DIMFE – The Donors’ Initiative for Mediterranean Freshwater Ecosystems – was created to respond to the water resource management challenges. The freshwater ecosystems are home to 12% of all known species. They contribute to our well-being by providing drinking water and irrigation for crops. They also provide nature-based solutions to help regulate our climate and protect against floods, droughts, or coastal storms.
The Initiative was established in 2021 by three founding members: The Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation, The MAVA Foundation and The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. Focusing on the conservation and restoration of freshwater ecosystems and their biodiversity in the Mediterranean basin, DIMFE aims to support projects with strong impact in the field.
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Call for projects 2024
Partners: Aage V. Jensen Charity Foundation, Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Sigrid Rausing Trust
Water resource management is one of the major issues of the 21st century. In order to respond to the challenges that impact freshwater ecosystems, the Donors’ Initiative for Mediterranean Freshwater Ecosystems (DIMFE) was created in 2021; a funders collaborative, dedicated to the conservation and restoration of all freshwater ecosystems in the Mediterranean: rivers, lakes, marshes and peatlands.
Themes of the call for projects:
- Conservation and restoration of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity
- Sustainable use and management of water resources
- The development and implementation of sustainable financing mechanisms for freshwater ecosystem conservation and sustainable water use
For example, project proposals could include approaches such as nature-based solutions, payment for ecosystem services, traditional water management practices and the removal of obsolete barriers. This list is not exhaustive.
Criteria for the call for projects:
- Financial support from €100,000 to €500,000
- DIMFE’s contribution should normally not exceed 75% of the total project budget. If the request for funding exceeds €300,000, 25% co-financing (non-in-kind) is mandatory.
- Projects must start between March and June 2025 and have a maximum duration of 3 years
Project eligibility:
The Executive Committee will select projects that meet several criteria:
- Projects must be located within the Mediterranean basin, without geographical preference.
- Projects must produce results that have an impact on the ground.
- Projects must be consistent with the themes and budget listed above.
- Projects submitted by a single person will not be considered.
Eligible applicants:
- NGOs, local authorities, municipalities, private companies engaged in the ecological transition with less than 20 employees, scientific institutions.
DIMFE will fund projects that adopt a holistic approach taking into account community and cultural aspects such as the inclusion of socio-economic benefits for local populations, the promotion of environmentally beneficial cultural practices and respect for ethnicity and gender.
Instructions for downloading the files:
Attention: You must download the budget tables to fill them, it is not possible to fill them online.