Giving Tuesday 2026: Together for forests in Europe
Natural forest in Zeletin, Montenegro
© Anja NiedenOn Giving Tuesday – the international day of giving – people around the world are showing their solidarity and commitment. We at EuroNatur would also like to use this day to draw attention to a threatened treasure that urgently needs our support: Europe’s primeval and natural forests.
Only very few of these forests remain – merely 2 per cent of the original forests. In the Western Balkans, extensive primeval forests have survived, particularly in remote mountainous regions. However, many of these remain outside protected areas and, without being mapped, are left defenceless. We want to find and document these forests in order to help them obtain the protection they deserve.
In the Forests Beyond Borders project, we are systematically mapping forests in five countries in the Western Balkans and campaigning for them to be protected. After all, forests are our allies in the fight against the climate crisis and also provide a habitats for many protected animal species.
Every contribution counts – whether large or small. Let’s work together to ensure that Europe’s wild forests can continue to grow tomorrow.
Fundraising campaign: Where trees grow for a thousand years
Martin Mikoláš and the international team are measuring an ancient Bosnian pine (Pinus heldreichii)
© Solutions4YouFor the “Forests Beyond Borders” project, EuroNatur project manager Siegmund Missal was able to assemble an international team of outstanding experts comprising forest scientists, forest conservationists and cartographers. In June, they trained an international team of conservationists and forest experts from our partner organisations in the Balkans. Subsequently, several hectares of forest have already been documented over the summer.
Martin Mikoláš from the Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague (CZU) played a key role in developing the mapping method: “If you look at European maps, there are huge gaps in the data for this region. Perhaps the local people know where these forests are, but they are not recorded in the databases. And what is not recorded cannot be protected.”
Your donation will enable us to map many more hectares of forest in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, and Serbia according to scientific standards. This is the only way we can ensure they are placed under strict protection. With a donation of 100 euros, we can map ten hectares of forest. The data we collect will enable us to campaign for protected areas for primeval and natural forests at national level and to use the EU accession process as a lever. In total, we still need at least 50,000 euros for these activities.
Online presentation with a forest expert (in German)
On Monday 30 November 2026, EuroNatur project manager Siegmund Missall is going to talk about old-growth forests in Europe (in German). The expert will provide insights into our Western Balkans project, ‘Forest Beyond Borders’, explain the significance of these forests and why it is important to protect them.
- Date: 30 November 2026
- Time: 6.30pm
- Location: online
- Language: German
Registration is required – please register here. The online event will take place using Microsoft Teams.
After registering for the online seminar, you will receive an automatic confirmation email. This email will contain the link for participation.
If you have any questions about the organisation or technology, please contact Markus Dressnandt by email.
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Doing good on Giving Tuesday
© Giving Tuesday Deutschland Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving celebrated every year on the first Tuesday after the US Thanksgiving. In 2026, it falls on 1 December. On this day, people, organisations and companies are encouraged to do good, donate, and get involved. It is the counterpart to Black Friday, which has become synonymous with unbridled consumerism. This Giving Tuesday, give to what supposedly costs nothing and yet is one of the most valuable things we have: Europe's natural heritage!
Giving without money
Giving Tuesday is about giving, and you don't need money to give. Your time, your voice and your commitment count too. Find out how you can get involved.
Sustaining members wanted
Would you like to provide targeted and long-term support for cross-border nature conservation projects in Europe? If so, a sustaining membership might be just the thing for you. By supporting us, you’ll enable us to continue protecting Europe’s nature in the long term. Wouldn’t Giving Tuesday be a great opportunity to become a sustaining member?
