News

The Gérard Basset Foundation Reveals 2023 Grant Recipients

The Gérard Basset Foundation which supports the Wine Travel Awards in the Ambassador nomination joyfully discloses the allocation of funding for eighteen novel grants, recognizing Grantees situated in 11 distinct countries spanning 5 continents.

Established in 2021, the Foundation’s mission is to financially back educational and professional initiatives concentrating on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the wine, spirits, and hospitality sectors.

Dedicated to elevating career prospects for its beneficiaries, the Foundation earmarks support for commendable programs addressing a myriad of communities, encompassing cultural and socioeconomic diversity, ethnic diversity, religious diversity, gender diversity, sexual orientation diversity, and disability diversity.

Lulie Halstead, interim CEO of the Gérard Basset Foundation, expresses her gratitude, stating, “Through our latest round of grantee funding, over 300 individuals will be empowered to advance their skills and employment opportunities.”

The Foundation is enthusiastic about collaborating with new grantee partners, extending aid to students in Zimbabwe pursuing ASI qualifications, Latinx students undergoing a 17-week wine-focused course in the United States, South African WSET Diploma students hailing from historically marginalized communities, and diverse student populations in West Bengal, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. Moreover, the Foundation is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities in attaining employment opportunities and qualifications in London.

Complementing its scholarship initiative, the Foundation extends annual grants to a diverse array of entities, ranging from grassroots nonprofits to globally renowned research institutions. While the Foundation’s scholarships predominantly assist those pursuing advanced qualifications, the grantee program caters to a broader spectrum of communities and individuals in the early stages of their careers.

The esteemed recipients of the latest grants include:

  • The 280 Project, United States
  • AHIVOY (Asociación Hispana de la Industria del Vino en Oregon y Comunidad), United States (First-time grantee)
  • Be Inclusive Hospitality, United Kingdom
  • Bordeaux Mentor Week, France
  • Celebrare, Brazil
  • Curious Vines, United Kingdom
  • EduVino, Mexico and the Dominican Republic (First-time grantee, first-time supporting grantees in Mexico and the Dominican Republic)
  • Hue Society, United States and South Africa
  • IWEC, South Africa (First-time grantee)
  • KEDGE Wine School “World Somm” course, France
  • Pebbles Project, South Africa
  • Pinotage Youth Development Academy (PYDA), South Africa
  • Sommelier Education for Zimbabwe – in partnership with ASI (Association de la Sommellerie Internationale), the Sommeliers Academy, and the Sommeliers Association of Zimbabwe (First-ever grantee in Zimbabwe)
  • Sunburst Vin, India (First-ever grantee in India)
  • UC Davis “Broadening Horizons” program, United States
  • Unity Works, United Kingdom (First-time grantee)
  • Vinequity, Canada (First-time grantee)
  • Wine & Spirit Professional Centre, Greece

Romané Basset, co-founder and trustee of the Gérard Basset Foundation, expresses delight in supporting the endeavors of their grantees worldwide. From leading research institutions to grassroots community organizers, the Foundation takes pride in allocating funding to 18 new grants, steadfast in fulfilling its mandate to foster fairness, inclusivity, and equity within the wine, spirits, and hospitality industries.

Photos: @gerardbassetfoundation