On the evening of 17 September, the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation hosted its 13th annual charity dinner at the Stelios Foundation Conference Hall in Monaco, welcoming more than 60 leading philanthropists and environmental supporters…
Held under the High Patronage of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco and in partnership with WWF International and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), the gala reaffirmed the Principality’s role as a hub for high-impact environmental philanthropy.
During the evening, guests heard from Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, Dr Kirsten Schuijt, Director General of WWF International, and HSH Prince Albert II, who each highlighted the urgent need to safeguard the Mediterranean’s fragile marine biodiversity. A lively charity auction complemented donations for dinner seats, with all contributions matched euro-for-euro by the Stelios Foundation to double their impact.
By the close of the evening, a record €570,000 had been raised for marine conservation, bringing the cumulative total generated by these annual dinners to around €3.5 million. The funds will be shared equally between WWF International and FPA2 to support projects protecting dolphins, turtles, monk seals and the wider Mediterranean ecosystem.
Sir Stelios said the matching system ensures “every euro given goes twice as far,” while Dr Schuijt emphasised that the Mediterranean is both one of the world’s richest and most threatened seas. The event also underscored Monaco’s unique position as a convening place for global philanthropy, blending its maritime heritage with an international network of donors.
With its combination of leadership from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and support from WWF, the Stelios dinner has become a flagship example of how the Principality can leverage private generosity to deliver measurable conservation results across the region.
