Eco-volunteering: strengthening the ties between men and nature
The project
The aim of the Fondation pour la Nature et pour l’Homme (FNH, Foundation for Nature and Mankind), created in 1990, is to ensure the preservation of our shared natural heritage.
Initiatives undertaken by the civil society
Every day, the Foundation undertakes several projects in mainland France and French overseas territories while supporting civil society initiatives such as eco volunteering. In practical terms, this type of commitment takes the form of volunteers participating in activities to develop and equip natural environments, monitor and protect endangered species and host and run workshops. Eco volunteering is a key means of increasing public awareness of sustainable development issues without which many associations would be unable to operate.
The bonuses for eco-volunteering
To encourage eco volunteering, the FNH and other partners launched, in 2014, the “primes du bénévolat nature” nature volunteering bonuses. This financial support mechanism targets structures on the ground that organize and develop eco volunteering. The money raised thus enables associations to purchase equipment, develop educational tools and offer a very diverse range of opportunities in order to attract family audiences or people with a disability. The Akuo Foundation became involved in this set up in 2015.
15
associations on Réunion island that have benefited from the bonuses
500
€minimum amount given to each association benefiting from this program