Philanthropic alliance to boost funding for nature conservation

Initiative will see members shape, fund and advance marine and land projects

- Audrey Tan

From restoring forests to safeguarding seas, nature conservation is set to receive a boost in philanthropic funding, under an initiative that will be introduced during a philanthropic conference in Singapore on April 15.

The new Communities initiative by the Temasek Trust-backed Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA) includes two nature-themed "clusters" of givers, called communities.

The Blue Oceans community focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and marine resources in Asia, while the Sustainable Land Use community will prioritise sustainable agriculture, land conservation and biodiversity preservation.

A third community will focus on holistic and inclusive education.

These communities will serve as platforms for collaboration among alliance members keen on funding initiatives under the different themes. In joining each community, members will contribute their knowledge, resources and capital towards achieving shared goals, with the aim of scaling impact more effectively and quickly across geographies.

"This initiative aims to enable members with shared interests to build on each other's expertise and resources, and combine their capital to fund a portfolio of high-impact projects," said the alliance.

PAA has more than 80 members and partners, including international organisations such as Dalio Philanthropies and Bloomberg Philanthropies, as well as local ones such as DBS Foundation. Alliance members contribute funding, while partners deliver and implement various impact projects.

The three communities will be introduced during the Philanthropy Asia Summit - PAA's flagship programme taking place from April 15 to 18 at Marina Bay Sands.