With the EuroNatur Award, the foundation recognises in particular the practical nature conservation work carried out by the Committee Against Bird Slaughter. For decades, its teams have been uncovering illegal trapping methods, documenting breaches of nature conservation laws, removing trapping nets and glue sticks, and working with the authorities to curb the poaching of migratory birds.

In her laudatory speech, EuroNatur Vice-President Dr Anna-Katharina Wöbse paid tribute to the work of CABS: “We thank you for being here as a delegation, whilst most of your activists are out in the camps, actively protecting barn swallows, robins, spotted flycatchers and all other migratory birds – and with them, a fundamental part of Europe’s natural heritage. In doing so, they are putting their lives on the line: they face abuse, threats, physical violence, shots at with guns, their tyres being punctured and being chased. For this commitment and your fearlessness, we are today awarding the Committee Against Bird Slaughter the EuroNatur Award.”

The Committee also regards this award as recognition for the many volunteers and partner organisations who work along Europe’s migratory routes every year. Despite much progress, the protection of migratory birds remains a major challenge. Every year, millions of birds are still being illegally trapped or shot – an estimated 25 million in the Mediterranean region alone.

In their acceptance speech, the award winners made it clear that successful bird conservation cannot rely on political declarations of intent alone: “Fortunately, a great deal of money is being invested in the protection of migratory birds today. Millions are being channelled into expert reports, conservation plans, conferences and the administrative side of species protection,” said Axel Hirschfeld. “But unfortunately, reality also shows that far too little of these enormous sums is being channelled into the direct, practical fight against trapping and poaching. What use are the best laws, conferences and declarations of intent if there is no one out in the field to take down the nets? Species conservation must not get bogged down in bureaucracy,” said Hirschfeld.

Background information:

• The EuroNatur Award is non-monetary. It recognises outstanding achievements in nature conservation. Previous recipients have included the author Jonathan Franzen, the ‘brave women of Kruščica’ and the municipality of Mals in South Tyrol. The 2026 EuroNatur Award was presented on Thursday, 15 October 2026 at 5 pm on the island of Mainau on Lake Constance.

• The Committee Against Bird Slaughter was founded in Berlin in January 1975. Its first campaigns were protests against bird hunting in Italy, bird trapping in Belgium and the trade in wild birds in Germany. The first practical measures – the collection of illegal bird traps and nets – took place in 1979 in the German-Belgian border region near Aachen. Since 1985, annual migratory bird protection camps have been organised, initially in northern Italy, and subsequently also in northern France, southern Italy, Cyprus and Malta. Throughout the year, between 250 and 300 nature and animal lovers from across Europe take part in well over 20 such camps.

• Despite many successes, the scale of illegal killing of birds in the Mediterranean region remains shocking. A study jointly published by BirdLife International and EuroNatur in May 2025 paints a bleak picture: the vast majority of Mediterranean countries are failing to fulfil their promise to halve the illegal killing, capture and trade of birds by 2030.

Enquires:
Christian Stielow, christian.stielow(at)euronatur.org, Tel.: +49 (0)7732 – 92 72 15
 

"Every year, an estimated 11 to 36 million migratory birds are killed or captured illegally across the Mediterranean.” said Barend Van Gemerden, Head of Global Flyways at BirdLife International. “That's why countries in the region have committed to reducing illegal killing and trapping by at least 50% by 2030, under the Rome Strategic Plan of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species and the Bern Convention. Now it's time to turn that commitment into action." 

NGOs sound the alarm over the lack of progress across the Mediterranean

Progress remains far from sufficient. The Illegal Killing of Birds (IKB-3.0) report, published by BirdLife International and EuroNatur in May 2025, paints an alarming picture:

"Halfway through the implementation of the Rome Strategic Plan, 83% of the 46 countries assessed have not put in place the measures needed to meet the targets," said Dr. Justine Vansynghel, Project Manager Migratory Birds at EuroNatur. "This gap is deeply concerning, and it shows just how much work remains to be done if governments are serious about honouring their commitments." 

Meanwhile, after four years of monitoring across eight countries in the Mediterranean basin, the Mediterranean Waterbird Network (MWN), confirms the persistence and diversity of threats facing migratory birds, including unregulated shooting, trapping and lead pollution.

Solutions must be tailored to local realities

MWN monitoring reveals a mixed picture across different territories. To be effective, responses must reflect the specific realities and challenges of each country.

“This is the first time we have produced harmonised data on this issue,” says Laura Dami, Coordinator of the Mediterranean Waterbird Network. “At Mediterranean scale, these data highlight how much remains to be done, but they allow local organisations to develop country-specific recommendations to comply with their international commitments.”

There is reason for hope: in most of the countries concerned, partners of BirdLife, EuroNatur and MWN are already actively working to combat illegal killing and trapping. MWN organisations are developing recommendations for each of the eight countries involved in the monitoring programme. Three key levers for action stand out: 

• closing legal loopholes
• securing sustainable funding to strengthen scientific monitoring and public awareness
• improving cooperation between public authorities, hunters and conservation organisations.

These measures are essential to turn international commitments into tangible results on the ground.

EuroNatur, Tour du Valat and BirdLife International call on governments to accelerate the fight against IKB, in accordance with their countries’ international obligations by working with all relevant stakeholders to advance the development, funding, and implementation of national action plans. Migratory birds cross multiple countries throughout their life cycle, making coordinated action essential. Progress in one country will only be effective if similar measures are implemented across the entire flyway.

Note to editors : 

• Learn more about illegal killing of birds in the Balkans here.
• About MWN: Founded in 2012, the Mediterranean Waterbirds Network (MWN) brings together a range of partners (local and international NGOs, universities, government bodies, etc.) involved in the monitoring and protection of waterbirds and wetlands in the Mediterranean region, with the aim of strengthening waterbird monitoring and wetland conservation. It initially developed in collaboration with five North African countries (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt), in partnership with the Tour du Valat and the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB), aiming to improve both the quantity and quality of this monitoring.
• Tour du Valat is a research institute dedicated to the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands, based in the Camargue (France), and operating as a private foundation recognised as public utility. Founded in 1954 by Luc Hoffmann, Tour du Valat has since developed its research activities with one constant aim: to better understand wetland habitats as they are the planet’s most productive and most threatened ecosystems.

The Committee Against Bird Slaughter, based in Bonn, is one of Europe’s most prominent bird conservation organisations. It has played a key role in curbing poaching in numerous countries through international bird conservation camps, documenting illegal activities and working closely with the authorities, thereby saving the lives of millions of migratory birds. Particularly in hotspots for bird hunting in the Mediterranean region, such as Cyprus, Malta and Italy, teams of staff and volunteers have successfully campaigned for many years against illegal trapping methods involving nets, glue traps and other traps.

“The Committee Against Bird Slaughter sets an example not only of practical nature conservation but also of conservation with a direct impact across the whole of Europe,” says Thomas Potthast, President of EuroNatur. “The committee’s members are working with extraordinary perseverance, expertise and personal dedication to protect our migratory birds. Their commitment is a powerful demonstration that nature conservation knows no national borders,” said Potthast. “Their efforts have helped to protect countless birds from illegal hunting, whilst at the same time raising public awareness of the importance of European bird conservation.”

By granting this award, EuroNatur emphasises the vital importance of cross-border efforts to protect Europe’s migratory birds. The award ceremony on 15 October offers an opportunity to highlight the ongoing detrimental effects caused by illegal bird hunting and to thank the many volunteers who, year after year, work to protect Europe’s birdlife.

Background information:

The EuroNatur Award is not endowed. It recognises outstanding achievements in nature conservation. Previous award winners include, amongst others, author Jonathan Franzen, the ‘courageous women of Kruščica’, and the municipality of Mals in South Tyrol. This year’s EuroNatur Award will be presented to the Committee Against Bird Slaughter on Thursday, 15 October 2026 at 5 pm on the island of Mainau on Lake Constance.

Press contact: 

Christian Stielow, christian.stielow(at)euronatur.org, Tel.: +49 (0)7732 – 92 72 15

Overall, the water situation varied across the areas intended for the Aquatic Warbler’s resettlement. The conditions in the breeding grounds in Poland and Latvia were better than in Ukraine and in Belarus. In Brandenburg in Germany, the situation for the potential breeding grounds was not that bad; in Hungary, by contrast, it was disastrous. Since the beginning of the year, the country has had unusually low precipitation, as a result of which many wetlands have dried out in spite of sometimes considerable efforts to irrigate the areas. It is uncertain at this point whether the planned translocation of young birds to Brandenburg and Hungary can take place in the next year.

For the Aquatic Warbler, water is not merely a part of the landscape – it is the foundation for its life and survival. This species, which is critically endangered across the globe, has wet meadows and fens as its habitat. In these areas, numerous factors are influenced by water level, including the composition of vegetation, the density of insects and available spots for nesting. If the water level subsides too much too early in the year, the entire ecosystem is fundamentally affected: Bogs degrade, the population of insects decreases while the risk of fire increases, and the conditions for breeding change for the worse.

“In order to ensure the continued survival of the Aquatic Warbler even in times of heat summers and droughts, the rehydration of fens is essential”, Gabriel Schwaderer, EuroNatur’s Executive Director, states. “This way, large amounts of carbon dioxide would be stored in the ground. Climate protection and protection of biodiversity thus go hand in hand.”
 

Background Information:

• Aquatic Warbler: One of the most common fen inhabitants, the Aquatic Warbler’s population has taken an unprecedented nosedive in the past few decades. Today, it is considered Europe’s rarest songbird. In its entire geographic range, only 4.000 to 5.000 singing males are left. Together with our partners, we are fighting for its survival in East Central Europe – it might be the last chance this species gets.
   
• The project “Conservation of Europe's rarest continental songbird: A cross-border initiative for the recovery of the Aquatic Warbler population” (acronym[CB5.1]: “Life4AquaticWarbler”) is funded by the EU's LIFE programme, the Ministry of the Environment of the Republic of Lithuania, the Michael Otto Foundation, the Kurt Lange Foundation, the Brandenburg Nature Conservation Fund, the Giving Back to Nature Foundation, the Bird Conservation Fund and the project partners. It officially started on 1 October 2024 and is scheduled to run for nine years.

Rückfragen: Anja Arning, anja.arning(at)euronatur.org, Tel.: 07732/9272-13

The vote comes after weeks of peaceful demonstrations across Albania, where thousands of citizens have mobilised in defence of the Vjosa–Narta ecosystem, one of the country's most valuable natural areas and a future part of Europe's Natura 2000 network.

"This vote demonstrates that environmental protection is not a secondary issue in the accession process. The European Parliament has made clear that nature, public participation and the rule of law are not optional elements of EU accession. They are fundamental European standards that cannot be compromised" said Gabriel Schwaderer, Executive Director of EuroNatur.

The report builds on an already strong position adopted by Parliament, which calls for the repeal of the 2024 amendments to the Law on Protected Areas and reiterates concerns that weakened environmental safeguards risk undermining Albania's alignment with EU law. It also underlines that progress towards EU accession requires a real track record in implementing environmental legislation, environmental assessments and public participation rights.

Members of the European Parliament from several political groups referred directly to the developments in Vjosa–Narta, the ongoing citizen mobilisation and the need for Albania to fully comply with EU environmental standards.

"The message from Brussels is simple: EU membership is not only about opening and closing chapters. It is about demonstrating in practice that European standards are respected when it matters most" said Viktor Berishaj, Senior EU Policy Officer at EuroNatur.

For many citizens who have taken to the streets in recent weeks, today's vote is an important sign that their concerns are being heard at the European level.

“We appreciate that the debate around Vjosa–Narta has now moved to the EU, and in line with the discussion happening in Albania. The discussion around Vjosa–Narta now goes far beyond environmental protection alone, it has become part of a broader European discussion about the rule of law, democratic participation, transparency and the credibility of the enlargement process itself” said Aleksandër Trajçe, Executive Director of PPNEA.

The citizens who have peacefully mobilised in recent weeks are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for the same thing that the European Union is asking from Albania, to respect for the law, transparency in decision-making and effective protection of areas recognised for their ecological value.

Background information:

The Vjosa–Narta Protected Landscape is one of Albania's most important coastal ecosystems and a candidate Emerald Network site under the Bern Convention. The area forms part of a major migratory route used by hundreds of bird species travelling between Europe, Africa and the Mediterranean and is expected to become part of the future Natura 2000 network upon Albania's accession to the European Union.

The area has been at the centre of environmental concerns for several years following the construction of Vlora International Airport within the wider protected landscape. In 2023, the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention adopted Recommendation No. 219, calling on Albania to suspend airport construction pending a new and comprehensive environmental assessment and to strengthen safeguards for the protected area.

In 2024, Albania amended its Law on Protected Areas, allowing certain tourism and development activities within protected areas. These amendments have been criticised by environmental organisations, scientists and European institutions. The European Parliament and the European Commission have repeatedly expressed concerns that the amendments are incompatible with EU nature protection standards and have called for their repeal as part of Albania's obligations under Chapter 27 of the accession negotiations.

In recent months, additional tourism developments proposed within the Vjosa–Narta protected area have triggered widespread public concern and peaceful protests across Albania. The debate has increasingly focused on environmental governance, public participation, compliance with EU environmental legislation and the credibility of environmental conditionality during the accession process.

The European Parliament's report on Albania forms part of the EU's annual assessment of the country's progress towards membership and contributes to the broader political framework guiding Albania's accession negotiations.

Contact: 
Christian Stielow | christian.stielow(at)euronatur.org |+49 7732 – 927215

Lorena Pyze Xhafaj | PPNEA | l.pyzexhafaj@ppnea.org

The bird conservationists immediately alerted the authorities. Shortly afterwards, a suspect attempted to destroy evidence by removing the carcasses. However, the police were able to secure them and arrested a 57-year-old man. He is accused of, among other things, environmental crimes and obstruction of justice.

The case once again highlights the scale of illegal poisoning in Serbia: “Since 2000, more than 3,000 wild animals have been affected by poisoning. Such incidents pose a massive threat to the painstaking efforts to reintroduce endangered species,” says Dr Justine Vansynghel, Bird Conservation Project Manager at EuroNatur. “The criminal penalty will likely amount to a fine or a suspended prison sentence. The authorities have reacted swiftly and decisively in this case; our partners at BPSSS have been working towards this for years,” says Vansynghel.

When the environment chapter of the EU accession process was opened in September 2025, the EU and Albania agreed that the controversial amendment to Albania’s Protected Areas Act would be withdrawn by the end of 2027. It was also agreed that all projects would be planned and implemented in accordance with EU Environmental Impact Assessment requirements. 

The current evidence suggests that the government in Tirana is unwilling to abide by this agreement. By amending the Protected Areas Act two years ago, the Albanian government has paved the way for reckless tourism expansion at the expense of its most precious natural heritage.

EuroNatur, together with Albanian and international partner organisations, is therefore calling for an immediate halt to construction, full transparency regarding permits, and a rigorous review of the case at the EU level. 

“The ongoing construction work in an existing nature reserve not only endangers unique natural heritage but also undermines Albania’s credibility in the EU enlargement process,” says Gabriel Schwaderer, Executive Director of EuroNatur. “Agreements made with the EU are being trampled underfoot by the Albanian government. The EU must now urgently increase pressure on the government in Tirana to ensure that the destruction of nature in one of Europe’s most important natural areas is stopped immediately.”

Background information:

• The Vjosa-Narta Protected Landscape forms part of the delta system of Vjosa-Shkumbin Rivers, the last remaining intact delta system in the Mediterranean. It is one of Europe’s most ecologically valuable regions and provides a habitat for more than 200 bird species as well as over 70 endangered species, including the strictly protected Mediterranean monk seal and sea turtles.
• The Vjosa gained widespread recognition in 2023, following a decade-long campaign by EuroNatur and its partner organisations Riverwatch and EcoAlbania. The river was designated Europe’s first wild river national park and protected by the Albanian government. At the same time, the construction of Vlora Airport was pushed ahead with.

Enquiries: 

Christian Stielow, christian.stielow(at)euronatur.org, +49/7732 9272 15

To coincide with World Migratory Bird Day, the annual meeting of the European Stork Villages Network (ESVN) will take place from 7 to 9 May 2026 in the Bulgarian stork village of Belozem. With around 40 breeding pairs, Belozem is considered one of the villages with the highest stork populations in South-Eastern Europe. At this year’s ESVN meeting, representatives from stork villages across numerous countries will come together to exchange experiences in stork conservation, present new environmental education projects and develop joint strategies for the protection of the white stork along its migration routes. 

“Migratory birds such as the White Stork connect habitats, countries and cultures. Their protection can only succeed through joint efforts – and that is precisely what the European Stork Villages Network stands for,” says Dr Justine Vansynghel, project manager at EuroNatur. “The meetings of the Stork Villages demonstrate how important networking and the exchange of ideas are for successful local nature conservation – but they do not replace the responsibility of politicians to implement measures to protect migratory birds.”

A particular highlight of this meeting is the participation of international guests in the 20th anniversary of the White Stork Festival in Belozem – a public celebration featuring guided stork tours, a cultural programme and insights into local nature conservation projects. Also planned is the release of a tagged White Stork, whose migration route can later be scientifically tracked using the GPS transmitter. The data obtained in this way provides valuable insights into migration routes, resting places and threats, such as electrocution or illegal killing, faced by the species on its journey to and from its wintering grounds.

With the meeting in Belozem, the European Network of Stork Villages emphasises that local commitment and international cooperation are inextricably linked – very much in the spirit of World Migratory Bird Day.

Background information:

• The ‘European Stork Villages’ initiative: Since 1994, EuroNatur has been designating villages and communities as ‘European Stork Villages’ where large numbers of storks live and where there is a significant commitment to stork conservation. In so doing, EuroNatur is creating a growing alliance for the protection of these long-legged birds and countering the increasing loss of habitat for this species in Europe. Belozem, situated in central southern Bulgaria, was awarded the title in 2005. 
• World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated every year on two Saturdays in May and October to highlight the need for international cooperation on the protection of migratory birds. Events include bird festivals, educational programmes, film screenings and excursions. This year’s theme is ‘Every bird counts – your observations matter!’, highlighting the importance of citizen science.

Contact: 
Christian Stielow, | christian.stielow@euronatur.org |+49 7732 – 927215