Our mission

In the area of the archeological park a swamped lake will be cleaned up and turn into a fish-pond.

Antal Szabó received support to extend his sheep livestock with female and male sheep for reproductive purposes. As the farm is surrounded by the grasslands of the Körös-Maros National Park, it is an excellent place for extensive sheep husbandry. The project also includes plan for utilizing the excrement of the animals.

Livestock numbers permanently growing in the subregion, thus, a modern, secure slaughterhouse is needed to serve the inner market. We supported a Feasibility Study about the reactivation of a closed, older slaughterhouse.

The NATO radar station, the construction of which at the Zengő peak was stopped due to the broad protest of environmental NGOs, is now planned to be built at the Tubes, very close to the city of Pécs in South Hungary. Art-Éra, which is part of the informal Movement for the Mecsek Mountain, aims at arresting the plan by mobilizing people, raising attention and taking legal steps – all these based on expert studies and analyses.

A 3000 acre big area was sodded and planted with bushes. The place was cleaned up and a walking path built.

In October, an antimilitarist mass demonstration was held as part of the protest movement against the NATO radar, too. Organizers of the event wanted to raise attention to the fact that a radar is part of a military system, and there is no such thing as a “pure defense weapon” as every weapon serves military purposes. The action was joined by activists from other countries as well, among them representatives of the Czech Ne Zakladnám movement struggling against planting the US rocket base.

The aim of the project was to calm through traffic by planting trees and creating a park. Thanks to this action the living conditions of local citizens became better.

HEPF supported the costs of extending a sheep livestock with 34 Hungarian merino female and one male sheep.

HEPF helped the foundation in a risky financial situation generated through the delay of an EU grant (EQUAL)

HEPF helped the foundation in a risky financial situation generated through the delay of an EU grant (EQUAL)

Missing plants were replaced ,a rock-garden was created and new benches were placed in the schoolyard.

A shared, neglected and unattended grassland will be rehabilitated through pasturing. We supported farmers to extend their cattle livestock and graze them on these lands from spring to autumn desiccation.

The Water Framework Directive of the EU can be implemented most effectively along the principle of subsidiarity. It is the basic interest of local farmers to solve surface ground water management in their own competence. This project aims at planning water association supervised by local stakeholders.

Participants of the project attended the Climate Camp (an event organized this year next to Heathrow Airport against climate change) to document and publish the events and to initiate a similar event in Hungary based on their experience. One of their members made the whole journey to London by bicycle, writing an online diary (blog) and giving presentations after his return to Hungary.

A nursery garden is being opened with our support to serve the needs of floodplain farmers. The nursery is offering only those species which are able to bear the special circumstances of the floodplain area.

The marketplace of Püspökladány was developed into a real public space by the playground and the park being built there.

After the flood in year 2000 the dam at Tiszadob was rebuilt. During this work a 5 acres big and 2 km long water network was created and connected to the living Tisza. The organization now made the notches manageable and started monitoring the water to examine the impact of the system on the quantity and composition of fry.

Globfest is an international event that was held for the second time in April 2007 to raise awareness towards global problems and challenges affecting every one of us. The Citizens Jury, a democratic decision making process based on equal participation, was organized for the first time in the framework of this festival. Participants were volunteer citizens from all over the country and the issue was climate change. With organizing the Jury, the foundation had two goals: first, to formulate clear and genuine opinion and expectations of the community towards decision makers and second, to draw up the possible actions what everyday people can do against climate change.

In 2003, a study has been prepared about the integrated water management system of the subregion. It offered solution for flood, conservation and rural employment programs, and forms the basis of rural development plans in the next 10 years. The goal of this project is to extend the study to settlements that joined to the subregion later.

An intimate garden was created by volunteers in the environment of the village museum.

Dilemma Association strives to enhance social participation and provides legal aid to citizens in the environmental conflicts of Hajdú-Bihar county (thermal power station, pharmaceutical factory). The instruments used are data collection, peoples forums, factory visits, advocacy, presentations and an online information service.

The project aims at educating undergraduates of environmental sciences about the system approach thinking of sustainable development. Workshops are carried out in Gömörszőlős village, where students can come to know the practice of local sustainable development, which they could later utilize in their profession, as members of the environmental administration, but they will hopefully also participate in the activities of the settlement. HEPF supported a twice five-day long workshop.

Tiszavalk and Tiszadorogma are holding great tradition in basketwork and mat weaving. In order to preserve and develop the heritage, the supported entrepreneurs will to teach these crafts to students of the Hungarian University of Art and Design.

A shared, neglected and unattended grassland will be rehabilitated through pasturing. We supported farmers to extend their cattle livestock and graze them on these lands from spring to autumn desiccation.

In the framework of this Joint Project, since 2003 the Austrian Ökoinstitut, Hnutí Duha, Energy Club, Za Matku Zem and since 2006 the Terra Milleniul III (Romania) and the Green Policy Institute (Bulgaria) work together, supporting each others' local projects. As a common agreement was born in the annual evaluation meeting, the Joint Project this year focused on the new nuclear developments (planned new reactors and uranium mines) in the region. Energy Club worked on the following issues: - Participation in Espoo processes and international campaigns: Belene, Mochovce, Cernavoda, Krsko - Participation in preparation of materials to the common web page (www.nuclear-waste-watch.org).

In the discussion about shaping new Hungarian energy policy the intention of extension the government and nuclear lobby mention Paks NPP more and more explicitly. Against this plan Energy Club initiated broad information campaign. They target decision makers, greens, journalists and public with different tools (studies, publication, preparing and holding presentations and internet dissemination of these), in order to provide objective info on facts about nuclear energy.

The project aimed at taking necessary steps to hinder the PLEX and the construction of new reactors at the Paks NPP, and also to increase transparency within the nuclear sector and to ensure public participation in the decision-making processes. For this purpose the organization continued to be in contact with nuclear authorities, Members of the Parliament, and carried on informing the media and the public. They informed European organizations and the members of the European Parliament also for international pressure. They also work with more affected stakeholders: they kept seminars for the staff and volunteers of the NGOs about the environmental and economic problems of nuclear energy, in order to equip them with a set of arguments while doing their job.

With the help of the Development Office of Barcs and the students, the yard and environment of the local technical school has been rehabilitated.

A multifunctional leisure park was created in the area of the Eötvös József School for school children and citizens. After this rehabilitation the new green schoolyard is being called Eötvös Park.

HEPF supported the planning of a farm management network in Borsod-Mezőség. The for-profit network would have one manager / 1500-2000 acre, or 10-12 farms.

The database about the rural lands of Borsod Mezőség will serve the planning processes of rural development programs. It will be available to development managers and cooperating local actors.

A complex economic structure was built up to help the farmer to reach self-sufficiency and independence and to reduce the use of fossil fuel.

HEPF supported the refurbishment of a summer dam at the Anyita-lake. With this renovation the optimal water-level needed for agriculture can be reached. Beyond the renovation a small island was created for bird-watching.

The supported association owns a water area, called Árku-ér. They arranged the area and planted fish in the streamlet.

The over hundred years old Maria-well at Márianosztra will be renovated and a resting-place is going to be formed. The well will be a sight of the Duna-Ipel Greenway, with information tables presenting the history of the well on one side and introducing the Greenway on the other. Besides the project includes a leaflet about Márianosztras' tourist services and attractions.

A model program was formulated in Baranya county to raise attention toward the importance of waste management and to introduce good practices. The organization (the only NGO in the village) aims at promoting selective waste disposal through presentations and also realize it in practice by creating a compost box, locating a battery depot and public waste collectors. (This grant was held over from 2006.)

50 trees and 150 scrogs were planted at the Szikáncs playground by local farmers and the members of the municipality.

A leisure park and arboretum is being created with Hungarian native trees. The organizers involved schoolchildren in the action.

Based on the plans of Pagony Landscape and Garden Architecture, office the school garden of Fogócska street in Budapest was transformed.

The foundation organized a "Tree planting ceremony" to involve more people in the afforestation program.

Local citizens helped park the bank of the Danube.

An ecological model garden was created in the school yard with 100 different kind of plants, bird protector facilities, and benches.

The school engaged in environmental education further developed the already existing outdoor classroom with new plants.

Local families and school children created a green classroom and a family corner, and planted several trees in the school yard.

The Twittering Park became a public leisure place now with the new walking tracks, bushes, flowers, trees, trash bins and benches.

In the suburb of Bicske a 600 sqm leisure park was created.

19 saplings and 800 privet was planted by teachers, students and parents in the garden of the school.

In the center of Tiszafüred a neglected a square and the green area of the school was rehabilitated.

A new habitat is being created by changing the cultivation of a pasture from intensive to extensive. For this purpose a forest-line was planted to protect the grassland, four Hereford cattle bought, a fold and an electric fence built up. The cattle help the sustainable maintenance of the land.

Extensive use of land is the most optimal and environmental way of floodplain farming. From this support the farmers can change the way of land management.

HEPF supported the costs of refurbishing a stable, creating a horse-pen and a pasture, buying mangalica (native Hungarian swine), horse, saddlery, cart. Besides a woody reaper has also been rehabilitated and being treated for model purpose.

A model shop will be opened for the local goods produced directly or indirectly in floodplain agriculture in the settlements along the Tisza. The shop would serve as a catalyzer between local farmers, craftsmen, masters and possible customers. HEPF supported the opening of this shop at Nagykörű.

Related to a planned waste incinerator investment Green Circle aimed at enhancing publicity and public participation. They informed the citizens and initiated a popular vote: within weeks thousands of signatures were collected. Besides they wanted to agree and create real partnership with the regional Waste Management Association to help achieving the goals of the waste management plan. Their efforts were rewarded when the regional Environmental Directorate denied permit of the planned incinerator.

The organization is monitoring the administrative process regarding the extension of the Pécs-Pogány airport.

The traditional, annual National Gathering of green NGOs will be held in 2008 in Pécs. HEPF provides support to the travel costs of participants.

Green Connection operates a free legal aid service in the Northern Hungarian region. While the demand for this service is increasing, the organization doesn't have enough capacity to satisfy it. We supported the organization to enable them to serve by covering lawyer fees.

Green Connection aimed at stopping the planned pumped-storage hydroelectric station investments in the Zemplén Mountains. Following from this process, they hope to maintain cooperation in the field of energy policy and strategy with national and regional green organizations. The project includes the orientation and discussion with stakeholders (citizens, municipality, state administration, investors) and legal steps related to the authorization process. In 2007, they reached partial success: the regional Environmental Directorate on the second administrative level rejected one of the planned two projects.

HEPF supported the elaboration of the work plan that will be the guide for all partners (institutions, organizations, municipalities, local citizens, environmental professionalists, active hikers) working together in the preparation of this Greenway.

Two and a half acre land was railed off and swarded to support extensive goat breeding. The farmer aims to eradicate weeds from the floodplain areas by pasturing the extended livestock there.

In the region of Northern Hungary public communication about environmental issues is still not well articulated. The association aims at enhancing environmental advocacy concerning the heavy investments in the region. Hence they would like to intensify requests for public data and registrations as legal client in investment processes. A further goal of the project is to screen environmentally harmful activities and influence them positively.

The seven acre area of the HOTEK forest was planted with tree and scrub species. In the framework of a cleaning day they rehabilitated a bird-repatriation station and built a cycle shelter.

By placing four benches, two tables and waste bins, a playground was developed into a leisure park.

Access of data of public interest is the basics of a well-functioning democracy. Today only 10 per-cent of the requests arriving to the Data Ombudsman concern freedom of information (the rest is about privacy protection). The number of suits filed due the rejection of data requests is also very low. HCLU wants to support green NGOs with its experience to help requests for data and litigations about data rejections.

On the 4th of March 2007 traffic was suspended on 14 side railway lines. It means that 211 thousand citizens of 84 settlements have been left without railway traffic. The substitute bus lines haven’t paid off and they will be terminated too, thus the situation will be even worse. Therefore, the basic transport service of the people declined, it became harder to get to the doctor, to school, to work. The Club aims at stopping this process with petitions to be handed in to the adequate institutions and by organizing regional forums.

Young Greens made up a spectacular idea connecting to the Critical Mass. The pieces of a "gigasticker" (with a message about the connection of traffic and climate change) was distributed among the bikers participating at the event, who put it together at the end of the route.

The demonstration aimed at easing walking traffic in the city, primarily for those with prams and to attract the attention of city politicians to complying with EU regulations.

An area covered with water every spring was planted with trees and will be used for grazing.

The concept of “biological activity value” was introduced by the modification of the Construction Act in 2006. Biological activity means the impact of the vegetation upon the ecological status of a given place and upon the health of the people living there. The act says that this value must not be reduced. As there is no sanctions formulated anywhere, the enhancement of civil control is essential in this field. The project aims at developing a study and a manual for NGOs based on interviews with stakeholders about their experience (the study and the manual will be accessible on the website of FÖK). The outcomes of the project will be promoted on leaflets and at the National Gathering of the greens, too.

The farmer received support to extend his sheep livestock, renovate the farm buildings, rail off his land and refurbish a bridge above the canal crossing his land.

From this support a grassland is being balanced after cleaning out weeds, purging drainage-ditches and refurbishing a well sweep and the roads. The natural balance is being maintained by pasturing animal husbandry.

Besides organizing the first subregional fair of local products, HEPF supported a survey about the products and services and the creation of a database and promotional materials.

We supported the procurement of Magyar Tarka (Hungarian Simmental) type cattles. This way the farmer will be able to utilize the remaining fodder and to extend his stock-scale with meat and diary products.

This project aims at preparing a new brand under the name "Floodplain Spirits". HEPF supported the elaboration of a marketing plan and a portfolio based on surveys and the experience of producers and traders. The new product would utilize the excellent quality fruits produced in the area.

The project aims at extending the farm with a summerhouse, a drinking-trough and establishing the possibility for later extension of livestock. Presently the land is graded as a plough-land cultivation area so it has to be requalified for grassland cultivation.

In the farming community of the Borsodi Mezőség area, a communal silo would help very much the just developing local farmer collectives.

A small oil factory is being set up with the aim to produce bio-fuel and satisfy the needs of the farm. The factory uses the materials generated at the farm. The project included the costs of planning, construction and authorization, too.

The land owned by Lajos Buka falls under the Natura 2000 conservation areas and is surrounded by the territories of the Körös-Maros National Park. In order to keep the biodiversity of these places, pasturing is the ideal conservation method. Thus the farmer received support to extend his sheep livestock and utilize the lands for grazing.

Along the Small-Tisza backwater a guesthouse received support to extend its eco-tourism services with a look-out tower, a gate to the water and a pier.

There are several thousand kilometers of small watercourses in Hungary, which are regulated only with the water engineering aspect in sight. The result of this management is that riverbeds are deep and tight, sometimes paved and maintained on the basis of 30 years-old plans (in every 1-5-30 years). In order to change this practice the organization aims to propose a new national standard for the management of watercourses. The new standard would specify the evaluation and planning aspects which would result in less material changes during building and the maintenance. HEPF supported the costs of the standardization process.

A new leisure place was created for cyclists with the involvement of the local school and local government, landscape architectures and other civic organizations.

Native mangalica (swine) system organic breeding in landscape-farming.

Open Garden Foundation is operating a local bio-food network, runs environmental education programs and offers working opportunities for disabled people. Their new project aims at establishing a civil forum of Gödöllő town and its environs of environment and health protection. The program includes team-building trainings with the aim to develop strategy for the new cooperation that will be followed by campaigns promoting the cooperation’s existence and the important issues they are dealing with.

The gathering of Living Villages is being organized in summer and winter for many years. People living in villages are trying to realize sustainable development at local level. They are aiming to enhance their self-reliance while reducing exterior dependency.

Csadó farm is one location along the "On the Trail of our Heritage" Greenway. It is the most precious wetland along the Ipel river, an ideal observation place for ornithologists and hikers. HEPF supported the creation of an observing and resting-place with wooden tables, benches and bicycle shelter. An information table will present the protected bird species of the area.

EU transport development plans for the coming future include the expansion of shipping share. These plans include the Rhine-Main-Danube canal. The Danube-part is well affected by these plans, aimed at raising the share of inland navigation by raising the capacity of Danube-sailing. Naturally this capacity enlargement would cause severe intervention in the natural values and ecosystem services of the river. To help advocating in this case, Protect the Future initiated international cooperation with civic organizations from the Danube countries. In the framework of a conference they started to work out a strategy about the Danube basin, and held workshops to harmonize national level Danube strategies.

24 trees and 166 scrogs were planted with the help of local entrepreneurs.

The playground was cleaned up, the toys painted and new trees, flowers, bushes were planted.

Nine lower settlements in Szigetköz are affected by the huge profit-oriented investments to be carried out on the bank of the Danube. Reflex would like to persuade investors and decision makers to consider the professional criticism and the results of the public opinion poll carried out by the organization.

This project started on the occasion of a park forest at Szombathely that was devastated because of the lack of appropriate regulation. The organization strives to enhance the participation of municipalities in the process of forest planning and in similar cases affecting every one of us. The program includes negotiations with the municipalities, forest planners and farming organizations, holding of public hearings, preparing expert recommendations and intensified media work.

On the occasion of the Earth Day, SOS organized waste collection and renovated a playground in the park with the help of the children studying in the Special School.

The Danó guesthouse received support to create a plum-preserve cookery. Products from this activity will be sold for tourists mainly. Another goal of the farmer is to keep up the traditionally cooked jam made of "penyige" and "nemtudom" ("dunno") kind of plums.

A 6 acres area at Tiszadada between the Living and 'Dead' Tisza has been rehabilitated to meadow.

The association rehabilitated a 3000 sqm big area of the local school with the help of students and schoolchildren. After the renovation the backyard of the school has been opened for the public, too.

Sapling association organized the National Gathering of green organizations in 2007. HEPF supported the travel costs of those participants who needed it.

The capacity of about 120 farms was sized up and the planning of landscape utilization-change was carried out in the framework of this project. Changing the cultivation method of the landscape helps the rehabilitation of habitats.

A grassland habitat have been created by changing the utilization of the land to pasturing. HEPF supported the costs of livestock and creating space for them.

A starting apiary business received support. The farmer wants to buy and convert a 2.7 acre ploughland into bee pasture. At same time the farmer takes a course on apiary, and buys the needed tools. Products of the activity will be sold at local markets.

The supported enterprise is engaged in the sale of locally produced and processed fruits. Our support helps develop sales through a new marketing strategy emphasizing the organic origin of the products.

KÖTHÁLÓ is a service providing organization offering free expertise, legal counsel, legal expertise to the average citizen. HEPF supported the costs of these services in 2007. Besides, we supported a publication prepared for civil servants about good and bad practices of public hearings with the aim to develop adequate disclosure practices.

A shared, neglected and unattended grassland will be rehabilitated through pasturing. We supported farmers to extend their cattle livestock and graze them on these lands from spring to autumn desiccation.

A real model farm is being developed from the Karád landscape farming and environmental education center. Our support helped to enhance environmental education, too.

In the old floodplain area, between two villages, Tiszacsege and Egyek, 9 backwaters and several smaller watercourses create a water network. This project aims to help the association, development and promotion of ecotourism initiatives.

This Greenway will present the cultural, art, architectural and natural heritage and tradition of the Danube-bend Pilis subregion. During the preparation phase of this Greenway following activities have been carried out: - compilation of value inventory about the area - preparation of info materials - establishing an info center - design of hiking routes - establishing the project office

During the city park program a green area was cleaned up, afforestated, waste bins were replaced and benches were renovated.

Landscaping works were done by the workers of the local government. HEPF supported the costs of plants, grass and benches.

The main street of the city was afforestated with the involvement of local entrepreneurs.

The Farm Circle Greenway will connect tourist services by linking the subregional bike path with the local light railway, horse traditions and by creating a cooperation network. The project also aims at presenting the farm shepherd and riding culture of the sand-ridge.

The organization made a petition to the Committee on Petitions of the European Parliament on 5th of January 2005. They aim at protecting the area's integrity and ecological state of the Debrecen Great Forest Nature Conservation Area and the priority nature conservation area called “Debrecen-Hajdúböszörmény oak forest” falling under the Natura 2000 network. HEPF is covering costs of the legal process.

The area at the traffic junction near to the Great Forest Park was landscaped.

50-80 people participated at the eight cleaning action to rehabilitate the castle garden of Körmend. Several benches and waste bins were placed too.

The goal of the supported project was to decrease the fall of livestock in the parish and help the organic use and maintenance of natural values. The grantee received support for livestock enlargement.

A green area was created around the school symbolizing the four cardinal points. Beside this a green sport court and a skating rink was built, too.

The goal of the program was to enhance the advocacy capacity of citizens and NGOs who want to act up against waste incineration. HUMUSZ is striving to reach this goal by sharing its experience in the field and carrying out specific actions, intensive media work and the legal enforcement of rights.

The comprehensive goal of the program was to vindicate nature conservation and ecological aspects in the management of still waters for fishing (ponds and lakes) for the sake of good ecological status. The Fish-friendly Waters label will be given to water managers, who comply with the criteria of the evaluation system. An important element of the program is its intensive communication. Managers of the labeled waters will receive special prizes (from sponsors) like support for planting native fish species, rehabilitation and for conservation management. Labeled waters and managers will be monitored in the framework of the program, too.

The aim of the organization was to extend the space of the local telecenter with green corners where native trees and bushes, herbs and bird protecting devices can be displayed.

The supported farmer wants to complement his wool-producing activity with a felt-workshop. HEPF supported the costs of building the workshop, a felt-maker course and the model products.

A family apiary is being created from this support, with ploughland being used as the premise of the new business. Bee products will be sold for local people and tourists.

An existing Sales Co-operative operating in Tiszaújváros is helping the farmers' cooperation in the subregion. In order to enhance their activity, they can take extra counseling thanks to this grant.

In floodplain areas, grazing is one of the most optimal conservation management methods. The grant helps the farmer to extend his sheep livestock and start pasturing. He received money to repair the roof of the sheep pen and to develop the livestock.

The Buda-side Greenway will connect the view-spots, monuments, open studios, horse-riding opportunities, restaurants, accommodations and wine cellars of the Zsámbék basin. The route will be mapped and marked, inaccessible trails will be cleared up. The route will be marked with tables and a promotional publication with map will help the tourists as well.

A local milk factory processing local whole milk received support to extend its business and to set up a new shop for the diary products.

Environmental conscious farming on the native grassland of the Körös-Maros National Park.

The farmer received support to extend his sheep livestock and to purchase a solar-cellar electric fence. With these developments he will be able to make better use of his pasture and to economize the farming activity.