AUTONOMOUS PORT OF PAPEETE

CALL FOR PROJECTS 2026

Compensatory measures relating to the impacts of the Papeete Pass deepening project

CONTEXT :

The Autonomous Port of Papeete is undertaking a project to deepen the Papeete pass and adapt its maritime infrastructure in order to support the evolution of maritime traffic and guarantee the continuity of service to French Polynesia.

Aware of the environmental, social, cultural and heritage issues associated with this project, the Port wishes to implement a call for projects aimed at supporting initiatives contributing to the voluntary compensation of its potential impacts on ecosystems, heritage and uses related to the Papeete pass.

This initiative is part of the corporate social and environmental responsibility (CSR) policy of the Autonomous Port of Papeete.

This call for projects does not replace the regulatory obligations applicable to the infrastructure project, nor the avoidance, reduction, or monitoring measures provided for by the regulations. It constitutes a complementary mechanism designed to support initiatives of general interest that offer a lasting benefit to the region.

Within the framework of environmental assessment, the "avoid – reduce – compensate" (ERC) sequence constitutes the reference principle applicable to any project likely to generate impacts on natural environments, uses, and ecological functions. Compensatory measures are only implemented as a last resort, when significant residual impacts have not been avoided or sufficiently reduced. They aim to provide environmental compensation for the project's persistent harmful effects, based on a principle of ecological, functional, and sustainable equivalence.

The Papeete Pass deepening project already benefits from a structured set of avoidance, mitigation, and monitoring measures defined in the environmental impact assessment, as well as operational systems implemented by the construction companies. These include, in particular, turbidity monitoring, protection of coral habitats, consideration of marine mammals, sediment and discharge zone management, and site environmental management plans (Environmental Assurance Plan (EAP), Waste Management and Organization Plan (WMO), and monitoring systems). Projects submitted under this call for applications must not duplicate these regulatory and contractual obligations.

GOALS :

This call for projects aims to support initiatives contributing to:

• improving knowledge about the Papeete pass; ;
• the preservation or restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems; ;
• reducing the pressures exerted on natural environments; ;
• taking into account maritime and lagoon uses; ;
• the enhancement of maritime, cultural and historical heritage; ;
• the development of participatory science; ;
• environmental and territorial innovation; ;
• applied research and interdisciplinary expertise.

Projects must have a direct or demonstrated link with the potential impacts of the Papeete Pass deepening project and with the environmental, social and heritage objectives pursued by the Autonomous Port of Papeete.

ELIGIBLE THEMES

The proposed projects must fall within one or more of the following areas:

1. Scientific knowledge and monitoring of environments
2. Ecological restoration and strengthening of natural functions
3. Reduction of environmental pressures
4. Human and social sciences applied to the Papeete pass
5. Maritime heritage, history and underwater archaeology
6. Citizen science and awareness-raising
7. Applied research and environmental innovation
8. Interdisciplinary approaches and territorial innovation

ELIGIBLE PROJECT LEADERS

The following may apply:

• associations; ;
• federations; ;
• foundations; ;
• research organizations; ;
• higher education institutions; ;
• partner groups.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The projects will be evaluated in particular with regard to:

GOVERNANCE AND SELECTION COMMITTEE

The selection committee carries out the technical and qualitative analysis of the application files and formulates a reasoned proposal for ranking the projects likely to be selected with regard to the criteria defined by this call for projects.

The selection committee will guarantee:

• scientific and technical robustness; ;
• consistency with the compensatory objection to the impacts of deepening the pass; ;
• the transparency and fairness of the system.

FINANCIAL TERMS

A dedicated financial package of 60 million CFP francs will be mobilized by the Autonomous Port of Papeete.

The amount of aid granted will be determined based on the quality of the selected projects, their expected impact and the funding requested.

The Port Authority of Papeete reserves the right to:

• to finance all or part of a project; ;
• to select several projects; ;
• not to allocate the entire available budget.

The aid will take the form of subsidies.

Each grant awarded under this call for projects will be subject to an agreement between the Autonomous Port of Papeete and the eligible entity.

Furthermore, candidates will be required to produce a comprehensive and coherent detailed estimate of the project's expenses, presented in the form of a precise and structured breakdown of all cost items.

Each item must be quantified, justified, and valued, clearly distinguishing between unit costs, volumes used, and the calculation assumptions employed. The budget must also show, where applicable, any co-financing secured and the amount of self-financing.

The absence of this document or its incomplete nature may constitute grounds for the inadmissibility of the application.

PROVISIONAL TIMETABLE

The dates provided below are indicative only:

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS TO BE PROVIDED

Required documents for all candidates:

• Completed application form; ;
• Bank details (RIB); ;
• Official document(s) that establish proof of the legal existence of the entity; ;
• Proof of residence in French Polynesia.

Specific documents depending on the status:

Projects are submitted freely by the candidates. The Port Authority of Papeete does not define a service that meets a specific need of the institution and reserves the right to reject any project.