FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Three of the European outdoor industry’s leading campaign organisations have announced a partnership designed to boost advocacy for the sector. Protect Our Winters Europe (POW), the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) and the It’s Great Out There Coalition (IGOT) will work together to coordinate public affairs activity, maximising its impact and minimising duplication. The three organisations will collaborate with specialist consultancy Ohana Public Affairs to roll out a sustained programme of engagement with policy makers that supports the outdoor industry’s objectives relating to CSR and sustainability, conservation, and the promotion of getting active in nature responsibly and inclusively.
POW, EOCA and IGOT are well-established non-profits in the outdoor sector. All three campaign on key issues that matter to businesses and other stakeholders operating in the industry, working closely with companies to advocate on a range of issues. With the support of Ohana, they will align their public affairs activities to engage and mobilise the collective influence of the industry, particularly in relation to upcoming policy developments. The partnership is intended to provide a single, stronger advocacy voice for the outdoors, behind which all stakeholders can unite to campaign on shared issues.
Margo de Lange, secretary general of the It’s Great Out There Coalition, comments: “Proactive and effective advocacy is vitally important to drive change, not only in our industry, but also on a much larger stage, making positive differences for society and the planet as a whole. However, the issues at hand are far too big for a single NGO to tackle alone. We need a more holistic approach, so we have come together to deliver just that.”
Dan Yates, executive director of the European Outdoor Conservation Association, adds: “Public affairs activity is fundamental to the work of all three organisations and while the areas that we work on are distinct, there is sometimes an overlap, and definitely duplication in who we engage with, whether that be industry stakeholders or policy makers. This partnership will provide a critical mass and a single focus for the outdoor sector’s advocacy programme, which will in turn deliver greater impact and clearer communications about that collective work.”
Jonas Schneider, executive director at Protect Our Winters Europe, comments: “With Ohana, we have developed a policy matrix that captures the key thematic priorities for each organisation, and identifies the opportunities for engaging with policy makers. We will now roll out activity that consistently and persistently targets the right institutions and individuals. This coordinated approach will allow the outdoor industry to pierce the sometimes seemingly impenetrable Brussels bubble. The result will be a win-win for all involved, and for our industry as a whole.”
To register an interest in learning more about and supporting the joint advocacy work, complete the form HERE.
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For more information please contact Chris Lines on +44 (0) 7971 868329 or chris@rightlines.info
NOTE TO EDITORS
About Protect Our Winters Europe
POW Europe unites 10 national non-profits under one umbrella, rallying the outdoor community, athletes, scientists, creatives, and businesses, to lead on climate action. By equipping brands and individuals with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to engage in climate advocacy, POW is building a stronger, more coordinated outdoor movement for ambitious, fair, and science-based solutions. The message is clear: If Europe is serious about its climate goals, corporate voices cannot remain on the sidelines. They must be part of the solution. And the time to act is now. Visit https://protectourwinters.eu for more information.
About the European Outdoor Conservation Association
The European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) is an initiative powered by the European outdoor industry with the objective of protecting the wild places we all care so passionately about. Designed to harness the incredible power of the outdoor recreation industry by investing in nature positive action, conserving threatened ecosystems, and advocating for nature, EOCA is supported by membership and fundraising within the outdoor community. Membership is open to anyone involved in the European outdoor recreation sector. From January 2015, a select group of ‘Sustaining Members’ pledged their support to EOCA by committing to fund the sustainable growth of the organisation, This money is being used to finance the Association’s core running costs, supporting its sustainable growth, and has enabled a move to 2 funding rounds per year. The current EOCA Sustaining Members are: Bemis, Cumulus, KEEN Footwear, Nikwax, Osprey, Pertex, Stanley, The North Face and (founding member) the European Outdoor Group (EOG). To find out more about EOCA visit: www.eocaconservation.org
About the It’s Great Out There Coalition
It’s Great Out There is a not-for-profit collaboration launched by the outdoor industry in 2017 to increase public awareness of the benefits of outdoor activities for individuals and society. The coalition’s mission is to "Get Europe Active Outdoors." By motivating, activating, and advocating, IGOT seeks to inspire and enable individuals and communities across Europe to engage in outdoor activities. The organisation is committed to promoting diverse, inclusive, and responsible participation in outdoor pursuits. Find out more at www.itsgreatoutthere.com
