Biodiversity lies at the heart of life on Earth, sustaining ecosystems and providing the natural resources and services upon which societies depend for sustainable development.

Yet human pressures, from intensive farming to urban growth, alongside pollution and climate change, are accelerating biodiversity loss worldwide. However, philanthropic funding for environmental conservation remains limited.

The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, through its Sustainability and Equity programme and in collaboration with the Armenian Communities Department, launches the Gulbenkian Natural Heritage initiative. It aims to bring greater visibility to the Foundation’s longstanding efforts in nature conservation and biodiversity protection, and also strengthen its future commitment to these areas, both in Portugal and Armenia.

Convention on Biological Diversity COP17

The 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17) will be held in Yerevan, Armenia, in October 2026. This provides a great opportunity to build bridges between Portugal and Armenia through the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

Building on the historical and emotional bond with the Armenian identity of its founder, Calouste Sarkis Gulbenkian, and inspired by the deep love of nature that defined his life, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation seeks to broaden its impact in the sustainability field through a series of actions designed to address strategic objectives and identified needs in both countries.

Key Objectives

Between 2026 and 2027, the Gulbenkian Natural Heritage initiative aims to:

• Advance environmental literacy and strengthen nature communication, helping to raise public awareness of the importance of protecting biodiversity.
• Encourage knowledge creation and scientific research in this field, while promoting the sharing of experience and collaboration among students, researchers and civil society organisations.
• Develop and strengthen new philanthropic approaches to ecological conservation and restoration, while encouraging reflection on the role foundations can play in helping to close the current funding gap.
• Celebrate the Foundation’s natural heritage, particularly the Gulbenkian Garden, by emphasising its ecological importance and broader value within the city of Lisbon, while honouring the founder’s passion for nature, which has guided the Foundation’s work in this field over the past 70 years.

In addition to participating in CBD COP17 through the organisation and co-organisation of several events both within and outside the conference venue, the initiative will also encompass:

• The launch of the documentary Guardians of Natural Heritage, portraying the work of eight environmental organisations in Portugal;
• The launch of a university scholarship programme for Armenian students and researchers in Environmental Sciences;
• The translation of the important publication Lá Fora. Guia para Descobrir a Natureza from Portuguese to Armenian aimed at enhancing knowledge about nature amongst teens and students;
• A new edition of the Foundation’s core funding call for Portuguese environmental organisations;
• Facilitating the preparation of an informative television emission in Portugal about Armenia, that encourages connections with Portugal through the lens of nature and biodiversity;
• A comprehensive review of the support provided by the Foundation in these areas since 1956;
• Peer-learning programmes for environmental NGOs in Portugal and Armenia;
• Dedicated educational activities in and the production of a documentary dedicated to the Gulbenkian Garden.

The environment-related programming of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation is spearheaded by the Sustainability Programme. The Armenian Communities Department has also supported some initiatives in Armenia over the past few years.