Impact Mainau

A Space for Clarity, Trust, and Meaningful Dialogue

Initiated by the Bernadotte Family and The Families for Nature Foundation

In a complex, volatile, and busy world - one that often lacks genuine understanding and honest dialogue - we create an exclusive space on Mainau Island where trust, clarity, orientation, and appreciation can flourish. Here, we think long-term, speak openly, learn from each another, share experiences, and strive to understand different perspectives. We intentionally draw inspiration from a broad range of fields: business, politics, and society, as well as nature, art, music, literature, and history. Through this diversity of viewpoints, we shape concrete, impactful actions and take responsibility for both society and nature. Mainau becomes a place where ideas grow into action and where responsibility is not only discussed but lived.

Who We Address

We bring together experienced entrepreneurs, influential families, and committed individuals who are ready to take responsibility and turn ideas into action.

Our Approach

Impact Mainau convenes a series of highly curated workshops focused on one carefully selected challenge at a time.

Each workshop brings together a small group of leading experts, decision-makers, entrepreneurs, scientists, investors, philanthropists and practitioners with complementary perspectives and the ability to create change.

Every gathering is carefully prepared beforehand through research and individual conversations. Following each workshop, we continue working with participants to develop concrete collaborations, pilot projects and next steps.

Our current focus is on one of the defining challenges for both democracy, nature and climate: countering misinformation and disinformation in the age of artificial intelligence and social media. We are bringing together experts from technology, science, media, policy, philanthropy and civil society to identify practical solutions that strengthen trustworthy information ecosystems.

The Spirit of Mainau

As early as 1961 - fifteen years before the first governmental environmental laws and eleven years before the report of the Club of Rome - Count Lennart Bernadotte was already a pioneer in environmental protection and a committed patron of science with the Green Charter of Mainau. In light of today's economic, geopolitical, and societal challenges, we once again need values-driven pioneers - individuals who are as steadfast and forward-looking as Count Lennart Bernadotte was in his time. Impact Mainau was founded in this very spirit.

'The Island of Mainau has always been a place for open dialogue and visionary ideas. With Impact Mainau, I wish to carry this responsibility and tradition forward and, together with our network, help shape a regenerative and responsible economy.'

Björn Count Bernadotte Initiator and President, Impact Mainau