In March 2021, the organizations AIFM, PIM Initiative, MedWet, MedPAN, Tour du Valat and the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, with the support of the Conservatoire du Littoral, officially founded the Mediterranean Biodiversity Consortium.

Committed to preserving forests, small islands, the sea, wetlands, and coastal areas, these organizations combine their expertise within a partnership approach based on a multi-ecosystem perspective.

International Association for Mediterranean Forests (AIFM)

Founded in 1996, AIFM works to promote the protection and sustainable management of forests and other wooded areas across the Mediterranean region, while facilitating the exchange of knowledge and experience through a cross-sectoral and multidisciplinary approach. AIFM develops cooperation programmes aimed at addressing the challenges related to the management and use of these forest areas. The Association also advocates for greater recognition of Mediterranean forest issues within international, national and local policies and institutions.

PIM Initiative

The PIM Initiative, launched in 2005 by the Conservatoire du littoral, supports current and future managers of protected island areas to improve the conservation of these sites. It does so notably through the organization of scientific expeditions to enhance knowledge, the establishment of co-management systems ensuring effective protection of habitats and species, capacity building for technical and scientific staff, and advocacy and awareness-raising in favour of island ecosystems.

MedPAN

MedPAN is the network of managers of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Mediterranean. The network brings together 68 members and 48 partners from 21 Mediterranean countries. Together, they are responsible for the management of more than 110 marine protected areas. The mission of MedPAN is to actively contribute to the development of a representative, connected, integrated and effectively managed system of Mediterranean MPAs, through an active network of managers and other stakeholders who strengthen knowledge and capacities for MPAs, while also supporting awareness, policy development and financing.

MedWet

Created in 1991, MedWet is the first Regional Initiative officially recognized by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. MedWet brings together 27 Mediterranean countries and key wetland stakeholders. The organization’s mission is to facilitate the implementation of the Convention’s objectives, and to support the effective conservation of the functions and values of Mediterranean wetlands and the sustainable use of their resources and services. MedWet is committed to communication actions and support for public policies.

Tour du Valat

Active for more than 65 years, the Tour du Valat Foundation is a research institute dedicated to the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands. Its mission is to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands in the Mediterranean basin by improving understanding of their functioning and mobilizing a community of stakeholders. It carries out numerous projects ranging from research to ecosystem and species conservation, as well as supporting public policies.

IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation

The IUCN is a union of governmental and non-governmental actors. Bringing together the experience, resources and reach of more than 1,300 member organizations, and the contribution of over 15,600 volunteer scientists and experts, IUCN is a global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. The IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation opened in Málaga in October 2001. Its mission is to influence and support Mediterranean societies in conserving and sustainably using the region’s natural resources, and to cooperate with IUCN members and all other agencies that share IUCN’s objectives.

Conservatoire du littoral

Established in 1975, the Conservatoire du littoral is a French public institution that implements a land policy aimed at the permanent protection of natural spaces and landscapes along maritime and lake shorelines.
Together with its 250 partner organisations responsible for managing its sites, it currently contributes to the protection of around 213,500 hectares across 750 sites in France. Committed to strengthening its experience and fostering the exchange of know-how and best practices, the Conservatoire carries out institutional and technical cooperation activities in Europe and internationally, with the aim of supporting partner countries, at their request, in their policies for the protection and integrated management of coastal areas.

WWF France

Since 1973, WWF France has been working to halt environmental degradation and build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is one of the world’s leading independent conservation organizations, with an active network in over 100 countries and the support of nearly 6 million members.