EU pumps in Sh3.5 billion to support blue economy

Go Blue project being implemented through an economic bloc formed by the six coastal counties  
The Go Blue environment covers 12 areas of conservation and sustainable use of coastal urban and marine environments, whose intervention is aimed at protecting coastal ecosystems, improving waste management and creating jobs.

The European Union (EU) is pumping Sh3.5 billion in blue economy projects in the six coastal counties. The Go Blue project – implemented through the Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani (JKP), the economic bloc formed by the six counties – has called for proposals for the multi-billion-shilling project.

Entrepreneurs and community-based organizations invited to submit proposals for the grants should be involved in blue economy, tourism and cultural heritage projects in Kwale, Mombasa, Taita Taveta, Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu counties.

The Go Blue programme has three components of Go blue growth worth Sh788 million (euros 6,250,007.5) which cover skills and value chains, fisheries and agriculture, and cultural and heritage tourism.

The Go Blue environment covers 12 areas of conservation and sustainable use of Coastal urban and marine environments, whose intervention is aimed at protecting coastal ecosystems, improving waste management and creating jobs in target areas.

The segment will enlist 10,000 youth and women into income generating activities in 100 areas, protect 10,000 hectares of coastal ecosystem and include another 10,000 hectares of vulnerable land-sea plans for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

A further 10,000 area hectares of potential economic and social development land will be included in the land-sea plans.

It will also establish eight innovative demonstration or replication projects related to land-sea planning in the six counties through Jumuiya innovative clubs, build two public spaces in Kilifi and Mombasa and establish one blue carbon project covering 1,000 hectares of mangrove land in Lamu.

Two solid waste recycling and collection facilities will be upgraded in Taita Taveta, one wetland will be developed and applied in Mombasa through an innovative technique and technology provided by the UN and one fish landing site will be constructed or upgraded with significant land-sea planning elements.

The Maritime Go Blue projects are aimed at enhancing maritime governance through integrated and effective maritime law enforcement hence contributing to regional and global security and creating a favourable environment for economic development.

The Portuguese Ambassador to Kenya, Luísa Fragoso, who presided over the launch of her country’s supported projects of Go Blue programme, said the initiative will spur the economy and create hundreds of jobs.

The envoy noted that Portugal, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other EU partners, seeks to support the country’s efforts to unlock marine resources.

Comoes Cooperacao Portuguesa (Portuguese International Cooperation) Project Manager, Paulina Oliveira, said the tourism and culture heritage project has been divided into two lots. The first lot targets Civil Society Organizations while the second one is designed for public and private sector organizations.

“We want to create employment opportunities and also to stimulate skills and value chains across sectors in tourism and cultural heritage in the coastal region. The job opportunities target groups are women and youth,” added Paulina.

Ms Alina Neacsu, Policy Advisor with th European Union Delegation to Kenya, added that the Go Blue programme aims to harness untapped in this vast economy.

“The Go Blue funding all over the Coast is euro 520,000.00 intervention. Over Sh3.5 billion that goes into creating jobs and training young people, both men and women in blue sectors, maritime security, boat industry and hospitality.  Secondly, we are also looking at harnessing the resources of the ocean and also greenhouse gas emission that Kenya has recently included in national contributions towards reducing the green gas emission,”

JKP Chief Executive Officer, Emmanuel Nzai, said the funds have been channelled through various EU missions in Kenya to support and fund innovative projects and businesses.

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) will manage funds for planning and environment projects. France handles maritime; Portuguese oversees tourism and cultural heritage; the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) handles aquaculture and vocational training; while Italy manages fisheries. (KNA)

By Galgalo Bocha