- Through this 6th edition of the “Climate & Biodiversity Initiative” programme, the BNP Paribas Foundation will support between 7 and 15 projects on the theme of ocean and coastal ecosystems.
- Applicants can submit their projects from 21 January to 4 May 2025. The process is open to all scientific teams conducting research on these subjects from Europe.
- The Foundation is dedicating a total budget of 7 million euros to this edition, which has been labeled “Ocean Decade” by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO.
A call for projects open from 21 January to 4 May 2025
Ocean acidification, coastal erosion, coastal artificialization, overfishing… Today, ocean and coastal ecosystems are seriously threatened and affected by human activities. Yet, the ocean plays a crucial role in climate regulation, and more than 3.8 billion people live within 150 km of the shore, all depending on these ecosystems for their livelihood and food security.
Based on this observation, the BNP Paribas Foundation has chosen to dedicate its 6th “Climate & Biodiversity Initiative” to projects on ocean and coastal ecosystems. After the submission phase closes, the Foundation’s Scientific Committee will select between 7 and 15 projects that will receive a total support of 7 million euros over three years. Applications are open to European scientific research projects (basic and/or applied) focusing on climate and biodiversity related to ocean and coastal ecosystems.
A 6th edition labeled by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
Given its focus on ocean and coastal ecosystems, this new edition has received the “Ocean Decade” label by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). The Ocean Decade, or United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), is coordinated by UNESCO-IOC and aims to accelerate the conservation and sustainable use of ocean and marine resources.
“In response to the ongoing environmental issues, we are convinced that philanthropy is a key lever for change. By supporting the work of scientists, this call for projects is an opportunity for us to act in favor of ocean and coastal areas preservation. We are delighted that the new edition of our “Climate & Biodiversity Initiative” programme, which is at the heart of our commitment to scientific research, has been labeled by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO.” Isabelle Giordano, Head of Group Philanthropy and General Delegate of the BNP Paribas Foundation
“We welcome this joint call for projects with the BNP Paribas Foundation, which perfectly illustrates the importance of multistakeholder collaboration for global ocean action. We are confident that the selected initiatives will contribute to the collective efforts of the ocean community and bring us one step closer to achieving the vision of the Ocean Decade by 2030: the science we need for the ocean we want.” Vidar Helgesen, Executive Secretary of UNESCO-IOC
In 2025, through its Climate & Biodiversity Initiative, the Foundation will have supported more than 35 international scientific research teams with a total budget of €24 million, making it the largest environmental philanthropy programme in France.
More information on the call for projects (eligibility criteria, grant modalities, etc.): https://climate-and-biodiversity-initiative.fondation.bnpparibas/en/
Press contacts – BNP Paribas
Indira Salinas – indira.salinas@bnpparibas.com – + 33 (0) 7 89 56 44 79
Carine Sie – carine.sie@bnpparibas.com – + 33 (0) 6 65 68 45 24
Press contact – Agence F for the BNP Paribas Foundation
Solene Roux – solene.roux@agencef.com – + 33 (0) 7 63 32 26 67
Press contact – Ocean Decade, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
Aya Khalil – a.khalil@unesco.org – + 33 (0) 1 45 68 11 23
This press release was originally written by the BNP Paribas Foundation, in partnership with UNESCO-IOC and the Ocean Decade.
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About the BNP Paribas Fondation:
Under the oversight of the Foundation of France, the BNP Paribas Foundation has been a major player in corporate philanthropy since 1984. It is also encouraging and contributing to the BNP Paribas’ philanthropic policy growth in all parts of the world wherever the Bank operates. The BNP Paribas Foundation’s activities are aimed at multidisciplinary philanthropy, supporting innovative projects dedicated to culture, social inclusion, and environment. It pays close attention to the quality of its commitment to its partners through a long-term commitment. Since 1984, over 300 cultural projects, 35 research programs and a thousand social and educational initiatives have earned its support in France and around the world. To found out more about the BNP Paribas Foundation, click here.
About the UNESCO-IOC:
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (UNESCO-IOC) promotes international cooperation in marine sciences to improve management of the ocean, coasts and marine resources. The IOC enables its 150 Member States to work together by coordinating programmes in capacity development, ocean observations and services, ocean science and tsunami warning. The work of the IOC contributes to the mission of UNESCO to promote the advancement of science and its applications to develop knowledge and capacity, key to economic and social progress, the basis of peace and sustainable development.
About the Ocean Decade:
Proclaimed in 2017 by the United Nations General Assembly, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) (‘the Ocean Decade’) seeks to stimulate ocean science and knowledge generation to reverse the decline of the state of the ocean system and catalyse new opportunities for sustainable development of this massive marine ecosystem. The vision of the Ocean Decade is ‘the science we need for the ocean we want’. The Ocean Decade provides a convening framework for scientists and stakeholders from diverse sectors to develop the scientific knowledge and the partnerships needed to accelerate and harness advances in ocean science to achieve a better understanding of the ocean system and deliver science-based solutions to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The UN General Assembly mandated UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) to coordinate the preparations and implementation of the Decade