LONDON - Following its annual meeting of Trustees on the 28th February, the Mitsubishi Corporation Fund for Europe and Africa (MCFEA) has announced its funding programme for 2005.

Established in the UK in 1992, the MCFEA is primarily an educational charity. Its principle objective is to promote education and research in the fields of environmental protection and conservation, as well as poverty alleviation and social development.

The 2005 funding programme includes support of the following organisations:

Earthwatch Institute - The Earthwatch Institute is a non-confrontational environmental charity that promotes science and education as a means of achieving sustainable development. In the firm belief that a company's staff are its best ambassadors, the MCFEA has, since 1992, sent staff from Mitsubishi Corporation's European offices as volunteers to assist biologists, research doctors and specialists on conservation projects worldwide. Since 1998, the MCFEA has also supported the African Fellowships Programme which provides training for African scientists and conservationists in field techniques and how to conduct valuable research in the countries where they work. Both these areas of support will continue in 2005.

Botanic Gardens Conservation International - BGCI is a worldwide network of botanic gardens working on plant conservation and based in the world famous Kew Gardens in London. In an effort to conserve plant species, the BGCI disseminates information among its members, arranges international congresses and collectively holds a vast number of species in its seed banks. In addition to its membership of the Plant Charter Group, the MCFEA funded the Sustainability theme at the 2nd World Botanic Gardens Congress held in Barcelona in April 2004. The MCFEA is continuing its support of the PCG in 2005.

WaterAid - Since 2003, the MCFEA has supported WaterAid, an organisation dedicated to the provision of safe domestic water, sanitation and hygiene education to the world's poorest communities. In 2005, the MCFEA will continue its support by funding a project in Maputo, Mozambique, to help provide the infrastructure needed to improve the city's water supply and public sanitation.

The Society for Dolphin Conservation, Germany (Gesellschaft zur Rettung der Delphine (GRD)) - In 2003, the Trustees of the MCFEA began its support of GRD's Croatian Dolphin Project. Together with the Veterinary Faculty of the University of Zagreb, GRD has now established a local NGO in Croatia through which the valuable work on the conservation of dolphins in the Adriatic Sea continues. MCFEA support has so far helped the project organisers to purchase a much-needed vehicle and trailer to transport their equipment to the research sites. The funding programme in 2005 will help GRD to develop a research and outreach station on the Adriatic coast.

Mitsubishi Corporation European Corporate Centre

Mitsubishi Corporation European Corporate Centre

More from Mitsubishi Corporation European Corporate Centre