Fondation de France launches the Ocean 2025 programme
Oceans and coasts play a key role in the ecological balance of our planet: they are home to up to 80% of life on earth, regulate the climate, store carbon and perform crucial ecological and social functions. However, these environments are under increasing threat from the effects of climate change, pollution, overfishing and coastal development. Faced with these challenges, Fondation de France, which has been active for over 15 years in supporting a fair and inclusive ecological transition, is stepping up its commitment, particularly in mainland France and the overseas territories.
Fondation de France's commitment takes on a new dimension with Ocean 2025
At the beginning of the year, Fondation de France launched the "Ocean 2025" scheme to support initiatives in line with the Year of the Sea and the UNOC.
This scheme includes:
- An Ocean 2025 call for projects: 12 projects have already been supported in 2025, amounting to €313,800. These include: Surfrider, Les Petits Débrouillards, SMILO and the Ocean Expeditions Cluster;
- A "Nature-based solutions" call for projects: projects are currently being selected;
- Support for sustainable fishing projects such as Pleine Mer, which develops responsible methods for fishing and aquaculture.
Alongside six other funds and foundations, Fondation de France's "ecological transition" collective is behind the Call for Funds and Foundations for the Ocean, launched in April. This Call aims to mobilise as many stakeholders as possible to preserve water resources, protect coastal and marine biodiversity, combat disruption of the marine environment and develop sustainable fishing practices.
"The Call for the Ocean reflects our commitment to taking action alongside other foundations, supporting concrete initiatives and working towards an ecological transition that is also fair and inclusive. For Fondation de France, protecting the ocean also means promoting territorial balance and preserving the resources of those who depend on it," emphasises Laetitia Bertholet, head of the Ecological and Solidarity Transition group at Fondation de France.
As part of this initiative, Fondation de France is co-organising a round table with Un Esprit de Famille entitled "Towards a blue philanthropy with impact", which took place on 6 June at the UNOC. The aim is to initiate a collective debate on how to strengthen and structure philanthropic action to protect the ocean.
The Ocean & Climate platform: a strategic partnership
The Ocean & Climate Platform (POC), set up in 2014, is a non-partisan organisation that brings together over 110 members (scientific bodies, research institutions, associations, foundations, etc.) to ensure that ocean issues are given greater consideration in international climate negotiations. Fondation de France is one of the organisation's long-standing supporters. Its support has enabled the POC to strengthen its team and become a key interface between researchers, institutions, associations, economic players and philanthropists. Today, it is the only independent national platform playing a coordinating role, in France and internationally, to better protect the ocean.
Support from Fondation de France has also enabled the development of flagship projects such as:
- Seat'ies, which helps coastal towns and territories adapt to the effects of climate change, particularly rising sea levels, by sharing practical solutions and promoting international dialogue. This project is behind a global coalition of coastal cities and territories for adaptation to climate change, which will be announced at the UN Ocean Conference;
- The organisation of key events, such as the Coast and Sea Days.
The "Coast and Sea" programme: 226 projects supported since its creation in 2011
For almost 15 years, Fondation de France has run a dedicated action programme called "Coast and Sea", to take specific action on the issues facing these fragile areas. Between 2011 and 2024, 226 projects were supported with a total of €23m, in mainland France and the French overseas territories. The programme has fostered local and participatory initiatives around four priorities:
- Accelerate the ecological, just and inclusive transition of the coast and sea (sustainable management, tourism, fishing, spatial planning);
- Protect and restore ecosystems, strengthen their resilience and proper functioning (nature-based solutions) and transform the relationship between humans and nature;
- Prevent and anticipate crises (flooding, pollution, invasive species) and adapt to the effects of climate change (risk culture, etc.);
- Encourage collective action in coastal and marine areas to foster cooperation between all stakeholders involved (businesses, local authorities, associations, researchers, residents, etc.).
The overseas territories account for 97% of French maritime space, and their populations face challenges typical of small islands, where the sea and coastline are ever-present. In 2024, 50% of the projects supported under this programme focused on these issues: sustainable management, environmental justice, ecosystem restoration, inter-island projects, etc.
The programme has also supported other flagship projects such as the Pamparigouste Plastic Laboratory (Berre Lagoon) and the BioLit participatory science programme, which connects citizens, scientists and managers to better understand and protect biodiversity.
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