Adessium Foundation

Enriched Philanthropic Network · Found: 2026-03-10 13:22

Dutch philanthropic foundation supporting nature conservation, including marine and ocean protection programs. Funds NGOs working on sustainable fisheries and marine ecosystem protection in Europe.

Source: https://adessium.org/

Funding Details

Funder

Adessium Foundation

Funding Goal

To strengthen organizations contributing to a free, sustainable, and just society, with a focus on healthy ecosystems (including marine conservation), an informed society, and equal opportunities for all — primarily in the Netherlands and Europe.

Funding Amount

Not publicly specified per grant. Total annual disbursement was €16.6 million across 98 organizations in 2024 (average ~€169,000/org). Grants are predominantly multi-year.

How to Apply

Invitation-only. Program managers proactively identify partners. Once invited: (1) Introduction meeting & project visit, (2) Concept note assessment with feedback, (3) Full proposal submission, (4) Governance/ANBI compliance review, (5) Grant agreement & contract, (6) Monitoring with progress updates, (7) End-of-contract evaluation. Unsolicited applications are not accepted.

Target Region

Netherlands and Europe; Mediterranean Sea for marine programs

Contact

Email: info@adessium.org | Phone: +31 182 646100 | Nature & Living Environment Program Managers: Nina Koopman and Loïs Schotanus | Address: Reeuwijk, Netherlands

Last Checked

2026-03-11 18:13

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Organization must be formally invited by an Adessium program manager — no unsolicited applications are considered
• Applicant must be an ANBI-registered organization (Dutch tax-exempt status) or demonstrate equivalent governance standards

Project Scope

• Project must fall within one of three program areas: Informed Society, Nature & Living Environment, or Solidarity & Just Society
• Nature & Living Environment projects should address: rewilding/habitat in Netherlands, healthy living environment, or Mediterranean marine ecosystem restoration

Required Documents

• Submit a concept note as the first formal step after invitation; full proposal follows only after concept note is approved
• Provide governance documentation demonstrating compliance with ANBI or equivalent good governance standards

Constraints

• Grants are primarily multi-year; short-term one-off project funding is atypical for this funder
• Foundation has a limited budget and funds a small number of partners per year (~98 in 2024); competition is selective and largely relationship-driven

Summary

Adessium Foundation is an independent Dutch philanthropic foundation established in 2005, headquartered in Reeuwijk, Netherlands. It provides grants, strategic advice, and network access to non-profit organizations working across three core program areas: Informed Society, Nature & Living Environment, and Solidarity & Just Society. In 2024, the foundation distributed €16.6 million to 98 partner organizations, with 90% of grants structured as multi-year commitments and 47% directed to Netherlands-based initiatives. The Nature & Living Environment program is the most relevant strand for conservation work. It encompasses three sub-themes: More Nature in the Netherlands (rewilding and habitat expansion), Healthy Living Environment (clean air, water, and soil), and the Resilient Mediterranean Sea initiative. The Mediterranean program specifically supports marine protected areas (with a goal of protecting 30% of the sea), sustainable fisheries, policy transparency, and coalition building. Current grantees in this area include Global Fishing Watch, Marilles Foundation, MedReAct, and Med Sea Alliance. A critical constraint is that Adessium does not accept unsolicited proposals. Program managers proactively scan the field and invite organizations to apply based on strategic fit. When invited, applicants go through a structured seven-step process: introduction, assessment (including concept note feedback), full application, governance review (ANBI compliance), grant agreement, monitoring, and evaluation. The foundation requires good governance standards and operates on a partnership model emphasizing mutual trust and transparency. While the foundation funds marine conservation, its oceanic focus is concentrated on the Mediterranean Sea — not the North Sea or Baltic Sea. The terrestrial nature program is Netherlands-centric. There is no evidence of programming related to plastic waste, circular economy, or waste recycling. Organizations outside the Mediterranean or Dutch context, or working in plastic/circular economy topics, have limited alignment with current Adessium strategies.

Historical Context

Foundation established in 2005. Annual disbursement in 2024: €16.6 million to 98 organizations. 90% of grants are multi-year. The Mediterranean program is an ongoing strategic priority with established grantee relationships.

Why it was added

European philanthropic funder with marine conservation portfolio; supports ocean NGOs

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