Project Summary

"Blue Economy, Green Future" is a transformative initiative aimed at unlocking Zanzibar’s vast coastal and marine potential through sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient development. Rooted in innovation, conservation, and community empowerment, the project envisions a thriving blue economy that fosters biodiversity, supports livelihoods, and ensures long-term prosperity for Zanzibar's people—particularly coastal communities and youth.

By integrating green technologies, marine conservation, sustainable fisheries, eco-tourism, and coastal infrastructure development, this initiative will not only strengthen Zanzibar’s marine economy but also position the island as a global model for climate-smart coastal management.

Goals & Objectives:

Primary Goal

To transform Zanzibar’s coastal and marine resources into sustainable engines of economic growth, ecological preservation, and community development.

Key Objectives:

Marine Conservation & Biodiversity Restoration

• Establish and expand Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
• Restore coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds.
• Combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture

• Develop community-based fisheries cooperatives.
• Introduce sustainable aquaculture technologies (e.g. seaweed farming, oyster cultivation)
• Provide training and gear to small-scale fishers.

Eco-Tourism Development

• Promote eco-lodges, marine safaris, and cultural heritage tours.
• Train youth and women in eco-tourism operations.
• Develop blue heritage trails and underwater attractions.

Green Coastal Infrastructure

• Construct climate-resilient jetties and fish markets.
• Install solar-powered cold storage for fish preservation.
• Improve waste and water management in coastal towns.

Blue Economy Innovation & Education

• Establish a Zanzibar Blue Economy Innovation Hub.
• Provide scholarships and training in marine sciences and entrepreneurship.
• Launch blue economy research partnerships with universities.

Target Beneficiaries:

• 5,000+ coastal households
• 1,500 youth and women trained in blue economy sectors
• Over 100 local SMEs and cooperatives supported
• Marine ecosystems covering 150,000 hectares

Implementation TimelineP:

Project Duration: 4 years (2025–2029)

• Phase 1 (2025): Baseline studies, stakeholder consultations, pilot projects.
• Phase 2 (2026–2027): Expansion of core programs, infrastructure building.
• Phase 3 (2028): Scaling up innovations, eco-tourism rollout.
• Phase 4 (2029): Monitoring, impact assessment, and sustainability transfer.

Proposed Budget Overview:

Component	Estimated Cost (USD)
Marine Conservation Initiatives	$3,000,000
Sustainable Fisheries & Aquaculture	$2,500,000
Eco-Tourism Infrastructure & Training	$2,000,000
Green Coastal Infrastructure Projects	$3,500,000
Innovation Hub & Capacity Building	$1,500,000
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)	$500,000
Project Management & Admin Costs	$1,000,000
Total Budget (USD)	$14,000,000

Key Partners & Stakeholders:

• Government of Zanzibar (Blue Economy Office, Ministry of Environment)
• International development partners (UNDP, World Bank, EU)
• Local NGOs and fisher associations.
• Universities & research institutions.
• Private sector investors and tourism operators.

Expected Impact by 2029:

• 25% increase in sustainable fisheries yields.
• 40% increase in marine protected area coverage.
• 10,000+ metric tons of CO₂ sequestered via blue carbon ecosystems.
• 3,000 green jobs created in blue economy sectors.
• Significant uplift in community incomes and biodiversity health.

Call to Action:

Zanzibar stands at the threshold of a blue renaissance. Join us in turning the tide—where oceans generate opportunity, and green futures begin with blue economies. Whether you are a donor, policymaker, investor, or advocate, "Blue Economy, Green Future" invites you to be part of a legacy that safeguards nature while uplifting communities.