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Friends of the Earth Europe campaigns for sustainable and just societies and for the protection of the environment, unites more than 30 national organisations with thousands of local groups and is part of the world's largest grassroots environmental network, Friends of the Earth International

Who are we?

• the largest grassroots environmental network in Europe campaigning for sustainable solutions to benefit the planet, people and our common future
   
• united by a common belief in strong grassroots activism and effective national and international advocacy
   
• the European branch of Friends of the Earth International, the world's largest grassroots environmental network uniting 73 national member organisations and some 5,000 local activist groups on every continent

What does Friends of the Earth Europe do?

• promotes environmentally sustainable societies on the local, national, regional and global levels
   
• protects the earth against further deterioration and repair damage inflicted upon the environment by human activities and negligence
   
• preserves the earth's ecological, cultural and ethnic diversity
   
• increases public participation and democratic decision making. Greater democracy is both an end in itself and is vital to the protection of the environment and the sound management of natural resources
   
• achieves environmental, social, economic and political justice and equal access to resources and opportunities for men and women on the local, national, regional and international levels

How do we do it?

• influence European and EU policy and raises public awareness on environmental issues by providing institutions, media and the public with regular information via a wide range of campaigns, publications and events
   
• support the network with representation, advice and coordination in European and EU policy making, and sharing of knowledge, skills, tools and resources
   
• enable people to participate in its international campaigns through local activist groups and national organisations in more than 30 European countries

What are our core values?

• Ecological and cultural diversity

• Peoples' sovereignty, human and peoples' rights

• Equity and environmental, social, economic and gender justice

• The intrinsic value of nature and the inextricable link between nature and people

• Participatory democracy and other forms of participatory decision making processes

• Solidarity, responsibility and human dignity

Our vision is of a peaceful and sustainable world based on societies living in harmony with nature. We envision a society of interdependent people living in dignity, wholeness and fulfilment where equity and human and peoples' rights are realized.

This will be a society built upon peoples' sovereignty and participation. It will be founded on social, economic, gender and environmental justice and free from all forms of domination and exploitation, such as neoliberalism, corporate globalization, neo-colonialism and militarism.

What is the vision for the network?

Friends of the Earth International is a worldwide grassroots environmental network campaigning for an ecologically sustainable, just and peaceful world. We are a vibrant, credible and effective federation, driving social transformation and securing sustainable, gender just and equitable societies.

Our strength comes from our solidarity, passion, and shared beliefs. We respect each other and value our diversity. We inspire and bring about change by living according to our values, and we learn from our experiences. In turn, we are inspired by successful campaigns and strengthened by the friendships and alliances we forge.

We believe that our children's future will be better because of what we do.

• To collectively ensure environmental and social justice, human dignity, and respect for human rights and peoples' rights so as to secure sustainable societies.

• To halt and reverse environmental degradation and depletion of natural resources, nurture the earth's ecological and cultural diversity, and secure sustainable livelihoods.

• To secure the empowerment of indigenous peoples, local communities, women, groups and individuals, and to ensure public participation in decision making.

• To bring about transformation towards sustainability and equity between and within societies with creative approaches and solutions.

• To engage in vibrant campaigns, raise awareness, mobilize people and build alliances with diverse movements, linking grassroots, national and global struggles.

• To inspire one another and to harness, strengthen and complement each other's capacities, living the change we wish to see and working together in solidarity.

Registration of Friends of the Earth Europe's interests

Friends of the Earth Europe is registered on the European Commission's register of interest representatives. Our entry can be found here.


Friends of the Earth Europe's financial information – 2008

Friends of the Earth Europe's funders

EU DG Environment, EU DG Employment and Social Affairs, EU DG Development, Germany: Ministry of Environment, Netherlands: Ministry of Environment, Friends of the Earth International, Friends of the Earth EWNI, Milieudefensie, Global 2000, OAK Foundation, James M Goldsmith Foundation, Heinrich Boell Foundation, Isvara Foundation, European Climate Foundation, CEE Bankwatch, Sigrid Rausing Trust, SOMO, Humanitarian Group for Social Development,  Wetlands International, Oxfam, Stichting Natuur en Milieu, Misereor. 

For a full overview of amounts please consult our entry to the European Commission's register of interest representatives which can be found here.