OCEAN’s Ambition Statement and Applicant Guidance on Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI).
OCEAN Ambition and Commitment
OCEAN is committed to prioritising and embedding Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) across all elements of the grant programme. In support of this, OCEAN has agreed:
GEDSI Ambition: OCEAN’s ambition is to be at least a GEDSI Empowering programme.
GEDSI Commitment: OCEAN’s commitment is for all projects to be, or strive to be, GEDSI Empowering.
- Projects under the Community Grants pathway must, at minimum, have a GEDSI Responsive approach, though Community Grants projects that are more ambitious in their GEDSI approach – by meeting or demonstrating a clear plan to meet the standard of GEDSI Empowering – will be prioritised.
- Projects under the Partnership Grants pathway must have a GEDSI Empowering approach.
Understanding GEDSI
Social characteristics (such as disability, socio-economic status, migration and displacement status, ethnicity, Indigenous status, race, age, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity) combine to influence who has power and access to resources, who makes decisions, and who loses out. Social characteristics are intersectional, and multiple forms of discrimination can compound each other, creating additional barriers. Not considering these dynamics risks exacerbating inequalities and undermining climate and biodiversity goals.
GEDSI comprises three closely related and equally important concepts:
- An approach focused on Gender Equality aims to remove the unequal power relations between different gender identities in the pursuit of equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities for all. It is about addressing inequalities and transforming the distribution of opportunities, choices and resources available to girls, women and non-binary individuals so that they have equal power to shape their lives and participate in the process, thereby increasing equality between people of all genders.
- Disability inclusion is the process of ensuring the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in all their diversity and ensuring the promotion and mainstreaming of their rights.
Social inclusion is the process of improving the terms on which individuals and groups take part in society—improving the ability, opportunity, and dignity of those disadvantaged and historically excluded from decision making and spheres of influence on the basis of their identity. Inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) is recognised within Social Inclusion.
GEDSI within OCEAN projects
To meet the GEDSI Responsive and GEDSI Empowering standards as defined by OCEAN, all successful applicants must demonstrate they:
- Understand the GEDSI context in which they aim to operate in;
- Ensure inclusive and meaningful participation of all those engaging with the project;
- Will not contribute to or create any further inequalities, i.e. “do no harm”;
- Will deliver equitable net benefits within communities; and
- Have robust safeguarding and risk mitigation measures in place.
While projects supported through the Community Grants pathway must have a GEDSI Responsive approach at minimum, those that are more ambitious and strive to be GEDSI Empowering will be prioritised. This commitment ensures that all projects, regardless of prior experience with GEDSI considerations, understand and adhere to the minimum standards expected of them. This is particularly important for projects where GEDSI may be a new or emerging consideration, fostering an inclusive approach from the outset.
For organisations supported through the Partnerships Grants pathway, the expectations are more ambitious. These projects are expected to be GEDSI Empowering at minimum and for this to be embedded throughout their design, implementation and learning.
To learn more about OCEAN’s GEDSI approach and how to mee the expected standards, see the Complete Guidance for Applicants and the GEDSI Ambition Statement and Applicant Guidance.
