enable lasting conservation impacts: openness to risk and responsiveness to emerging conservation needs. To promote management equity in conservation science and practice, we recommend ensuring funding is accessible to project leaders and local organizations in LMICs, providing flexibility in proposal and reporting structures, supporting the design and implementation of projects that are driven by local priorities, providing support to projects that engage stakeholders in developing solutions, and seeking input from the leaders the program serves. • There is a growing recognition of the need for management equity in ocean conservation. • Access to funding is a challenge to advancing management equity. • We review projects funded from 1999 to 2020 by the Marine Conservation Action Fund. • Our review shows that small grants advance ocean conservation and management equity. • We provide recommendations for more equitable and participatory funding approaches.