Association

European Green Belt Association e.V.

The European Green Belt Association e.V. is responsible for the governance of the European Green Belt Initiative. It was established during the 8th Pan-European Green Belt Conference in Slavonice (Czech Republic) in September 2014 by 23 organisations, GO and NGO, from 14 countries. The Association was officially registered in February 2015. Today, the European Green Belt Association counts 33 members from 17 countries.

The European Green Belt Association is a legal body provided with a mandate and legitimated to coordinate the transnational activities along the European Green Belt. The Association represents the initiative and facilitates learning and exchange within the European Green Belt Initiative. It also ensures continuous communication about common achievements, e.g. to different EU bodies, countries, potential donors and in regional and global networks. It is a member-driven organization and thus reflects best the principle of democratic participation that characterizes the collaboration along the European Green Belt.

According to the statutes the European Green Belt Association contributes to implementing the vision of the European Green Belt to conserve and restore the European Green Belt as our shared natural heritage along the line of the former Iron Curtain as an ecological network connecting high-value natural and cultural landscapes while respecting the economic, social and cultural needs of local communities.

The mission of the European Green Belt Association is to ensure that the European Green Belt is efficiently protected and that its sustainable development is promoted by facilitating an on-going, co-ordinated transboundary co-operation at all levels and across all sectors of society.

Programme of Work of the European Green Belt Association

The Programme of Work (PoW) defines the priorities for the European Green Belt Association for a period of two years. It is adopted by the members during the bi-annual Members Assembly.

Activities of the European Green Belt Association focus on the pan-European level in order to improve the effectiveness of collaboration along the European Green Belt, e.g. by further developing the conceptual and methodological approach of the European Green Belt. One aim is to render the European Green Belt into a recognized implementation mechanism for the diverse obligations the Green Belt countries have committed themselves to. Important components in that respect are linked to Natura 2000 and Green Infrastructure.

To be successful in further developing these concepts and their implementation by the example of the European Green Belt the expertise and support of governmental and non-governmental organizations is needed likewise. The European Green Belt Association gives a frame for successful cooperation beyond institutional and country boundaries.