Transparency

DZI donation seal - We deserve your trust!

Since 2006, EuroNatur has annually received the donation seal of the renowned German Central Institute for Social Issues (DZI).The awarding of this seal of approval was opened in 2004 to all organisations collecting donations (whereas formerly it was only open to institutions with a social programme). EuroNatur became one of the first to receive it in the area of nature conservation.The award is presented for the period of a year after intensive examination in which not only the  accounting but also the fulfilment of statutory aims and integrity in fundraising have been subjected to close scrutiny.

The criteria for the award of the donation seal are as follows:

• accurate, unambiguous and factual fundraising in text and image,
• verifiable, economical and statutory use of funds with due regard to relevant tax regulations,
• clear and comprehensible financial reporting,
• auditing of the annual report and its presentation to DZI,
• internal supervision of the leadership by an independent supervisory body,
• strict exclusion of the use of premiums, commissions or profit sharing for the procuration of donations.

This means that you may rest assured: donations that reach us do a lot of good, directly benefitting the protection of wild animals and their habitats and they are a genuine contribution to the preservation of natural resources on which the wellbeing of both humans and animals depends.

To the website of DZI

Auditing

For many years, EuroNatur Foundation has undergone a voluntary annual audit by an auditing company. Among other things, the balance sheet, the income statement, the accounting and valuation methods, and the management report for the respective fiscal year are audited. Current information can be found in our Annual Report.

Ethics Signet of the German Fundraising Association (Deutschef Fundraising Verband e.V.)

EuroNatur is a member of the German Fundraising Association (DFRV) and undertakes to comply with the "19 Basic Rules for Good, Ethical Fundraising Practice" and the "Charter of Donors' Rights". Details can be found on the DFRV page (in German). 

The German Fundraising Association (DFRV) supports the efforts of the international community of fundraisers to set global standards for fundraising. For this reason, the Board ratified the International Statement of Ethical Principles at the beginning of 2007. The paper defines five universal principles of the profession: Honesty, Respect, Integrity, Empathy and Transparency. Download the International Statement of Ethical Principles in Fundraising here (PDF file format in English language). 

Initiative "Transparente Zivilgesellschaft (transparent civil society)"

EuroNatur has also joined the Transparent Civil Society initiative (InitiativeTransparente Zivilgesellschaft). 

Signatories to the initiative make a voluntary commitment to publish ten pieces of information about their organisation on their website. These include its constitution, the names of the key decision takers and information about the source and allocation of funds and the staffing structure. 

Link to the Transparent Civil Society initiative website

1. Name, location, address and year founded:

EuroNatur (European Nature Heritage Fund) 
Location: Radolfzell
Address: Westendstr. 3, 78315 Radolfzell, Germany
Year founded: 1987

2. Full constitution and information on the goals of our organisation

The EuroNatur foundation’s goal is not only to protect nature but also to promote the ecological development of the rural areas in question. Because without taking serious consideration of the needs of the population, it will not be possible to achieve success in conserving natural resources over the long term. This is why EuroNatur always works closely with local partner organisations and the people on site.

Regional development and nature conservation go hand in hand in this, creating more jobs and improved quality of life.

Here you can find out more about EuroNatur’s mission and mode of operation.

3. Information on tax relief

The notice of exemption granted by the Singen tax authority on 28.03.2023 (St. Nr. 18153/25263), grants us exemption from corporation tax, in accordance with § 5 para. 1 no. 9 of the German Corporation Tax Act, and from trade tax, in accordance with § 3 no. 6 of the German Trade Tax Act, for the year 2016 in consideration of our role in the furthering of science, adult education and  the conservation of animals, nature, the landscape and the environment.

4. Names and roles of key decision makers

President: Professor Thomas Potthast

Vice president: Dr Anna-Katharina Wöbse

Member of steering committee: Dr Thomas Griese

Member of steering committee: Jörg Nitsch

Member of steering committee: Professor Hubert Weiger

Member of steering committee: Professor Dr Hannes Knapp

Chief executive: Gabriel Schwaderer (Radolfzell)

5. Report of activities

The report of our activities can be found in the Annual Report.

6. Staffing structure

EuroNatur employs 15 full-time and 16 part-time staff. The members of the steering committee and the board of trustees act in an honorary capacity.

7. Information on the source of funds

Information on the source of funds can be found in our Annual Report.

8. Information on the allocation of funds

Information on the allocation of funds can be found in our Annual Report.

9. Affiliations with third parties under company law

EuroNatur Service GmbH is a 100% subsidiary of the EuroNatur foundation.