WWF 60th Anniversary - “Together We Can” Campaign in CEE

The ‘Together We Can’ campaign is a part of the 60th anniversary engagement actions of WWF around the globe. It highlights some of the major achievements our WWF community has accomplished over the last 60 years globally and also what we have achieved regionally here, during the last 30 years in Central and Eastern Europe. This was only possible thanks to the support of and cooperation with local communities, civil society organisations, scientists and experts, relevant authorities and businesses as well as the support of very many individual people, volunteers and donors. We are committed to continuing our quest to achieve harmony between nature and people, also here in the Green Heart of Europe. We will continue our work with your support, for the benefit of people and nature. Let us invite you to learn more about what we have already achieved together, and about some of the challenges and opportunities still facing us. Enjoy the journey!

 

EXPLORE THE STORIES OF PEOPLE AND NATURE THAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED WITH YOUR SUPPORT

 

IN Central and Eastern Europe ...

With your support ...

We have reintroduced 91 European bison to the Southwest Carpathians, and in consequence, 38 bison calves were born in the wild.

But ...

We still have some way to go to reach our vision of having 500 European bison roaming freely in the Southwest Carpathians.

Together we will change this!

READ MORE ...

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Image: © Dan Berciu

Image: © Daniel Mirlea

 

 

 

With your support ....

We have helped identify and secure protection for 320,000 hectares of virgin and old growth forests in Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, and Ukraine.

But ....

WWF is working to secure protection for the remaining 60,000 hectares of virgin and old growth forests in these countries that remain unprotected.

Together we will change this!

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Image: © Peter Barath

Image: © Mihai Constantineanu

     

With your support ....

We have removed 9 dams and weirs in Slovakia, Ukraine and Bulgaria showing how rivers and streams can be set free.

But ...

There are still hundreds of obsolete dams, weirs and other barriers waiting to be removed.

Together we will change this!

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Image: © WWF Ukraine

Image: © WWF Ukraine

 
     

With your support ....

We have created the Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve - the world's first and only 5-country Biosphere Reserve and Europe's largest riverine protected area.

But ...

Now we need to implement what is on paper. With local stakeholders and authorities, we need to ensure that the qualities of this area are further enhanced and provide a focus for a sustainable local economy.

Together we will change this!

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Image: © Ante Gugic

Image: © WWF

     

WITH YOUR SUPPORT ...

We have halted 6 hydropower projects in pristine rivers, and 2 flood protection infrastructure doing more damage than good for people and nature.

BUT ...

We need to continue to prevent similar projects from damaging our river ecosystems.

 

TOGETHER WE WILL CHANGE THIS!

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Image: © Jakub Krska

Image: © Jakub Krska

 

In Bulgaria ...

With your support ...

We won two court cases to protect Pirin National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, from illegal logging.

But ...

Populations of some of Pirin's precious wildlife, including mountain goats and golden eagles, are decreasing due to poaching.

Together we will change this!

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Image: © WWF Bulgaria

Image: © Alexander Ivanov

 

 

 

With your support ....

We restocked the Danube River with over 80,000 wild sturgeons.

But ....

These incredible fish are still on the brink of extinction due to poaching and habitat destruction. More action is needed.

Together we will change this!

READ MORE ...

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Image: © Evgeniy Polonskiy

Image: © WWF Bulgaria

 

 

 

With your support ....

We did the first-ever translocation of a “problematic” bear in Bulgaria in order to save it and its cubs.

But ....

We are still losing nearly 100 bears every year due to poaching.

Together we will change this!

READ MORE ...

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Image: © WWF Bulgaria

Image: © WWF Bulgaria

 

In Romania ...

With your support ...

Together with local communities and authorities, we have managed to protect as a natural heritage almost 44,000 hectares of virgin and quasi-virgin forests, some of which have been declared UNESCO World Heritage sites.

But ...

So far we have identified 65,000 ha of virgin and quasi-virgin forests, so there is still some way to go to secure all of these unique forests in Romania.

Together we will change this!

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Image: © James Morgan

Image: © WWF Romania

 

 

 

With your support ...

Together with local communities and authorities, we restored over 1,500 hectares of floodplain along the Danube River and in the Danube Delta.
 
 

But ...

Wetlands are vital ecosystems for humans and animals, but they are being destroyed at a rate three times faster than forests.

 

Together we will change this!

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Image: © WWF Romania

Image: © WWF Romania

 

 

 

With your support ...

We are building We Wilder in Armeniș, Caraș-Severin - Romania's first co-working hub in nature, around which 30 local families have developed tourism and catering businesses.

But ...

Investments in the bio-economy, green business or organic farming remain marginal, with rural communities not having the necessary support to capitalize on natural values ​​in a sustainable way.

Together we will change this!

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Image: © Răzvan Dima

Image: © Dan Dinu

 

IN SLOVAKIA ...

With your support ...

We helped establish the National Old-Growth Forest Nature reserve in Slovakia, covering 6,500 hectares.

But ...

Other valuable forests in our national parks are still missing adequate protection.

 

Together we will change this!

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Image: © Jerguš Tesák

Image: © Tomáš Hulík

 

 

 

With your support ...

The first river barrier in Slovakia was removed along the Hucava river.

But ...

We still aim for at least 250 km of free-flowing rivers in biodiversity valuable areas in Slovakia to contribute to the EU goal of 25,000 km of free-flowing rivers by 2030.

Together we will change this!

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Image: © Miro Očadlík

Image: © Martina Pauliková

 

 

 

With your support ...

WWF Slovakia and 30 partner organisations managed to secure the passage of a new legislation banning hunting of wolves in Slovakia as of 1 June 2021.

But ...

Large carnivores continue to be threatened not only by illegal hunting but also by increasing fragmentation and shrinkage of their habitats brought about by the construction of roads and other infrastructure.

Together we will change this!

READ MORE ...

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Image: © Tomas Hulik

Image: © Jerguš Tesák

 

IN HUNGARY ..

With your support ...

With the support of more than 70,000 people, in 2018 we succeeded in preserving the Csarna Valley and its natural ecosystems for future generations.

But ...

To protect our forests, we still have to establish a national park zonation system.

Together we will change this!

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Image: © Gálhidy László

Image: © Gálhidy László

 

 

 

With your support ...

In 2020, with the support of over 10,000 people and other organisations, we stopped damaging infrastructure investments on Hajógyári Island in Budapest.

But ...

Many inappropriate and damaging infrastructure projects are still being implemented, damaging nature and costing millions.

Together we will change this!

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Image: © Gruber Gergely

Image: © Ádám Szilvia

 

 

 

In UKRAINE ...

With your support ...

About 30 Ukrainian traditional highland farms peacefully coexist with large carnivores, thanks to our work of installing electric fences in their surroundings.

But ...

There are dozens of Carpathian farms that still have to find a way how to live in harmony with nature.

Together we will change this!

READ MORE ...

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Image: © Suzanna Tymochko

 Image: © Ivan Kolyadzhyn

 

 

 

With your support ...

...and the efforts of Ukrainian scientists and naturalists, for the first time we succeeded to collect comprehensive data on the habitats of endangered large carnivores - lynx and bear in Ukraine. We also identified priority areas for their protection and for doing more research.
 
 

But ...

A lot of territories, mainly old-growth forests, which are critically important for the survival of lynx and bear, are not protected from illegal logging and poachers.

 

Together we will change this!

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 Image: © Vasyl Derkiuk

 Image: © Mykhailo Franchuk

 

 

 

With your support ...

We developed national conservation plans for endangered large carnivores - lynx and bear, which were adopted at state level.

But ...

In order to protect and preserve these species, these plans must be fully implemented.

Together we will change this!

READ MORE ...

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 Image: © David Lawson

 Image: © Stephen Brkich

 

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS TOGETHER

Quiz about WWF

History OF WWF

WWF Brochure

Our commemorative publication offers a massive thank you to everyone who has been part of the WWF journey over the past 60 years! Read on to see how much we have achieved together with colleagues, partners and supporters – and insights on the many challenges still to be overcome.

 

HAVE A LOOK!

How much do you know about WWF's 60 years of action for people and nature?
 

 

Take our quiz to find out!

Our history includes such pivotal moments as protecting iconic species like pandas, tigers, rhinos and elephants as well as those that are less known like the river dolphins in Asia and Latin America and protecting the endangered Danube sturgeons by releasing thousands of baby sturgeons, securing the introduction of an indefinite moratorium on oil activities in Belize waters, and pioneering the debt-for-nature concept in Madagascar as a means to help preserve the country’s rich biodiversity. Explore the fascinating 60 years of history of nature conservation around the world!

 

FIND OUT MORE!