PREP4BLUE aims to support the development of research and innovation modalities needed to achieve the objectives of the Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters. Deliverable 5.4, "Vision of how to fund scale-up solutions beyond 2025," aims to engage stakeholders in exploring and applying funding models supporting the Mission objectives.

Building on deliverable 5.2, “Business model blueprints and de-risking recommendations”, relevant funding models are defined. These funding models are further explained, emphasising compact explanation and visual representation in factsheets targeted to a wider audience. A first model factsheet is annexed to this report.

Our review of the funding seascape is based on a non-exhaustive desktop review, partner input, and stakeholder consultations. It identified 19 funding instruments relevant to the Mission, excluding subordinate programmes and initiatives. To map gaps in the funding seascape, we built on the work presented in deliverable 5.2 on assessing the suitability of each funding model for specific business models and added a non-exhaustive review of the application of the defined funding models by European public funding instruments.

Deliverable 5.2 differentiates between traditional business models focused on financial and manufactured capital and sustainable business models, which preserve and create value not only for financial, manufactured, or intellectual capital but also for human, social, and natural capital (Theis & van Liempd, 2024). While Thies & van Liempd find that sustainable business models may match well with only a few funding models, we find that those funding models are clearly overrepresented in the European public funding seascape. Non-profit-oriented funding models predominate among the public funding instruments by far. Complementing those requires mobilising private funders on a large scale. Engaging private funders in support of public policy goals is essential as it has the potential to increase the pool of funding and enlarge the spectrum of funding models available for research and innovation projects. To that effect, the Mission’s clear emphasis on mobilisation and engagement of societal actors and change makers is timely for mobilising private funders in support of the Mission objectives.

Our stakeholder consultation also addressed challenges experienced with existing funding models and instruments. The stakeholders consulted put less emphasis on funding gaps than on the difficulty of manoeuvring the complex funding seascape. Three concerns stood out here: the administrative burden related to application and reporting requirements, the generally long processes for obtaining funding for a relatively short period, and the difficulties with identifying and keeping track of relevant funding opportunities.

This report also lists seven examples of innovative funding models the stakeholders consulted found worth further exploring. Finally, we present a list of recommendations for funders to consider. These can be accessed on the PREP4BLUE website (here) or via Zenodo (here).