In 2019, in the wake of numerous environmental alerts and threats to the precious Ionian Islands, a group of concerned residents (including some from North Corfu) collaborated to establish the Ionian Environment Foundation.

A clear mission was devised, based on the successful model of the Conservation Collective, to raise funds that can be channelled directly to projects aiming to restore and protect the seas and land of the region. We collaborate with environmental specialists and local action groups to formulate the most effective, impactful and long lasting projects, with a focus on changing mindsets and building resilience.

Nick Cookson and Nick Lemis set up the Albania Overboard Swim event at the start of our journey with the aim of kick starting our funds and ability to get going with actioning our environmental campaigns.

Since then, we have raised over £200K and supported over 18 projects across the islands. As our reach and influence expands over time, our ability to action impactful projects and results increases.

Some examples of our projects:

Waste Awareness Action Week programme for schools -

We supported the development of this educational programme for children with the strong belief that the inclusion of waste awareness issues in schools across Greece is critical because only then will the populations of these islands be made up of people who make sustainable waste management part of their daily routine.

Pick the Alien Species and Eat Responsibly -

We support iSea in their mission to address the negative impacts of the invasive species on marine ecology and biodiversity through awareness-raising collaborations with fishermen, restaurant owners and the general public.

The Erimitis Campaign -

This continues to be a flagship example of how the IEF supports and advocates the need to speak out against unsustainable development across the precious Ionian islands and instead to promote conservation and tourism that treads more lightly on the environment.

The Ionian Dolphin Project -

This is a well recognised and well established project within the Tethys Institute and our collaboration with them fits well into a broader IEF aim of building trust, relationships and conservation actions within the fishing communities of the Ionian islands.

For more details about the diverse projects we support visit our website .

This is an exciting time for the IEF. An ever-increasing number of local groups call on us for support with their environmental endeavours which we are able to facilitate whilst also encouraging them to work together for scalable, long lasting impacts.

We would like to see the Albania OverBoard event take place every year to continue raising awareness and appreciation of these precious seas and spectacular natural environment and to raise and channel funds to protect and preserve it for future generations.

To sign up and swim, or to find out more about Albania Overboard and their mission - click HERE.