Wildlife Conservation Society EU

WCS EU was established to engage with EU institutions, European governments and organisations, in support of global conservation. WCS EU aims to influence EU policy and funding initiatives and develop partnerships for conservation impact. It draws upon WCS’s global field and scientific expertise to articulate scientifically-based policy positions and facilitate the development and implementation of conservation projects. WCS is present in over 60 countries and has experience helping to establish, expand or manage over 550 protected areas. It applies biological knowledge, scientific expertise and cultural understanding to ensure that wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities.

Mission

The mission of WCS EU is to save wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. The following objectives are taken from our official statutes: 4.1.1 Saving wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. 4.1.2 Protecting and conserving of the natural environment, its flora and fauna including by undertaking innovative approaches thereto. 4.1.3 Educating and instructing the public.

Geographic Focus

Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Pacific

Programme Areas

WCS EU is working to influence EU policy and funding initiatives that impact biodiversity conservation in the global south. Major areas of interest include: protected areas, tackling deforestation and forest degradation, wildlife trade and trafficking, implementing One Health initiatives, marine and ocean conservation, biodiversity finance and integrating wildlife protection into EU development aid programmes. WCS EU is involved in a number of projects funded through public grants related to the conservation or sustainable use of biodiversity, including the EU-funded Sustainable Wildlife Management programme (SWM), the EU-funded Niassa special reserve project, and the UK government-funded Forest Governance, Markets and Climate (FGMC) programme.