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Blue Action Fund visits Cabo Verde
- Alice Costa & Annkathrin Sharp
- Sep 18
- 2 min read
We kicked off 2025 with an exciting week-long visit to Cabo Verde from representatives of Blue Action Fund – the principal donor behind PaMAR Project – and its Management Committee.
The visit aimed to provide the delegation with a firsthand understanding of the operational realities on the ground, offering insight into how responsibilities are shared among PaMAR’s consortium partners. During their time on site, delegates were introduced directly to implementing partners, key stakeholders, and project beneficiaries. The visit also served as a platform to evaluate progress made to date, discuss any challenges encountered, and consider potential adjustments to the workplan or strategic approach moving forward.
Tight schedules sadly precluded the mission taking in Sotavento islands, so the delegation started first in Sal before visiting São Vicente and Santo Antão, where they met partners Projeto Biodiversidade, Biosfera I, and Terrimar respectively. Each local NGO gave a warm welcome, introducing their teams, project portfolios, and accomplishments, bringing the visitors to project sites along the coast (and even out to sea) to get a real sense of conservation work in Cabo Verde.
A key focus of the visit was to connect the delegation with communities directly involved in and impacted by the PaMAR initiative. Through open dialogue with project participants and beneficiaries, the delegation had the opportunity to ask questions, listen to lived experiences, and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced in implementation. These exchanges offered valuable insight into the resilience, collaboration, and adaptability demonstrated by the consortium in navigating complex operational environments.
Frank and productive in-person discussions were held with all the consortium partners as the Blue Action delegation evaluated progress and offered feedback. Their time in Cabo Verde culminated in a Marine Conservation event held in Mindelo on January 22nd, attended by 46 representatives: from PaMAR consortium partners, donors, academic and government institutions, national NGOs, and international partners. During the event, the PaMAR project was formally presented, and we launched an initiative for comprehensive participatory mapping of current marine conservation projects in Cabo Verde. You can find this map on our new webpage, here. It will be updated regularly and is designed to be an accessible reference for anyone who needs it.
Blue Action offered the following reflection on their visit:
“Blue Action was very impressed by the dedication, experience and organisational strength of the project partners, as well as their deep and long-standing relationships with the local communities.
It is encouraging that the national government's communication regarding co-operation with local NGOs and marine protected areas is progressing positively. Continued dialogue is essential to ensure greater transparency and alignment in the implementation of PaMAR.”
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