Together possible – for a living planet
At WWF, we are convinced that we can only tackle the enormous challenges facing our planet and our civilisation by working together – across sectors, borders, people and organisations. Everything we do and achieve is thanks to partnerships – with the public and private sector, civil society and science, fellow WWF organisations and individuals. The changes we want to see in the world can only come about through the efforts of many actors: local communities, national and multinational corporations, governments and NGOs, finance institutions and development agencies, consumers and researchers.
Together possible – with the corporate sector
We develope corporate relationships that not only support regional environmental protection projects, but also drive sustainable business practices. WWF seeks to work with those who have the greatest potential to reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth and together find solutions to conservation challenges such as deforestation, water scarcity and climate change. The corporate sector drives much of the global economy, so we consider that companies also have a specific responsibility to ensure that the natural resources and ecosystems that underpin their business are used sustainably. Companies are also primed to lead on rapid adaptation and on innovative solutions needed to drive change.
WWF-CEE COOPERATION HIGHLIGhTS:
- Our long-term partnership with IKEA focused on promoting sustainable forest management and the protection of our region’s most valuable forests, as well as the local communities and biodiversity that depend on them. WWF and IKEA worked together to increase the area of responsibly-managed forest; identify, map and protect old-growth forest; support forest managers and communities to achieve FSC certification; and push for improved forest management legislation and policy. This cooperation has proved instrumental in driving uptake of FSC in our region. WWF relies on partners like IKEA for their influence and leadership in shaping better business and market practices in the global forest industry. IKEA’s cooperation strengthens FSC credibility and increases the market availability of FSC products; whereas IKEA relies on WWF for expertise and credibility in delivering its sustainability commitments.
- The Coca-Cola System’s commitment to replacing or replenishing the water that it uses in its products has mobilised financial support for wetland restoration at ten sites across our region. The Living Danube Partnership is a unique, cross‑sectoral partnership that has brought together WWF‑CEE, The Coca‑Cola Foundation and the Coca‑Cola system as well as the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) to promote the conservation and restoration of wetlands in the Danube basin. Supported by a USD 4.4 million (EUR 3.73 million) grant from The Coca‑Cola Foundation, the eight‑year partnership has sought to restore vital wetlands, rivers and floodplains along the River Danube and its tributaries, aiming to increase the river capacity and to restore valuable wetland habitat.
- WWF and Mondi Group promoted responsible forestry, water stewardship and sustainable packaging in the paper sector through its global strategic partnership. In Bulgaria, the partnership has helped achieve FSC certification for 150.000 hectares of State-owned forest. With Mondi’s support, WWF-Bulgaria has mapped high conservation value forests, carried out social impact surveys and provided training and capacity-building for foresters.
Together possible – with WWF partners
WWF-Austria, -Belgium, -Germany, -Sweden, -Netherlands and -Poland not only provide valuable financial and strategic support, but also cooperate closely with us on a range of issues including ecological connectivity, wildlife, large carnivores, and illegal logging and wetland restoration. The WWF European Policy Office (WWF-EPO) supported us through representation, monitoring and engagement with EU institutions, and led pan-European advocacy to preserve the EU Water Framework Directive, the cornerstone of our efforts to conserve and restore rivers and wetlands in our region. The establishment of the five-country Biosphere Reserve Mura-Drava-Danube recognized by UNESCO became reality through close co-operation with WWF-Adria.
Together possible – with CEE CITIZENS
Our achievements underlined the critical importance of individual people for our work. Nearly 1 million of Slovak citizens signed a petition to halt wolf hunting in 2019. In Romania around 3 million people protested against government efforts to weaken protection for bears. Bulgarian citizens continued to be active in the fight to save Pirin National Park. In Ukraine, volunteer Forest Watchers helped us to protect old- growth forests while volunteer Sturgeon Watchers helped authorities to stop poaching of these critically threatened species.
