Photo credits: Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco Instagram.
As wetlands take center stage in global discussions at the #RamsarCOP15, the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco has announced the launch of the 2025 Call for Projects under the Donors’ Initiative for Mediterranean Freshwater Ecosystems (DIMFE). This open call aims to fund impactful conservation and restoration efforts for freshwater ecosystems across the Mediterranean basin.
DIMFE is a joint fund focused on supporting projects that protect rivers, lakes, wetlands, marshes, and peatlands throughout the region. The initiative will back efforts that restore and conserve freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity, promote sustainable water resource management, develop long-term financing mechanisms for freshwater protection, and integrate social, cultural, and community dimensions into conservation work.
Projects should begin in 2026 and may last for up to three years. The funding available ranges from €100,000 to €500,000, and the application is open to NGOs, local authorities, small private companies, and research institutions operating within the Mediterranean basin. The submission deadline is October 15, 2025.
This call for projects comes at a critical time for freshwater ecosystems, which are increasingly at risk from environmental degradation. By focusing on practical, long-term solutions, DIMFE represents a concrete effort to restore the ecological balance of some of the region’s most vital—and vulnerable—natural resources.
On Porquerolles, 16 shopkeepers collaborated to recycle 11 tonnes of biowaste, demonstrating how local action can produce tangible environmental benefits. On Sifnos, efforts are underway to preserve local agro-biodiversity through dry-stone restoration and seed cataloging—practices that strengthen ecological resilience while honoring traditional land use. In Pakleni, conservationists are working to create a Marine Protected Area within the year. And in Lipari, a breeding project is protecting the critically endangered Podarcis raffonei, a species of lizard unique to the region.
These island-based projects show that while small islands may face spatial limitations, they offer significant opportunities for climate action and innovation. Each initiative serves as a replicable and scalable solution—an example of how localized action can inspire broader environmental progress.
Together, these efforts form a unified strategy by the Fondation Prince Albert II to restore critical freshwater ecosystems and promote sustainable development across the Mediterranean. Whether through large-scale restoration projects or community-driven island innovation, the foundation’s work underscores a shared mission: to protect and restore the lifeblood of the Mediterranean.