Yesterday, thursday 5 November, EOCA opened its 2026 Project Vote, inviting people to help choose which conservation projects receive funding from its outdoor industry members. Voting closes at 12:00 GMT / 13:00 CET on Tuesday 17 November 2026.
The shortlisted projects bring together local organisations and communities working to protect threatened wildlife, restore habitats and support livelihoods connected to healthy ecosystems.
The two projects receiving the most votes will be selected for EOCA funding, subject to final checks and verification. Funding is made possible by the collective support of EOCA’s outdoor industry members.
The Shortlisted Projects:
1. Name of project: Restoring Doñana after Las Peñuelas Wildfire, Spain
Organisation: WWF Spain
Restoring habitat damaged by the 2017 Las Peñuelas wildfire in Doñana. The project will create a more diverse, fire-resilient habitat, involving local people and volunteers in planting, maintenance and monitoring.
2. Name of project: Restoring and Reconnecting Rivers in the Forest of Dean, UK
Organisation: Severn Rivers Trust
Creating over a hectare of wetland at Westbury Court Gardens to improve water quality and provide habitat for fish, amphibians, insects and birds. Local schools, volunteers and community groups will take part in planting, guided walks and citizen science.
3. Name of project: The Beaver’s Return: Preparing Rivers for Their Expansion, Portugal
Organisation: Rewilding Portugal
Restoring three streams in the Douro region as beavers begin returning naturally to Portugal. The project will remove invasive trees, plant 5000 native trees and build two small beaver-style dams to improve river habitat and water retention.
4. Name of project: Give Rivers Back to Otters, Italy
Organisation: Io Non Ho Paura Del Lupo
Restoring habitats along the Taro, Vara and Magra rivers to support the return of otters and other wildlife.
Activities include restoring a side channel, planting native vegetation, installing nesting boxes and clearing illegal waste, with local people involved in caring for the rivers.
5. Name of project: Scaling Up Locally Led Hirola Habitat Restoration, Kenya
Organisation: Hirola Conservation Program
Working with local communities to restore habitat for the critically endangered hirola antelope. The project combines habitat restoration, environmental education and public awareness to support the species’ survival.
6. Name of project: Restoring Wetlands for Fishing Cats and Communities, Nepal
Organisation: Wild Care Nepal
Working with Indigenous Malaha fishing communities to clear invasive water hyacinth from 100 hectares of wetland and restock native fish. The project will also train local guides and support women-led homestays, connecting fishing cat conservation with local livelihoods.
7. Name of project: The Kelpers: Restoring Kelp Forests, Norway
Organisation: Rissa Citizen Science
Supporting community volunteers restoring kelp forests near Tromsø. By removing sea urchins that prevent kelp from recovering, the project aims to bring back habitat for fish and other marine wildlife in Northern Norway.
8. Name of project: Guardians of the Forest: Protecting Sunda Pangolins, Laos
Organisation: Lao Conservation Trust for Wildlife
Protecting 3000 hectares of pangolin habitat in Phou Khao Khouay National Park through ranger patrols, thermal drones and camera traps. Conservation workshops and tracking rehabilitated pangolins after release will support community involvement and improve understanding of the species.
9. Name of project: Rosewood and Bees: Conserving Forests and Livelihoods, Peru
Organisation: Camino Verde
Working with Indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon to restore degraded forest and support sustainable livelihoods. Families are replanting endangered rosewood alongside native species and keeping native stingless bees, combining biodiversity protection with forest-based income.
Click here to choose your project and cast your vote
INFO: EOCA
