Blue People
The Blue Prosperity pillar positions coastal communities at the centre of a regenerative blue economy, recognising that long-term ocean resilience depends on people having access to sustainable livelihoods, resilient food systems, inclusive value chains, and fair market opportunities. It connects conservation with economic transformation by supporting practical pathways through fisheries, aquaculture, circular economy initiatives, eco-tourism, and small enterprise development. In the Western Indian Ocean, this pillar demonstrates that protecting marine ecosystems and strengthening local economies are not separate goals, but mutually reinforcing outcomes that support both environmental recovery and social resilience.
Between 2021 and 2025, the Great Blue Wall strengthened livelihoods for more than 112,735 people across participating countries, creating blue jobs and supporting household income through projects such as ReSea, LEAP, Bahari Mali, IslandPlas, and WIOCOR. The Blue People pillar prioritises inclusion by ensuring women, youth, and vulnerable groups are integrated into the transition toward regenerative blue economies. Through enterprise support, innovation challenges, blended finance, and capacity building, it helps communities move from dependence on extractive practices toward diversified economic opportunities that strengthen both livelihoods and ecosystem stewardship.