With record numbers of applications this year for the European Outdoor Conservation Association’s (EOCA) funding round, the association is now asking the public to get involved in helping decide which conservation projects to support in 2012.
Following a total of 31,000 votes across Europe last year and 74 application for funding this year, EOCA is again working with several magazines, which will be showcasing the shortlisted projects and asking readers to choose the projects they feel are most deserving of funding.
Divided into 3 categories nature, outdoor and alpine, the public will be able to vote for one project in each category during March, with the results being announced online during April, and officially announced, along with projects chosen by EOCA members, at the OutDoor show in Friedrichshafen in July. With 100% of funds raised through trade shows and membership fees going directly into conservation projects, EOCA and its members also hope by the summer show to be able to announce the raising of its first €1 million since its inception just 6 years ago.
EOCA was formed by companies in the European outdoor industry in 2005 to fund conservation projects worldwide. Members include executives from Bluesign, Keen, Nikwax, Vaude and Mark Held, general secretary for the European Outdoor Group, which represents outdoor vendors in Europe.
