29th October 2026 – (Hong Kong) Splash Foundation has unveiled its first international partnership, securing a grant from the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation to deliver fully funded learn‑to‑swim programmes this autumn for 40 youths aged eight to eighteen from low‑income households across the city. The collaboration aligns a local leader in inclusive aquatic education with a global champion of drowning prevention to expand access to life‑saving water skills.
The two organisations framed the initiative as both practical training and a confidence‑building pathway for young people who have limited opportunities to learn in safe, structured settings. Splash said the curriculum will focus on essential water safety competencies and progressive swim instruction designed to foster resilience, self‑esteem and social connection that endures beyond the pool.
Global and local data underscore the need for such interventions. The Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll found that a majority of adults worldwide—about 55 per cent—cannot swim unassisted, highlighting the scale of water illiteracy as a public‑safety issue. In Hong Kong, research published by Baptist University has indicated that nearly half—around 47 per cent—of secondary school students lack basic swimming ability, pointing to persistent gaps in access and instruction.
Anne Boggio, Chief Executive of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, said the partnership places water safety and drowning prevention at the forefront of a shared mission and will empower local youths with vital skills and confidence. Libby Alexander, Chief Executive and Co‑Founder of Splash Foundation, said the grant directly equips 40 children and teenagers with a life skill while signalling a broader vision in which every community, regardless of background, can enjoy safe and joyful access to the water.