New grant funding will support ‘Coastal Co-ordinator’ roles in Wales, improving capacity to address marine and coastal issues at a local level.
The Coastal Co-ordinator Challenge Fund is a new grant scheme funded by Welsh Government to build capacity for local projects in coastal areas of Wales.
Guided by the Wales Coasts and Seas Partnership (CaSP Cymru), we’re seeking to fund place-based partnership working in coastal communities for the benefit of the wider marine environment.
Funding will support the placement of new ‘Coastal Co-ordinators’ to engage with key partners and stakeholders across local coastal communities to achieve positive outcomes for resilient marine ecosystems.
ABOUT THE FUND
The Coastal Co-ordinator Challenge Fund provides revenue grant funding to employ a Coastal Co-ordinator to build on existing collaborations and engage communities, businesses and institutions such as local authorities and other public bodies.
There is a total budget of between £200,000 and £220,000 a year until 31 March 2028, with an expected cost per post of around £65,000 per annum including any management costs.
Applications are made via the Local Nature Partnerships and WCVA is managing the funding and overall co-ordination.
The deadline for applications is 19 September 2025.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Any new or existing partners with an interest in supporting their coastal communities can apply. To apply you will need to contact your Local Nature Partnership Co-ordinator who will act as the lead applicant for the funding. For more information please email lnpcymru@wcva.cymru.
We will be looking for a geographical spread of posts around the coast of Wales and a range of delivery models and/or host organisations to employ the Coastal Co-ordinators.
THE ROLE OF THE COASTAL CO-ORDINATORS
Overall the Coastal Co-ordinators will provide an improved local governance system for marine and coastal issues, bringing together communities and national policy and goals.
The focus of the each Co-ordinator will be depend on local needs and priorities. A first step for the Co-ordinator will be to establish local need by mapping local links, challenges and opportunities.
Beyond this, areas of work for the Co-ordinator could include:
- Establishing (or maintaining) a local coastal partnership or forum to address identified challenges
- Developing ocean literacy and education initiatives which deliver to the framework, Y Môr a Ni
- Providing a better local and place-based evidence base for decision making
- Identifying practical marine restoration projects and alleviating pressures
FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY
Funding will be distributed via the Local Nature Partnerships (LNPs) and projects are run in partnership with the local LNP Co-ordinator. Contact your Local Nature Partnership Co-ordinator to discuss putting in an application, or email lnpcymru@wcva.cymru for further information.
You’ll also find more details in the Coastal Co-ordinator Challenge Fund guidance document.