Our mission:
Together for a thriving Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea Conservation Foundation (BaltCF) is a private, non-profit foundation from Germany and targets the wide array of environmental problems which the Baltic Sea faces. By funding projects and supporting organisations which address these challenges, BaltCF strives to help improve the ecological state of the Baltic Sea.
We are convinced that solutions must be found that consider the interests of the local population, and thus focus on supporting local NGOs, municipalities and initiatives.
How we work
As a foundation under German law, BaltCF generally invests its original endowment and uses only the profit to finance projects and other activities. This way, BaltCF can do its work independently and in the long term.
In the years since its creation, BaltCF has funded numerous projects addressing a broad variety of environmental problems in nearly all countries of the Baltic Sea catchment area.
In addition, BaltCF actively supports the improvement of funding mechanisms for environmental protection in the Baltic Sea region as a member of several funders’ initiatives.
More about the goals and the structure of the foundation can be found in our statute.
new marine protected areas
new protected areas on land
ghost gear retrieved from the sea
garbage collected on land
new spawning grounds created
coastal peatlands restored
Who stands behind BaltCF
BaltCF is governed by honorary representatives delegated by environmental NGOs: WWF Germany, BUND Mecklenburg-West Pomerania and Nabu Mecklenburg-West Pomerania. The latter two are part of the German sections of the international conservation networks “Friends of the Earth” and “BirdLife”, respectively.
The everyday work is done by BaltCF’s office staff in Rostock.
Get to know us!
BaltCF and Nord Stream: Origin and Independence
BaltCF was established in 2014 as the result of a strategic lawsuit filed by several environmental NGOs against the permit for the first Nord Stream pipeline.
Unable to prevent the pipeline, those NGOs – BUND Mecklenburg-West Pomerania and WWF Germany – nevertheless reached an out-of-court settlement with Nord Stream AG. It was agreed to conduct additional compensation measures in order to achieve the smallest possible negative impact of the pipeline on the Baltic Sea environment.
€ 25 million for long-term ecosystem support
In addition, Nord Stream AG agreed to provide €25 million to establish BaltCF. The aim: to permanently support environmental conservation throughout the Baltic Sea region.
Why establish a foundation?
Under German law, foundations are independent.
- They have no owners or shareholders.
- Endowments cannot be reclaimed once the foundation is registered.
- They operate independently from their founders.
This is why this legal framework was chosen for BaltCF.
NGOs have the lead
From the beginning, environmental NGOs have held the majority of votes in both of BaltCF’s governing bodies: the Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees.
Nord Stream AG held one seat in each board as the formal founder – until its representatives stepped down in March 2022, following the Russian attack on Ukraine.
No future involvement of Nord Stream AG
While Nord Stream’s representatives had acted professionally and for the good of the foundation – without trying to implement corporate interests – in the case of conflict, they could always have been easily outvoted by the environmental NGOs steering the foundation.
In September 2022, BaltCF has amended its statute as a consequence of the withdrawal of the Nord Stream delegates following the Russian attack on Ukraine. Since then, Nord Stream AG no longer has the right to send representatives to the foundation’s boards.
Transparency
BaltCF is administered along the Principles of Good Practice for Foundations, which have been agreed by the Federal Association of German Foundations – and the Initiative for Transparency in Civil Society – coordinated by Transparency International Germany. It is important for us to be transparent in the way we present our finances, our funding criteria, our organisation and the projects we support.
BaltCF is administered along the Principles of Good Practice for Foundations, which have been agreed by the Federal Association of German Foundations – and the Initiative for Transparency in Civil Society – coordinated by Transparency International Germany. It is important for us to be transparent in the way we present our finances, our funding criteria, our organisation and the projects we support.
You can find all our downloadable materials on our Downloads page.
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