Areas of interest

Sicily is a region of exceptional ecological value, shaped by ancient rural traditions, volcanic landscapes, and some of the Mediterranean’s most diverse coastal and marine environments. Beneath its well-known beauty lies a complex network of ecosystems: forests, high-altitude environments, karst areas and marine ecosystems, that host species found nowhere else.

Today, these natural systems face mounting pressures. Climate change and water scarcity are straining ecosystems and communities, while intensive agriculture and land-use expansion are degrading soils and disrupting habitat connectivity. Wildfires, invasive species, marine pollution, and biodiversity loss further threaten the island’s fragile ecological balance. Ineffective waste management and mass tourism intensify these challenges.

Across the island, local organisations and community groups are developing innovative, place-based solutions, yet they often lack the long-term, flexible funding needed to scale their impact. Sicily Environment Fund (SEF) aims to bridge this gap by partnering with and supporting these groups, advancing initiatives that strengthen climate resilience, promote sustainable resource management, and safeguard Sicily’s unique natural heritage for future generations.

The Sicily Environment Fund supports projects in the following key areas: Marine conservation; Terrestrial conservation; Sustainable food systems; Ecological transition.