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Financial Mechanisms

Guarantee Facility

Housed in MAR Fund and managed by Viwala, the GFCR funds are used as a Guarantee for the MAR+Invest pipeline
Drivers of Degradation Addressed
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Land-Based Pollution
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Deforestation and Agricultural Conversion
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Aquaculture Practices
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Overfishing and Destructive Fishing
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Mangrove Deforestation
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Unsustainable Tourism
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Coral Reefs Restoration
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Wastewater
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Rising Oceanic Temperature
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Disease & Invasive Species
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Garbage & Solid Waste
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Coastal Development

The MAR+Invest Guarantee Fund represents a pivotal innovation for unlocking sustainable investment in the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) region. Designed to de-risk investments in reef-positive businesses, the Guarantee Fund addresses a key challenge in the region: limited access to capital for early-stage or high-impact ventures that are not yet fully investment-ready. By providing financial security and enhancing investor confidence, the fund plays a critical role in enabling the deployment of blended finance products.

Officially launched in June 2024 with an initial transfer of US$250,000—followed by a second transfer bringing the total to US$500,000—the fund is housed in a dedicated JP Morgan account . Viwala, the financial intermediary for MAR+Invest, is responsible for analyzing investment opportunities, managing concessional loans, and recommending the use of the guarantee fund for eligible reef-positive ventures, in close coordination with MAR Fund.

By 2025, the guarantee fund has been leveraged in two deals: a blended finance loan for Terminator Water Solutions and for Chiringuito Hotel.

Author MAR Fund
Region Latin America and the Caribbean
Country Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico
GFCR Programme MAR+Invest - The Business Development and Finance Facility of the Mesoamerican Reef
GFCR Convening Agent MAR Fund
Sector Financial Mechanisms
Stage Operational
Key Contact Amy Jones
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