03/06/2026
π FLOROZON at the 1st European Forum on Environmental Human Rights Defenders
π Council of Europe, Strasbourg, France
π
3β4 June 2026
This first-of-its-kind European forum brings together around 400 participants, including environmental human rights defenders, civil society organisations, grassroots movements, public institutions, policymakers, human rights bodies and international organisations. The Forum provides an important platform for exchanging experiences, identifying gaps in existing protection mechanisms and developing concrete recommendations to strengthen the safety, participation and effective protection of environmental defenders across Europe.
The discussions focus on the challenges faced by individuals and organisations working to protect the environment and defend fundamental rights, including:
πΉ access to environmental information;
πΉ meaningful public participation in environmental decision-making;
πΉ access to justice in environmental matters;
πΉ freedom of expression, assembly and association;
πΉ stronger institutional protection mechanisms for environmental defenders.
The Forum is co-led by the Council of Europe, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention, in cooperation with the UNECE Aarhus Convention Secretariat and civil society organisations active across Europe!
For FLOROZON, participation in this Forum represents an important opportunity to exchange experiences, strengthen regional cooperation and contribute to the broader European dialogue on environmental democracy, the rule of law and the protection of those who stand up for a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.