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The XXI Associations

Empowering Mallorca’s Heritage
Through Community-Led Conservation

The XXI associations—Tramuntana XXI, Palma XXI, and Pla de Mallorca XXI—are nonprofit organizations committed to conserving and regenerating Mallorca's diverse cultural and natural environments. Each association focuses on a unique geographic and cultural landscape within the island, working from a triple perspective: understanding the past, analyzing the present, and making future proposals to preserve the historical, environmental, economic, and social heritage of their territories. While their specific goals and daily activities vary, the three

organizations share a core vision of sustainable, community-led management that respects and elevates Mallorca's cultural heritage and natural landscapes. Recognizing the diverse interests of all sectors, the associations seek to foster dialogue among stakeholders, even when interests conflict. The Fundació Iniciatives del Mediterrani (FIM) has been a key partner to these associations since their inception, offering invaluable support in various areas, from covering operational costs to providing human and material resources.

Tramuntana XXI

Guardians of the Serra de Tramuntana

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Tramuntana XXI was founded to address the unique environmental and cultural challenges facing the Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich biodiversity, dramatic landscapes, and centuries-old agricultural traditions. The association aims to protect and regenerate this mountain range, recognizing it as a natural and cultural treasure that plays an integral role in Mallorca's identity. Tramuntana XXI works with landowners, policymakers, local communities, and environmental experts to develop sustainable land management practices that balance the needs of agriculture, tourism, and conservation.

One of Tramuntana XXI's landmark initiatives is the creation of a Sustainable Land Management Advisory Service, a program designed to assist local landowners in adopting regenerative agricultural practices. 

The program Regenerative Renaissance, is a fully planned project designed to address the critical conservation challenges facing the Serra de Tramuntana, a symbol of cultural and ecological richness in the Balearic Islands. The abandonment of agricultural estates and traditional forest management, driven by management difficulties and lack of profitability, has led to landscape neglect, increased climate change risks, and the loss of the region’s traditional wealth. This project, the culmination of over a decade of efforts by the Mediterranean Initiatives Foundation and Tramuntana XXI, aims to reconnect the community with the cultural and natural heritage of the Serra through innovative, sustainable solutions

Tramuntana XXI has also been a strong advocate for policy changes, such as the
Tramuntana Protection Act, which aims to streamline conservation efforts across municipalities and establish a unified regulatory framework for land management in the region.

FIM has been instrumental in supporting Tramuntana XXI’s objectives, providing resources for research, project development, strategic communications, and day-to-day operations. This partnership allows Tramuntana XXI to focus on achieving long-term ecological and economic sustainability for the region, working towards a future where the Serra de Tramuntana remains both a vibrant natural environment and a living cultural landscape.

Palma XXI

Preserving the Soul of Palma

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Palma XXI is dedicated to the preservation and sustainable development of the , Balearic Islands’ capital and largest city. As Palma faces increasing pressures from urbanization, tourism, and climate change, Palma XXI works to ensure that the city’s growth aligns with principles of sustainability and respect for its historical and cultural heritage. The association brings together architects, historians, urban planners, and local residents to advocate for policies that protect Palma’s architectural legacy and promote a balanced urban development model that prioritizes livability and environmental health.

One of Palma XXI’s core activities is its Gentrification Observatory
Program aims to prevent the unchecked gentrication of Palma’s neighborhoods, which often leads to the displacementof long-standing communities and the erosion of local culture. Palma XXI also advocates for sustainable tourism practices, working closely with the local government to develop guidelines that mitigate the environmental and social impacts of mass tourism in the city.


Palma XXI also develops the Cities' Climate Change Adaptation Program, through which it aims to study the impacts of climate change on cities (heat waves, heavy rainstorms, oods, etc.) and the measures that public institutions and civil society organizations undertake to mitigate these effects. The program currently focuses on Paris and Palma.

FIM’s support enables Palma XXI to focus on these impactful projects by covering operational costs, facilitating networking opportunities, and providing consulting and communication services. This support structure has empowered Palma XXI to play a signicant role in urban planning and cultural preservation, ensuring that Palma’s development reflects the values of its residents and honors its historical character.

Pla de Mallorca XXI

Revitalizing the Heart of Mallorca

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Pla de Mallorca XXI centers its work on the Pla region, a rural expanse known for its fertile agricultural lands, traditional architecture, and deep-rooted customs. This area represents the agricultural heart of Mallorca, where fields of wheat, vineyards, and olive groves form a living testament to centuries of sustainable farming practices. However, like many rural areas, the Pla faces signicant challenges, including land abandonment, loss of agricultural knowledge, and a lack of economic opportunities for younger generations.

The association Pla de Mallorca XXI works to highlight citizen, business, and innovative initiatives in the region, typically associated with agriculture and folklore. The Gent del Pla project is an annual initiative designed to bring together individuals and initiatives from the Pla de Mallorca region, facilitating the exchange of ideas and fostering collaboration.

The association also works to influence the region's tourism development model, making proposals to turn the Pla into a laboratory of best tourism practices, based on sustainability and circular economy principles. Along these lines, it has promoted the Environmental Project of the Tourism Sector of the Pla de Mallorca: an initiative launched by Pla de Mallorca XXI and ALCAIB, with the support of the Pla de Mallorca “Mancommunity”, the Consell de Mallorca, and the Government of the Balearic

Islands. Its objective is to promote sustainability and environmental responsibility in tourism establishments inthe Pla, by creating a practical and accessible tool that allows them to assess, manage, and improve their environmental sustainability through indicators of sustainable production and consumption, as well as other best practices that help reduce the sector's environmental impact.

Through its partnership with FIM, Pla de Mallorca XXI has been able to scale these initiatives and deepen its impact. FIM provides financial support for program costs and helps connect Pla de Mallorca XXI with other organizations and experts in rural development, allowing the association to bring new ideas and resources to the region. Together, they work towards a vision of a thriving, sustainable Pla where agricultural practices honor the land and cultural heritage is preserved for future generations.

FIM’s Vision
Nurturing Civil Society
and Enabling Sustainable
Change

The Fundació Iniciatives del Mediterrani (FIM) was established with a clear vision: to empower civil society organizations like Tramuntana XXI, Palma XXI, and Pla de Mallorca XXI to become catalysts for sustainable change. FIM believes that effective conservation and regeneration efforts start with the communities who live within and rely on these environments. By supporting these associations, FIM not only helps protect Mallorca’s landscapes and cultural heritage but also fosters a deeper connection between people and the land they inhabit.FIM’s approach to supporting the XXI associations is multi-faceted.

In addition to covering essential operational costs, FIM provides consulting and mentoring services tailored to the specific needs of each association. FIM’s team of experts offers guidance on
project management, fundraising, strategic planning and communications, and stakeholder engagement, helping the associations refine their approaches and maximize their impact.

FIM also facilitates access to a network of specialists in environmental conservation, urban planning, and rural development, ensuring that the associations have the resources and expertise needed to tackle complex challenges.

FIM aims to build a resilient network of civil society organizations advocating for sustainable policies across Mallorca. By supporting Tramuntana XXI, Palma XXI, and Pla de Mallorca XXI, FIM promotes a model of community-led environmental stewardship that safeguards Mallorca's natural and cultural heritage while supporting sustainable development centered on local well-being. Through its partnerships, FIM envisions a future where civil society plays a key role in shaping policies to keep Mallorca a sustainable, vibrant home for generations, blending grassroots knowledge with strategic expertise to protect and regenerate the island’s cherished landscapes and hopefully inspire regions beyond our borders.