We are a partner for forward-thinking organisations fostering biodiversity and mitigating climate change.

A diverse biosphere and a stable climate are fundamental prerequisites for all life to thrive on our planet. We believe a good, just society within the boundaries of the planet is possible, and the people willing to build it are already out there. Our job is to find them, back them, and stay close as the work unfolds.

OUR APPROACH

1 We focus on issues that matter deeply for biodiversity and climate but deserve more attention.

Two strategic priorities guide our work:

The first is increasing capital for nature – We promote innovative financing models for nature action. We emphasise that these models also benefit the people on the ground.

The second is investing in the leadership of people – We support communities and civil society in taking the lead on the protection of nature and natural resources. We ensure communities have genuine opportunities to participate in making the decisions that affect them and the natural world their lives are intertwined with. The ecological transformation will not succeed if it belongs only to those already in the room.

We don't always chase 'the next big thing': The work that has already shown results but lacks the resources to grow deserves just as much attention.

2 We support our partners in every way we can.

We partner with forward-thinking organisations creating profoundly better futures for the different inhabitants of the planet, from microbes to humans. Our role is to help our partners to succeed in their mission, in their own terms.

We provide financial support. We actively seek partnerships that align with our mission. We do not organize open grant calls. However, we consider proposals that align with the Foundation's priorities and criteria.

In addition to funding, we offer our expertise and networks to support our partners in meeting their needs and goals. We build relationships of trust with the people doing the work, stay close as their efforts develop, and learn alongside them about the issues, their organisations and the role we can play.

If you are interested in partnering with us, read more here.

3 We convene where needed.

Where alignment, shared strategy, or collective momentum is missing, we step in to convene stakeholders and help build common ground.

To further our goals, we also:

• Support, on a smaller scale, the promotion of equity and social inclusion among children and youth. We do not accept unsolicited proposals in this area.
• Invest responsibly. The management of RELEX Foundation's assets is outsourced and guided by the foundation's board and CEO. Responsibility forms the basis of our investment operations, as responsible investing advances our goals and protects our investments from risks.
• Minimize the adverse effects of our operations: As we seek to maximize the positive indirect impact of our grant-making and other activities on the environment and society, we also strive to minimize the climate emissions and other environmental and social harms caused by our operations. This involves choosing the most sustainable options and practicing thoughtful consumption, for example, overland travel when possible, plant-based catering, and renewable energy and materials.
  

Photo by Mohamed Nasar