The European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) is delighted to announce that, thanks to the continued support of all of its members, and due to the extraordinary fundraising activities they have carried out during 2020 and 2021, EOCA has been able to fund more projects this year than ever before. In total nearly €400,000 has been committed to 14 projects in 11 different countries, all tackling the joint issues of the loss of biodiversity and climate change. In addition, four individual members have each funded further projects via EOCA.
EOCA hosts two funding rounds each year, during which time, not-for-profit organisations are invited to apply for funding of up to €30,000. This year, in addition, EOCA invited some previously funded projects to apply for further funding up to the value of €45,000. In total 501 applications were received.
During spring 2021, an online public vote and a separate private vote for EOCA members only were held to select six projects to fund. A second voting round was held in the autumn, and a further seven projects were selected. In addition, a Fundraiser Project was selected and appears on the EOCA website asking for donations from the public. Projects were selected from a shortlist created following scrutiny of all applications received against EOCA’s funding criteria and reviewed by a panel of independent scientific advisers. Details of all of the projects selected and receiving funding can be found here: https://www.eocaconservation.org/our-projects.cfm?pageid=17
The public and outdoor enthusiasts came out in force to support their favourite projects and in total, nearly 137,000 votes were received during the spring and autumn votes, more than in previous years. All the feedback from projects involved highlighted how useful and beneficial it was to be involved in this voting process, raising awareness of conservation issues, the work being done by conservation bodies and raising further support.
