PNCIMA initiative secures multi-year funding
November 25, 2010
The Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area (PNCIMA) Steering Committee is pleased to announce that on Nov. 11, funding from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation was secured for the planning stage of the PNCIMA initiative. Up to $8.3 million will be provided to assist with the ambitious plan to work with communities, First Nations, stakeholders, and provincial and federal agencies, to complete a draft integrated oceans management plan by December 2012.
This funding supplements the financial and human resource contributions from the federal, provincial and First Nations Collaborative Governance Parties, including over $6 million in support from Fisheries and Oceans Canada since 2002.
In recognition of increasingly complex ocean management challenges, governments are looking to new and innovative models to achieve their objectives. Both federal and provincial governments are encouraging collaboration and partnering, and have seen success in these arrangements. One example in British Columbia is the charitable funding provided to the Coast Opportunity Funds in support of economic development and conservation initiatives on BC’s central coast. Charitable funding has also contributed to the success of other oceans planning initiatives such as the Massachusetts Oceans Partnership and California Marine Life Protection Act Initiative.
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation will provide the funds in the form of a grant to Tides Canada, which will provide administrative assistance to PNCIMA in support of achieving an effective planning process.
Effective oceans management in British Columbia requires a significant investment of resources, collaboration and an ability to mesh planning goals and expertise across distinct agencies and among diverse interests. Now, with all the pieces in place, the collaborative work to develop an integrated oceans management plan is well underway.
For more information about this funding and how it will help the PNCIMA initiative achieve its objectives, please see PNCIMA Funding Frequently Answered Questions below.
Funding Frequently Answered Questions
What is the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and what is their interest in coastal British Columbia?Has this type of private-public funding model been successful elsewhere?
How does the PNCIMA initiative ensure that the outcomes of the planning process aren’t dictated by any external funders?Why aren’t the governments fully funding the PNCIMA initiative themselves?
What is the role of Tides Canada?What is the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and what is their interest in coastal British Columbia?
Established in 2000, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation is a charitable foundation based in Palo Alto, California. The Foundation’s vision is to “create positive outcomes for future generations”. To achieve this, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation works in partnership with local entities - including governments, industries, coastal communities and environmental groups - who have the same goal.Has this type of private-public funding model been successful elsewhere?
There are many examples where external funding has bolstered the efforts of governments to achieve their planning objectives. Charitable funding has contributed to the success of other marine planning initiatives such as the Massachusetts Oceans Partnership and the California Marine Life Protection Act. Charitable funding has also demonstrated success in ongoing initiatives in British Columbia, such as the Coast Opportunity Funds that supports both conservation and economic development opportunities.How does the PNCIMA initiative ensure that the outcomes of the planning process aren’t dictated by any external funders?
The use of any external funds provided to support the PNCIMA initiative is guided by a set of formalized principles designed to preserve existing decision-making authorities and guarantee continued transparency and fairness. These principles ensure that the funds are used to support the goals and objectives that are developed through an inclusive and collaborative planning process.Why aren’t the governments fully funding the PNCIMA initiative themselves?
Federal, provincial and coastal First Nations governments share a mutual objective of healthy and resilient oceans that can support B.C.’s communities, economic activities and culture. All of these parties have strategies and programs in place that reflect this common objective. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, as the federal lead for integrated oceans management, provides important core funding to the PNCIMA process, including over $6 million since 2002. However, in recognition of increasingly complex oceans management challenges, governments are also looking to new and innovative models to achieve their objectives. This includes working with those who share governments’ objectives and who can provide resources. This approach is consistent with the provisions for collaboration and shared responsibility for oceans management outlined in Canada’s Oceans Act.The funding from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation supplements the resources already committed to this initiative and will help this initiative succeed.
What is the role of Tides Canada?
To operationalize the charitable funding for the PNCIMA initiative, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation will make a grant to Tides Canada, which will provide administrative assistance in support of achieving an effective planning process.Specifically, Tides Canada will support elements of the PNCIMA workplan in areas such as stakeholder engagement, information gathering and administration. The Tides Canada project will report to the PNCIMA Steering Committee who will ensure that the collaboration with Tides Canada is transparent, supports the PNCIMA initiative effectively and aligns with the PNCIMA initiative’s governance arrangements, vision and objectives.