What is the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco?
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation is an international non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and advancing planetary health for both current and future generations. Founded in 2006 by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, the Foundation’s mission is to foster a new relationship with nature and promote innovations that speed up this vital change. It brings together humanity to implement effective solutions focused on biodiversity, climate, oceans, and water resources. Operating mainly across three geographical zones — the Mediterranean Basin, Polar Regions, and Least Developed Countries — the Foundation is truly global in its reach and ambition.
Main Benefits and Key Facts
Here are some key highlights that showcase the Foundation’s impact and scope:
- Established in 2006 by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco.
- Active in three main regions: Mediterranean Basin, Polar Regions, and Least Developed Countries.
- Operates 11 international branches worldwide, including offices in France, the UK, Switzerland, the US, Canada, Germany, Italy, Singapore, Spain, China, and Brazil.
- Focuses on biodiversity, climate change, ocean protection, and water resource management.
- Supports a wide range of initiatives and projects, from forest conservation to sustainable energy solutions.
Our Initiatives: Driving Change Across Ecosystems
The Foundation runs several impactful initiatives designed to address critical environmental challenges. For instance, the Forests and Communities Initiative empowers indigenous peoples and local communities to conserve forests. The Polar Initiative focuses on protecting fragile polar regions, while the DIMFE (Donors’ Initiative For Mediterranean Freshwater Ecosystems) works to safeguard vital freshwater resources. Other initiatives include the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, which aims to protect and restore coral reefs, and the Monk Seal Alliance, which strengthens collaboration to protect the endangered Mediterranean monk seal. Each initiative is a piece of the bigger puzzle in preserving our planet’s health.
Projects Around the World: Real Impact in Action
The Foundation’s projects span the globe and tackle a variety of environmental and social issues. Some standout projects include “Siren Song”, which focuses on the knowledge and protection of sirenians (sea cows), and the creation and management of Cambodia’s first Marine Protected Area. In Burkina Faso, the “Solar Grandmothers” project provides reliable, sustainable, and affordable energy. Other efforts include sustainable agriculture and water resource management to combat climate change, building bioinformatics infrastructure like the SeaBase for marine genomes, and providing solar lamps to Sahelian schoolchildren to improve education access. These projects highlight the Foundation’s commitment to combining environmental protection with community development.
Expanding Global Reach Through Strategic Representations
Since its inception, the Foundation has steadily expanded its international presence to maximize its impact. Starting with offices in France and the UK in 2007, it quickly grew to include branches in Switzerland, the US, and Canada by 2008, followed by Germany and Italy in 2009. Singapore joined in 2011, Spain in 2016, China in 2019, and most recently, São Paulo, Brazil in 2023. This network of 11 foreign branches strengthens the Foundation’s ability to support its missions worldwide, fostering collaboration and extending the reach of its environmental initiatives.
Uniting Science, Politics, and Society for a Sustainable Future
The Foundation actively brings together scientists, political leaders, economic players, and civil society stakeholders to champion the protection of oceans and land. This collaborative approach has led to encouraging victories, such as safeguarding endangered species and improving living conditions in rural communities through sustainable and ethical solutions. The Foundation’s long-term vision is about more than just conservation — it’s about creating a new, respectful relationship with nature that benefits everyone.
Project Impact and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 13: Climate Action – combating climate change through sustainable agriculture and water management.
- SDG 14: Life Below Water – protecting oceans, coral reefs, and marine biodiversity.
- SDG 15: Life on Land – conserving forests and endangered species like the Mediterranean monk seal.
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – providing sustainable energy solutions such as solar lamps and solar grandmothers.
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – improving access to safe water through initiatives like the Young Water Fellowship.
- SDG 4: Quality Education – enhancing education access via projects like the Malizia Ocean Challenge and solar lamps for schoolchildren.
Looking Ahead: A Commitment to Planetary Health
Protecting and progressing planetary health remains the Foundation’s core mission. From its early days, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco envisioned a world where humans and nature coexist in harmony. Today, the Foundation continues to push this vision forward, actively supporting innovative solutions and fostering global partnerships. Whether it’s through conserving biodiversity, advancing sustainable development, or empowering communities, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation is a beacon of hope for our planet’s future — and it’s just getting started.
