{"id":32,"date":"2022-08-30T07:04:03","date_gmt":"2022-08-30T07:04:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/?page_id=32"},"modified":"2026-10-13T18:52:20","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T18:52:20","slug":"news","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/news\/","title":{"rendered":"News"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">13 October 2026<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"275\" height=\"262\" src=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Mundus-Spelaus_2026_logo.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-922\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.0496809208564442;width:226px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1\">Workshop on Karst Underground Preservation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pazin, Croatia, November 14<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a02026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The European Cave Protection Commission is inviting to its wokshop held during the 18th EuroSpeleo Forum in Pazin on Saturday 14th of November 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the schedule are numerous presentations around cave and karst cleaning and conservation topics from around Erope and karst regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several presentations are held by Winners of the EuroSpeleo Protection Label from the years 2018-2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8211; PROTEctUS \u2013 Cleaning and Protecting Cave Habitats for the Conservation of the Black Olm; (SI)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8211; Clean underground: a grassroots model of cave protection; (HR)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8211; Twenty Years of &#8220;Puliamo il Buio&#8221;: Cleaning, Mapping, and Protecting Italy&#8217;s Subterranean Caves; (IT)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8211; Further are there presentations by representants from Institutions scheduled; the Ministry of the Environmental Protection and Green Transition from Croatia, The Public Institute of Natural History, the European Cave Protection Commission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don&#8217;t miss this opportunity and take part in this unique workshop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Link to the official website of the 18th EuroSpeleo Forum 2026 in Pazin, Croatia from 13-15 November 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.speleo.hr\/mundus-spelaeus-en\/\">https:\/\/www.speleo.hr\/mundus-spelaeus-en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">13 October 2026<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-virtue-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2\">&#8216;MY HEALTH AND NATURE ARE NOT UP FOR SALE\u2019 >>>> Final sprint<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"265\" src=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/HoN_logo.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-848\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.9320165094339623;width:331px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/HoN_logo.png 512w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/HoN_logo-300x155.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The petition closes on\u00a0<strong>20 October<\/strong>. We\u2019re now at around\u00a0<strong>970,350 signatures<\/strong>, meaning we are<em>\u00a0tantalisingly\u00a0<\/em>close to the goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>This is why 1 million voices matters.<\/strong>\u00a0It gives a visible demonstration that people across Europe do not want environmental protection traded away for short-term interests. The number so far has helped to push back in the advocacy in many instances, and the million will solidify the collective stance, and your organisation can proudly say you\u2019ve contributed to the campaign!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What we\u2019re asking you to do<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please use the relationships and networks you already have to help get over the line:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sign now. Don&#8217;t let polluters speak for you. Give nature a voice!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/handsoffnature.eu\/\">https:\/\/handsoffnature.eu\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">11 October 2026<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"342\" src=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/EECO-Screenshot_for-Website-1024x342.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-907\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/EECO-Screenshot_for-Website-1024x342.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/EECO-Screenshot_for-Website-300x100.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/EECO-Screenshot_for-Website-768x256.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/EECO-Screenshot_for-Website.jpg 1486w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>EECO \u2013 European Environmental Cave Outlook<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The European Speleological Federation (FSE) and its European Cave Protection Commission (ECPC) highlight the ongoing development of the&nbsp;<strong>European Environmental Caves Outlook (EECO)<\/strong>. Moddeled after the UN Global Environment Outlook (GEO), this framework addresses the environmental status, pressures, and protection needs of Europe\u2019s subterranean heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/eeco-european-environmental-cave-outlook\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"889\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Find the dedicated page and all documents here on our site.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">23 August 2026<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"179\" src=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/CutD_Banner-1024x179.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/CutD_Banner-1024x179.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/CutD_Banner-300x53.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/CutD_Banner-768x134.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/CutD_Banner-1536x269.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/CutD_Banner-2048x358.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Cleaned caves in Europe &#8211; Six datasets now online<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The European Cave Protection Commission is proud to announce that there are now 6 datasets of cleaned caves in Europe available at the <a href=\"https:\/\/cleanupthedark.org\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/cleanupthedark.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u201cClean-Up the Dark\u201d<\/a> website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following the initial data from Croatia, Slovenia and Italy, there is data now also about cleaned and polluted caves and karst from France and from Germany available.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Furthermore there is a dataset from The Basque Country listed as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In case your organisation has such data it would be a pleasure to integrate this in the Clean-up the Dark database and make efforts of cleaned underground available to all.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cleanupthedark.org\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/cleanupthedark.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Please have a look at the dedicated website.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Clean-up the Dark team<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">16 June 2026<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EuroSpeleoProtectionLabel-2026-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-865\" style=\"width:174px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EuroSpeleoProtectionLabel-2026-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EuroSpeleoProtectionLabel-2026-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EuroSpeleoProtectionLabel-2026-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EuroSpeleoProtectionLabel-2026-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EuroSpeleoProtectionLabel-2026-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/EuroSpeleoProtectionLabel-2026.jpg 1771w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Winner of the EuroSpeleo Protection Label&nbsp;202<\/strong>6<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The European Cave Protection Commission (ECPC) of the European Speleological Federation (FSE), is pleased to announce that following the evaluation of the applications received, the EuroSpeleo Protection Label 2026 has been attributed to the&nbsp;<strong>Jamarski klub Novo mesto (Eng. Caving Club Novo mesto)<\/strong><strong> <\/strong>from&nbsp;Slovenia for their Project:&nbsp;<strong>PROTEctUS \u2013 Cleaning and Protecting Cave Habitats for the Conservation of the Black Olm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The prize is endowed by \u20ac800.- and&nbsp;caving gear from the FSE sponsor Aventure-Verticale. (www.aventureverticale.com)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The link to the ESPL page is here:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/espl\/\">https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/espl\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">10 February 2026<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&#8216;MY HEALTH AND NATURE ARE NOT UP FOR SALE\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New and URGENT <strong>HandsOFFNature<\/strong> Campaign<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Forests are thinning, rivers are drying, wildlife is vanishing. We\u2019re losing clean air, safe water, and the green spaces we rely on. And yet, the European laws that have been safeguarding our nature are being quietly dismantled \u2013 under the false promise of \u201csimplification\u201d. (campaign text)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Simply put: Our nature is under attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We cannot let this happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/handsoffnature.eu\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"265\" src=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/HoN_logo.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-848\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/HoN_logo.png 512w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/HoN_logo-300x155.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sign now. Don&#8217;t let polluters speak for you. Give nature a voice!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/handsoffnature.eu\/\">https:\/\/handsoffnature.eu\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">16 January 2026<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">EuroSpeleo Protection Label 2026 &#8211; Call for Cave Protection Projects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is with great pleasure that the FSE announces the next call for Cave Protection projects to receive the Label \u201cEuroSpeleo Protection 2026\u201d from the ECPC (the European Cave Protection Commission of the FSE).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The EuroSpeleo Protection Label is a European Speleological award managed by the ECPC, financed by the FSE budget. The EuroSpeleo Protection Label will help to promote amongst the speleological clubs of Europe, Cave Protection activities that are designed in an integrated ecological way, taking into account EU environmental directives, the principles of administration of the Natura 2000 sites and the IUCN Guidelines on caves and karst protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With what kind of projects can you apply?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The EuroSpeleo Protection Label will be awarded every year to one unique Cave Protection project. A European speleological jury established by the ECPC Board will make the selection. Any project aiming at protecting caves developed by a club, a local committee or a national commission from a member of the FSE can apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>What are the criteria to receive the FSE EuroSpeleo Protection Label and what is the prize?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no need for participation of cavers from different countries, but the application should be a quality project and the broadcasting of the project presentation and results should be made in a spirit that can be reproduced in other European regions and countries. The application should be sent to <a href=\"mailto:protection@eurospeleo.eu\">protection@eurospeleo.eu<\/a> before <strong>30th of April 2026<\/strong>, in English language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The project must receive the approval from its national speleological organisation, i.e. a letter of support from the national organisation, member of the FSE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The reward for the label 2026 is <strong>800.- EUR<\/strong> plus caving gear from our FSE-sponsor&nbsp;<strong>Aventure-Verticale.<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aventureverticale.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.aventureverticale.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please refer to the ESPL- Guidelines and Application Form published on the FSE site at:<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/espl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/espl\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">12 November 2025<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong><strong>UNESCO proclaims the International Day of Caves and Karst!<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the General Conference of UNESCO in Samarkand (12 November 2025), 13 September was officially proclaimed the International Day of Caves and Karst \u2014 a global recognition of the significance of the hidden world beneath our feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The initiative was proposed to UNESCO by the Republic of Slovenia, following the proposal of the International Union of Speleology (UIS), in close cooperation with the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO, the Permanent Delegation of Slovenia to UNESCO, and the Karst Research Institute ZRC SAZU, where the UIS headquarters has been based in Postojna, Slovenia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Caves and karst cover nearly one quarter of the Earth\u2019s land surface and provide drinking water to over a billion people. They preserve unique subterranean biodiversity, geological archives, and invaluable cultural heritage. Yet, they remain among the least understood and most fragile ecosystems on our planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The International Day of Caves and Karst will help raise global awareness, promote research, education, and international cooperation in science, environmental protection, culture, and sustainable tourism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The UIS warmly thanks all UNESCO Member States that supported the initiative, as well as the UNESCO scientific programmes (IGGP, MAB, IHP) and international partners including the International Science Council (ISC), IUCN, and more than 150 organisations worldwide that endorsed the proposal. Our sincere appreciation goes to the Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO and the Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Slovenia to UNESCO in Paris for their dedicated diplomatic efforts and continuous support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From now on, September 13 will unite the global cave and karst community in celebrating and protecting these vital landscapes \u2014 for science, for nature, and for humanity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Don\u2019t forget, in 2026 we will celebrate the first ever International Day of Caves and Karst on 13 September!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nadja Zupan Hajna, UIS Past President<br>November 12, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">25 October 2025<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Soil-Monitoring-Law-Visual-copy-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-814\" style=\"width:251px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Soil-Monitoring-Law-Visual-copy-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Soil-Monitoring-Law-Visual-copy-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Soil-Monitoring-Law-Visual-copy-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Soil-Monitoring-Law-Visual-copy-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Soil-Monitoring-Law-Visual-copy.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>European Parliament seals the deal of first-ever EU law on soils<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>On October 23<sup>rd<\/sup>&nbsp;2025, EU lawmakers listened to citizens and science and rubber stamped the deal on the Soil Monitoring Law, the EU\u2019s first ever law on soil health, after months of negotiations. Despite severe shortcomings of the endorsed text, this is an important milestone towards addressing Europe\u2019s crisis of soil degradation. Its success will depend on impactful implementation.&nbsp;<\/strong>(EEB text)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before this EEB had collected&nbsp;<strong>51 signatures&nbsp;<\/strong>from organisations to send a statement to all Members of the European Parliament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From these 51 signatures, the amazing number of&nbsp;<strong>7 signatures<\/strong>&nbsp;came form speleological organisations. This is a big success on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4fc3f8e1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These were from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4fc3f8e1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">F\u00e9d\u00e9ration Sp\u00e9l\u00e9ologique Europ\u00e9enne<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hellenic Institute of Speleological Research<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Basque Speleologists\u2019 Union<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">German Speleological Federation<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Romanian Speleological Federation<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Italian Speleological Society<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">European Cave Protection Commission<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4fc3f8e1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Find the statement here on the page of the EEB<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/eeb.org\/library\/ngo-statement-on-the-urgent-need-to-adopt-the-eu-soil-monitoring-law\/\">https:\/\/eeb.org\/library\/ngo-statement-on-the-urgent-need-to-adopt-the-eu-soil-monitoring-law\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4fc3f8e1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">and the EEB News about the outcome of the deal<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/eeb.org\/european-parliament-seals-the-deal-of-first-ever-eu-law-on-soils\/\">https:\/\/eeb.org\/european-parliament-seals-the-deal-of-first-ever-eu-law-on-soils\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It would be great if we could top this number in future open letters and make the cavers voice heard among politicians and in civil society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">20 September 2025<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Summary for the World Cleanup Day on 20. September&nbsp;2025<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the<strong> 2025 World Cleanup Day<\/strong>, a day that is designated by the UN<sup>*1<\/sup>, the ECPC has updated its report about caves and karst cleaning activities in the countries and Regions of the FSE members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With this symbolic summary, the <strong>European Cave Protection Commission (ECPC)<\/strong>, a commission of the European Speleological Federation (FSE) would like to make the public aware of its strives to clean the caves. The ECPC further tries to persuade other caving friends to become aware of waste situations in caves and crevasses and step towards actions to get it out.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ECPC_Summary_World-Cleanup-Day_20250920_lr3.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Please find the updated summary here:<\/a> (updated 20250922)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">*1&nbsp;<em>On 8 December 2023, the United Nations General Assembly, in its seventy-eighth session, unanimously adopted resolution 78\/122 \u201cWorld Cleanup Day\u201d, which proclaims 20 September as World Cleanup Day.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">01 July 2025<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/ECPC_Summary_World-Cleanup-Day_20240920.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Please find the report here on our website following this link.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/EuroSpeleoProtectionLabel-2025-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-796\" style=\"width:276px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/EuroSpeleoProtectionLabel-2025-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/EuroSpeleoProtectionLabel-2025-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/EuroSpeleoProtectionLabel-2025-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/EuroSpeleoProtectionLabel-2025-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/EuroSpeleoProtectionLabel-2025-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/EuroSpeleoProtectionLabel-2025.jpg 1771w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Winner of the EuroSpeleo Protection Label&nbsp;2025<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The European Cave Protection Commission (ECPC) of the European Speleological Federation (FSE), is pleased to announce that following the evaluation of the applications received, the EuroSpeleo Protection Label 2025has been attributed to the&nbsp;<strong>Speleological Society of Thessaloniki \u201cPROTEAS\u201d<\/strong> from&nbsp;Greece&nbsp;for their Project:&nbsp;<strong>Conservation of the Unique Cave Ecosystems of Aoos-Vjosa River Basin<\/strong>.   (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/espl\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"16\">link to the ESPL Projects<\/a>) <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The prize is endowed this year by \u20ac800.- and&nbsp;a basic Lamp System&nbsp;from the FSE sponsor \u201cScurion\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">13 June 2025<\/h1>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"313\" src=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cutd_logo_grey-1024x313.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-775\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cutd_logo_grey-1024x313.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cutd_logo_grey-300x92.png 300w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cutd_logo_grey-768x235.png 768w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cutd_logo_grey-1536x470.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cutd_logo_grey-2048x626.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Summary for the World Cleanup Day on 20. September&nbsp;2025<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the FSE&#8217;s key objectives is the protection and conservation of caves and karst. We want to expand our efforts in collecting information about cleaning activities and situations in the home countries of all FSE member-organisations. Last year with the help of several ECPC members we drafted a document (with very short deadlines) and succeeded in gathering data on 10 countries\/regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cleanupthedark.org\/2024\/10\/04\/world-cleanup-day-september-20th\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">World Cleanup Day, September 20th | CleanUptheDark<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">[link: https:\/\/cleanupthedark.org\/2024\/10\/04\/world-cleanup-day-september-20th\/]\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This year we invite each FSE member-organisation to join in and send us the information concerning your cleaning activities. Remember, this does not need to be a large report but basic facts and a general overview. Photos of activities would be highly appreciated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For those who already participated in the 2024 document, please send us updates if considered important!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Deadline to send data is&nbsp;<strong>September 8<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>2025<\/strong>&nbsp;at latest to give us time to edit a proper joint statement. We will send an occasional reminder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The target date to publish this updated document is the I<strong>nternational World Cleanup Day<\/strong>&nbsp;(September 20<sup>th<\/sup>), so this time around there&#8217;s plenty of time to draft it. Please help us to&nbsp;make it as effective as possible. Please sent your input to protection@eurospeleo.eu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4fc3f8e1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thank you for your collaboration<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clean-up the dark Working Group<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ECPC Commission<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">31 March 2025<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Join the Research on the Louisiana Red Crayfish and Help Protect Underground Ecosystems!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The&nbsp;<strong>Louisiana Red Crayfish<\/strong>&nbsp;(<em>Procambarus clarkii<\/em>) is an invasive species threatening underground aquatic ecosystems. To tackle this challenge,&nbsp;<strong>Tetide APS<\/strong>has launched a monitoring and control project in collaboration with a vast network of international experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udf0d&nbsp;<strong>An International Collaboration Project<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This initiative brings together partners from&nbsp;<strong>Italy, Croatia, Greece, Israel, and Kosovo<\/strong>, uniting scientists, speleologists, and volunteers to monitor the spread of the species and develop conservation strategies. This&nbsp;<strong>multidisciplinary and transnational approach<\/strong>&nbsp;fosters the exchange of knowledge and methodologies, enhancing the effectiveness of control actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83d\udd0e&nbsp;<strong>Who Are We Looking For?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We are recruiting&nbsp;<strong>volunteers<\/strong>&nbsp;passionate about nature and environmental conservation to assist with sampling and data collection.&nbsp;<strong>No prior experience is required<\/strong>\u2014we provide all necessary training!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udfde&nbsp;<strong>What Will You Do?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2714&nbsp;<strong>Field monitoring:<\/strong>&nbsp;Participate in sampling expeditions in groundwater systems.<br>\u2714&nbsp;<strong>Data collection:<\/strong>&nbsp;Help record environmental and biometric parameters of the species.<br>\u2714&nbsp;<strong>International collaboration:<\/strong>&nbsp;Work closely with experts and volunteers from different countries.<br>\u2714&nbsp;<strong>Awareness campaigns:<\/strong>&nbsp;Contribute to informing local communities about conservation efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\ud83c\udf93&nbsp;<strong>Why Join Us?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2705&nbsp;<strong>Learning:<\/strong>&nbsp;Hands-on training with international experts.<br>\u2705&nbsp;<strong>Scientific contribution:<\/strong>&nbsp;Your work will provide valuable data to help control the invasive crayfish.<br>\u2705&nbsp;<strong>Unique experience:<\/strong>&nbsp;Be part of a multidisciplinary and international team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83d\udce9&nbsp;<strong>How to Join?<\/strong><br>Visit our official page&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tetide.org\/louisiana-red-crayfish-in-groundwater\/\">https:\/\/www.tetide.org\/louisiana-red-crayfish-in-groundwater\/<\/a>&nbsp;and fill out the application form!<br>For more information, contact us at&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"mailto:info@tetide.org\">info@tetide.org<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">26 November 2024<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">EuroSpeleo Protection Label 2025 &#8211; Call for Cave Protection Projects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is with great pleasure that the FSE announces the next call for Cave Protection projects to receive the Label \u201cEuroSpeleo Protection 2025\u201d from the ECPC (the European Cave Protection Commission of the FSE).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The EuroSpeleo Protection Label is a European Speleological award managed by the ECPC, financed by the FSE budget. The EuroSpeleo Protection Label will help to promote amongst the speleological clubs of Europe, Cave Protection activities that are designed in an integrated ecological way, taking into account EU environmental directives, the principles of administration of the Natura 2000 sites and the IUCN Guidelines on caves and karst protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With what kind of projects can you apply?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The EuroSpeleo Protection Label will be awarded every year to one unique Cave Protection project. A European speleological jury established by the ECPC Board will make the selection. Any project aiming at protecting caves developed by a club, a local committee or a national commission from a member of the FSE can apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>What are the criteria to receive the FSE EuroSpeleo Protection Label and what is the prize?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no need for participation of cavers from different countries, but the application should be a quality project and the broadcasting of the project presentation and results should be made in a spirit that can be reproduced in other European regions and countries. The application should be sent to <a href=\"mailto:protection@eurospeleo.eu\">protection@eurospeleo.eu<\/a> before <strong>30th of April 2025<\/strong>, in English language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The project must receive the approval from its national speleological organisation, i.e. a letter of support from the national organisation, member of the FSE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The reward for the label 2025 is <strong>800.- EUR<\/strong> plus a lamp set from our FSE-sponsor&nbsp;<strong>Scurion.<\/strong>  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scurion.ch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.scurion.ch<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please refer to the ESPL- Guidelines and Application Form published on the FSE site at:<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/espl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/espl\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">20 September 2024<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The 20th September is the World Cleanup Day<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the 2024 World Cleanup Day, a day that is designated by the UN<sup>*1<\/sup>, the ECPC is publishing a small report about caves and karst cleaning activities in the countries and Regions of some ECPC and FSE members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With this symbolic summary, the European Cave Protection Commission (ECPC), a commission of the European Speleological Federation (FSE) would like to make the public aware of its strives to clean the caves. The ECPC further tries to persuade other caving friends to become aware of waste situations in caves and crevasses and step towards actions to get it out.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/ECPC_Summary_World-Cleanup-Day_20240920.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Please find the report here on our website following this link.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">*1&nbsp;<em>On 8 December 2023, the United Nations General Assembly, in its seventy-eighth session, unanimously adopted resolution 78\/122 \u201cWorld Cleanup Day\u201d, which proclaims 20 September as World Cleanup Day.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">17 June 2024<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Winner of the EuroSpeleo Protection Label 2024<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"857\" src=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Balbone-Cave-1024x857.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-717\" style=\"width:272px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Balbone-Cave-1024x857.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Balbone-Cave-300x251.png 300w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Balbone-Cave-768x643.png 768w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Balbone-Cave.png 1324w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The European Cave Protection Commission (ECPC) of the European Speleological Federation (FSE), is pleased to announce that following the evaluation of the applications received, the EuroSpeleo Protection Label 2024 has been attributed to the <strong>Comit\u00e9 d\u00e9partemental de sp\u00e9l\u00e9ologie de l\u2019Aude<\/strong> from France for their Project: <strong>Wonderful aragonite: protect, study and carefully show Balbonne cave<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The prize is endowed by \u20ac800.- and 200m of rope from the FSE sponsor &#8220;Korda&#8217;s&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">17 June 2024<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Historic win for EU&#8217;s nature: EU Council seals the deal on Nature Restoration Law<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Today, after a nail-biting last discussion, the EU Environmental Council finally adopted the Nature Restoration Law (NRL), marking the last step for this long-awaited proposal to become law. This outcome is a huge win for Europe\u2019s nature, climate action, citizens and future.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Member States followed through with their commitments and with a majority of 20 countries, representing 66.07% of the population, the law was officially endorsed, thanks to Austria\u2019s Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler stepping up at the last minute, changing the country\u2019s previous stance and safeguarding the law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The #RestoreNature coalition, consisting of BirdLife Europe, ClientEarth, EEB and WWF EU, says: \u201cToday\u2019s vote is a massive victory for Europe\u2019s nature and citizens who have been long calling for immediate action to tackle nature\u2019s alarming decline. After years of intense campaigning and many ups and downs, we are jubilant that this law is now reality &#8211; this day will go down in history as a turning point for nature and society. Now, we need all hands on deck: Member States must properly implement this legislation without delay in their countries, in close collaboration with all involved stakeholders. At the end of the day, nature can rebounce, for the benefit of our climate, biodiversity and people!\u201d &#8230;..<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">(See the full text following the below link)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/wwf.eu\/media-invitation-eu-nature-restoration-law-expectations-2792312?e=f1bd8b87d3\">https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/wwf.eu\/media-invitation-eu-nature-restoration-law-expectations-2792312?e=f1bd8b87d3<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">FSE is a full member of<a href=\"http:\/\/www.eeb.org\"> EEB<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">15 April 2024<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reminder &#8211; EuroSpeleo Protection Symposium &amp; <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">EuroSpeleo Protection Label<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is a reminder for the EuroSpeleo Protection Symposium held between 9-13 September 2024 in Slovakia.The deadline will be on the&nbsp;<strong>22<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;of&nbsp;April 2024<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Further is this a reminder for the EuroSpeleo Protection Label 2024. The deadline will be on the&nbsp;<strong>30<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;of&nbsp;April 2024<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>EuroSpeleo Protection Symposium 9-13 September 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please find the first Circular of our 7<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;EuroSpeleo Protection Symposium held in Slovakia from 9<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;to 13<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;September 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&#8220;<\/strong><strong>WATER&nbsp;in caves and karst<\/strong><strong>&#8221;&nbsp;<\/strong><strong><em>Understanding &#8211; Vulnerability \u2013 Protection<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 2024 EuroSpeleo Protection Symposium\u2019s theme of&nbsp;\u201cWATER&nbsp;in Caves and Karst\u201d<em>&nbsp;Understanding \u2013 Vulnerability \u2013 Protection<\/em>\u201d&nbsp;will focus on scientific and technical aspects of water&nbsp;in caves and karst. Protection and conservation, through speleological input, exchange of best practice and sharing of knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please use the application form for participation and for sending your abstracts before the&nbsp;<strong>22<sup>st<\/sup>&nbsp;of April 2024. (extendet deadline)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The First circular as well as the application form may also be downloaded from our website: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/esps\">https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/esps<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>EuroSpeleo Protection Label 2024<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is with great pleasure that the FSE announces the next call for Cave Protection projects to receive the Label \u201cEuroSpeleo Protection 2024\u201d from the ECPC (the European Cave Protection Commission of the FSE).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The EuroSpeleo Protection Label is a European Speleological award managed by the ECPC, financed by the FSE budget. The EuroSpeleo Protection Label will help to promote amongst the speleological clubs of Europe, Cave Protection activities that are designed in an integrated ecological way, taking into account EU environmental directives, the principles of administration of the Natura 2000 sites and the IUCN Guidelines on caves and karst protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With what kind of projects can you apply?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The EuroSpeleo Protection Label will be awarded every year to one unique Cave Protection project. A European speleological jury established by the ECPC Board will make the selection. Any project aiming at protecting caves developed by a club, a local committee or a national commission from a member of the FSE can apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>What are the criteria to receive the FSE EuroSpeleo Protection Label and what is the prize?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no need for participation of cavers from different countries, but the application should be a quality project and the broadcasting of the project presentation and results should be made in a spirit that can be reproduced in other European regions and countries. The application should be sent to&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:protection@eurospeleo.eu\">protection@eurospeleo.eu<\/a>&nbsp;before&nbsp;<strong>30th of April 2024<\/strong>, in English language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The project must receive the approval from its national speleological organization, i.e. a letter of support from the national organisation, member of the FSE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The reward for the label 2024 is&nbsp;<strong>800.- EUR<\/strong>&nbsp;plus caving rope from our FSE-sponsor Korda&#8217;s.&nbsp;<em>(<a href=\"https:\/\/sacidkordas.com\/\">https:\/\/sacidkordas.com<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please refer to the ESPL- Guidelines and Application Form published on the FSE site at:<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/espl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/espl\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">02 April 2024<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7th EuroSpeleo Protection Symposium 2024 &#8211; Reminder and registration deadline extension<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 7<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;EuroSpeleo Protection Symposium will be held in Slovakia from 9<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;to 13<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;September 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&#8220;<\/strong><strong>WATER&nbsp;in caves and karst<\/strong><strong>&#8221;&nbsp;<\/strong><strong><em>Understanding &#8211; Vulnerability \u2013 Protection<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 2024 EuroSpeleo Protection Symposium\u2019s theme of&nbsp;\u201cWATER&nbsp;in Caves and Karst\u201d<em>&nbsp;Understanding \u2013 Vulnerability \u2013 Protection<\/em>\u201d&nbsp;will focus on scientific and technical aspects of water&nbsp;in caves and karst. Protection and conservation, through speleological input, exchange of best practice and sharing of knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please use the application form for participation and for sending your abstracts before the&nbsp;<strong>22<sup>nd<\/sup>&nbsp;of April 2024.<\/strong>&nbsp;(extended deadline)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The First circular as well as the application form may also be downloaded from our website:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/espl\/\">https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/esps<\/a>\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">06 January 2024 <\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">EuroSpeleo Protection Label 2024 &#8211; Call for Cave Protection Projects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is with great pleasure that the FSE announces the next call for Cave Protection projects to receive the Label \u201cEuroSpeleo Protection 2024\u201d from the ECPC (the European Cave Protection Commission of the FSE).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The EuroSpeleo Protection Label is a European Speleological award managed by the ECPC, financed by the FSE budget. The EuroSpeleo Protection Label will help to promote amongst the speleological clubs of Europe, Cave Protection activities that are designed in an integrated ecological way, taking into account EU environmental directives, the principles of administration of the Natura 2000 sites and the IUCN Guidelines on caves and karst protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With what kind of projects can you apply?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The EuroSpeleo Protection Label will be awarded every year to one unique Cave Protection project. A European speleological jury established by the ECPC Board will make the selection. Any project aiming at protecting caves developed by a club, a local committee or a national commission from a member of the FSE can apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>What are the criteria to receive the FSE EuroSpeleo Protection Label and what is the prize?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no need for participation of cavers from different countries, but the application should be a quality project and the broadcasting of the project presentation and results should be made in a spirit that can be reproduced in other European regions and countries. The application should be sent to <a href=\"mailto:protection@eurospeleo.eu\">protection@eurospeleo.eu<\/a> before <strong>30th of April 202<\/strong>4, in English language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The project must receive the approval from its national speleological organization, i.e. a letter of support from the national organisation, member of the FSE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The reward for the label 2024 is <strong>800.- EUR<\/strong> plus caving rope from our FSE-sponsor Korda&#8217;s. <em>(<a href=\"https:\/\/sacidkordas.com\">https:\/\/sacidkordas.com<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please refer to the ESPL- Guidelines and Application Form published on the FSE site at:<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/espl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/espl\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Best Speleo Wishes, The ECPC team<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">26 December 2023 <\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7th EuroSpeleo Protection Symposium 2024 &#8211; First Circular<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"627\" src=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/7ESPS_Title-1024x627.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-692\" style=\"width:344px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/7ESPS_Title-1024x627.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/7ESPS_Title-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/7ESPS_Title-768x470.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/7ESPS_Title-80x50.jpg 80w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/7ESPS_Title.jpg 1528w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please find the first Circular of our 7<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;EuroSpeleo Protection Symposium held in Slovakia from 9<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;to 13<sup>th<\/sup>&nbsp;September 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&#8220;WATER&nbsp;<\/strong><strong>in caves and karst<\/strong><strong>&#8221;&nbsp;<em>Understanding &#8211; Vulnerability \u2013 Protection<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 2024 EuroSpeleo Protection Symposium\u2019s theme of&nbsp;\u201cWATER&nbsp;in Caves and Karst\u201d<em>&nbsp;Understanding \u2013 Vulnerability \u2013 Protection<\/em>\u201d&nbsp;will focus on scientific and technical aspects of water&nbsp;in caves and karst. Protection and conservation, through speleological input, exchange of best practice and sharing of knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please use the application form for participation and for sending your abstracts before the&nbsp;<strong>1<sup>st<\/sup>&nbsp;of April 2024.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The First circular as well as the application form may also be downloaded from our website: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/esps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/esps\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">20 December 2023 <\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cave closure methods request from the&nbsp;Environment Commission of the FFS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"770\" src=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Cave_Gate_01-1024x770.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-659\" style=\"width:326px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Cave_Gate_01-1024x770.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Cave_Gate_01-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Cave_Gate_01-768x578.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Cave_Gate_01-1536x1155.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Cave_Gate_01-2048x1541.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u00a9JC Thies<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please find a request from our French colleagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Following the environmental team training course organized by the FFS which had as its subject the cave of Saint Eucher (84), the Environment Commission of the FFS is seeking feedback on cavity closure systems which could be tested following the creation of &#8216;a new access or disob. What interests us would obviously be to find effective closure methods to avoid changes in climatic conditions in the cavity. Also, we are asking for feedback on experiences.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please share your experiences with the FFS Commission&#8217;s email list:&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:environnement@listes.speleos.fr\">environnement@listes.speleos.fr<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Marie Cl\u00e9lia Lankester; Deputy President of the Environment Commission<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">17 December 2023 <\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">ESPL 2023 &#8211;&nbsp;<strong>Technical Guidance on Archaeological Conservation in Caves<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.caving.ie\/publications\/conservation-access-policy\/technical-guidance-on-archaeological-conservation-in-caves\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Caving_Booklet_screenshot-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-646\" style=\"width:345px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Caving_Booklet_screenshot-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Caving_Booklet_screenshot-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Caving_Booklet_screenshot-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Caving_Booklet_screenshot-1536x865.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Caving_Booklet_screenshot.png 1954w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">@CSG<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recently during the&nbsp;Caving Symposium SUICRO 2023&nbsp;in Enniskillen the&nbsp;Cork Speleological Group&nbsp;have presented the&nbsp;EuroSpeleo Protection Label Certificate&nbsp;and the project that has been awarded with the protection label form ECPC in 2023. They received felicitations&nbsp;by Aodh\u00e1n \u00d3 Gabhann,&nbsp;Chairperson of Speleological Union of Ireland&nbsp;in the name of the Irish cavers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The SUI has now published the booklet<strong>&nbsp;&#8220;Digging into the Past: Preserving Irelands Cultural Heritage through Cave Exploration&#8221;&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.caving.ie\/publications\/conservation-access-policy\/technical-guidance-on-archaeological-conservation-in-caves\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">on their site.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additionally, the booklet has&nbsp;already&nbsp;been used by a local school in County Clare as teaching material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The project has been awarded with a financial grant of 800.-\u20ac from FSE and with equipment gear from the FSE sponsor AV (Aventure Verticale, France)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">31 October 2023 <\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">100 NGO&#8217;s sign an open letter on hydropower<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ECPC together with FSE co-signed a second \u201copen letter\u201d to European Commission on the role of hydropower in the deployment of renewable energies in Europe after a response from the DG for Environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This letter, initiated by WWF and co-signed by 100 NGO\u2019s has been sent on October 20 to several EU administrations and some specialised magazines in Brussels and is once again (after a first letter in spring 2023) pointing out the impact of the installation of hydropower plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 100 NGO\u2019s urge the EU:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8211; To ensure that no new hydropower projects in Europe receive EU financing, in particular through the Resilience and Recovery Facility respecting the do-no-significant-harm pledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8211; When reviewing Member States development plans designating renewable acceleration areas, closely monitor that any planned hydropower development is checked against the EU environmental legislation, including Article 4(7) of the Water Framework Directive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Find the full letter here: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/wwfeu.awsassets.panda.org\/downloads\/ngo-open-letter-hydropower_20-10-2023.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/wwfeu.awsassets.panda.org\/downloads\/ngo-open-letter-hydropower_20-10-2023.pdf<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">03 July 2023 <\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10 days left to save the EU Nature Restoration Law<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please find an urgent call initiated by Birdlife Europe but in representation of more than 200 organisations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">10 days are left to trigger all National decision makers to vote for the &#8220;Restoration Law&#8221; in Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The European Cave Protection Commission is listed among the 200 subscribers for this call. Please make one further step and make a personal call to your decision makers in your own country to vote for this law. It takes one minute only but can make a change for life on our planet, also in our beloved caves, in karstic areas, for groundwater and for soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.restorenature.eu\/en\/take-action\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.restorenature.eu\/en\/take-action<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">29 May 2023 <\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Online Seminar on the Protection of Gypsum Karst <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We would like to invite you to an online seminar on the protection of gypsum karst&nbsp;on June 1st in English language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is organised by the German Speleological Federation VdHK in cooperation with IUCN\/WCPA GSG Cave &amp; Karst Working Group and will be streamed live at the VdHK YouTube channel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=5il3fcBWsVg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=5il3fcBWsVg<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The program may be found <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdhk.de\/en\/events\/symposium-natura-2000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Online Seminar is part of a VdHK Symposium on Natura 2000 and nature protection in gypsum karst from 1.-4. June in Walkenried South Harz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ECPC will have a slot for a presentation on Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">26 May 2023 <\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">New commission members for the next 4 years <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following the FSE GAM in Breitscheid, Germany on May 20th, the team of the European Cave Protection Commission now starts its work for the next 4 years.<br>17 members from 12 countries form the new commission and their ambitions are enormous as the protection of caves and karst play more and more an important role in Europe and elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please find the composition of the commission at our website:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/commission-members\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/commission-members\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">12 May 2023 <\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Winner of the EuroSpeleo Protection Label 2023 <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The European Cave Protection Commission (ECPC) of the European Speleological Federation (FSE), is pleased to announce that following the evaluation of the applications received, the&nbsp;<strong>EuroSpeleo Protection Label 2023<\/strong>&nbsp;has been attributed to&nbsp;the&nbsp;<strong><em>Cork Speleological Group (CSG)&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>from Ireland&nbsp;<\/em>for their Project:<strong><em>&nbsp;Digging into the Past: Preserving Irelands Cultural Heritage through Cave Exploration<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The prize is endowed by \u20ac800.- and&nbsp;gear&nbsp;from the FSE sponsor&nbsp;&#8220;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.aventureverticale.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Aventure Verticale<\/a>&#8220;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">14 April 2023 <\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">EuroSpeleo Protection Label 2023 &#8211; Reminder<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is a reminder for the<strong> EuroSpeleo Protection Label<\/strong>. The deadline is in 2 weeeks on April 30th !<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please refer to the ESPL- Guidelines and Application Form published on the FSE site at:<br><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/espl\/\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/espl\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ECPC Team<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">8 February 2023 <\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Call for new ECPC commission members<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The team of the European Cave Protection Commission is inviting every caver with cave and karst protection and conservation ambitions, to join the commission to help pushing forward the cave and karst protection goals of the FSE in Europe. The new commission will start its work after the FSE GAM in May this year and the duration of the mandate is 4 years, from 2023-2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The call may be found here in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Board-Members_2023-2027_Call-out_02_en.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">English<\/a> and also in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Board-Members_2023-2027_Call-out_02_fr.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">French<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In case of further questions, we invite you to get in contact with the commission at the address: <a href=\"mailto:protection@eurospeleo.eu\">protection@eurospeleo.eu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ECPC Team<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">31 January 2023 <\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Donations invested in a Serbian project<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the year 2022 the European Cave Protection Commission has got some funds as donations.<br>At the end of the year we decided to double this amount from our regular ECPC budget and invest all in a cave clean-up project <strong>\u201cClean Underground &#8211; Serbia\u201d<\/strong>.<br>Here is the FB page of the project: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/cisto.podzemlje.srbija\/\">https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/cisto.podzemlje.srbija\/<\/a><br>A summary of the project may be found here: <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Clean-Underground_Serbia_for_ECPC.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Clean-Underground_Serbia<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With this information we would like to thank all donators from 2022 which trusted in our work and would like to encourage all interested donators to trust in our work as well and help us save the caves in Europe and abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ECPC team<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">31 January 2023<strong> <\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">European and International Cave politics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>European Environmental Bureau<\/strong>, EEB (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.eeb.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.eeb.org<\/a>), is Europe\u2019s largest network of environmental citizens&#8217; organisations. EEB brings together 180 member organisations from 38 countries and stands for sustainable development, environmental justice &amp; participatory democracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a full member of EEB since 2011, FSE as network organisation has the right to sent interested people as member into one or more working groups. (<a href=\"https:\/\/eeb.org\/membership\/our-working-groups\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/eeb.org\/membership\/our-working-groups\/<\/a>)<br>A working group gathers interested people from concerned member-organisations.<br>The WGs which are specially interesting for the caving environment are:<br><strong>Biodiversity, Water, Soil, International Environmental Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the tasks of the European Cave Protection Commission is to represent the FSE at the EEB and we would be glad if interested persons could join us with expertise and engagement in a working group of your interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please get in contact with the commission for further questions and interest. We would be glad to welcome and guide you in this major role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Information with descriptions of the working groups may be found here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/European-and-International-Cave-politics.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">European and International Cave politics<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thank you,<br>The ECPC team<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\"><strong>3<\/strong>0 January 2023<strong> <\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">UN 2023 Water Conference in New York<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>WATER<\/strong> is a fundamental part of all aspects of life. Water is inextricably linked to the three pillars of sustainable development, and it integrates social, cultural, economic and political values. It is crosscutting and supports the achievement of many SDGs through close linkages with climate, energy, cities, the environment, food security, poverty, gender equality and health, amongst others. With climate change profoundly affecting our economies, societies and environment, water is indeed the biggest deal breaker to achieve the internationally agreed water-related goals and targets, including those contained in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable<br>(Text source UN website: <a href=\"https:\/\/sdgs.un.org\/conferences\/water2023\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/sdgs.un.org\/conferences\/water2023<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The registration for the <strong>UN 2023 Water Conference in New York 22-24 March<\/strong> is still open until 10th February. Online participation is possible. Registration is possible trough <strong>our FSE member VdHK<\/strong> (German Speleological Federation) and you need a confirmation letter from them. (vorsitz@vdhk.de)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In case that your organisation is already ECOSOC accredited you may register yourself directly. (Each ECOSOC accredited NGO like VdHK can register up to 10 participants.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Link to the Forum &gt;&gt; <a href=\"https:\/\/sdgs.un.org\/conferences\/water2023\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/sdgs.un.org\/conferences\/water2023<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please share this information to interested speleologists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ECPC team<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">04 January 2023 <\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Protection of Caves and Karst &#8211; the best wishes from the ECPC<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The European Cave Protection Commission would like to wish you all the best for the year 2023, plenty of successful excursions without harm either to yourself, your team nor to the habitat&nbsp;including&nbsp;all its life forms. May you have great meetings, conferences and get togethers around this topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We also would like to express our wishes that all caves and karst will get more attention from the political world and that all people will respect this environment beside all other nature as an important heritage, care for this geotope and its biotope and treat it with respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Together with these wishes we also would like to take the opportunity to welcome all those who have registered to our newsletter in the last couple of month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If there is anything you would like to tell us, don\u2019t hesitate and get in contact with the commission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a recent addition to our website you will find the Report summaries of the past 5 ESPL (EuroSpeleo Protection Label) on the dedicated page by clicking on the project title. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/espl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/espl\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In case anyone would like to make a donation towards the ESPL, you will find our bank details at the donation\/links page. Don\u2019t be shy, invest NOW or later. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/link-page\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/link-page\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By the end of the year, all donations are given to cave or karst protection projects in Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ECPC team<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">14 November 2022 <\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">EuroSpeleo Protection Label 2023 &#8211; Call for Cave Protection Projects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is with great pleasure that the FSE announces the next call for Cave Protection projects to receive the Label \u201cEuroSpeleo Protection 2023\u201d from the ECPC (the European Cave Protection Commission of the FSE).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The EuroSpeleo Protection Label is a European Speleological award managed by the ECPC, financed by the FSE budget. The EuroSpeleo Protection Label will help to promote amongst the speleological clubs of Europe, Cave Protection activities that are designed in an integrated ecological way, taking into account EU environmental directives, the principles of administration of the Natura 2000 sites and the IUCN Guidelines on caves and karst protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With what kind of projects can you apply?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The EuroSpeleo Protection Label will be awarded every year to one unique Cave Protection project. A European speleological jury established by the ECPC Board will make the selection. Any project aiming at protecting caves developed by a club, a local committee or a national commission from a member country of the FSE can apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>What are the criteria to receive the FSE EuroSpeleo Protection Label and what is the prize?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no need for participation of cavers from different countries, but the application should be a quality project and the broadcasting of the project presentation and results should be made in a spirit that can be reproduced in other European regions and countries. The application should be sent to protection@eurospeleo.org before <strong>30th of April 2023<\/strong>, in English language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The project must receive the approval from its national speleological organization, i.e. a letter of support from its national organisation, member of the FSE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The reward for the label 2023 is <strong>800.- EUR<\/strong> plus one caving gear from our FSE-sponsor<br>Aventure Verticale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please refer to the ESPL- Guidelines and Application Form published on the FSE site at:<br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/espl\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/espl\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Best Speleo Wishes, The ECPC team<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">3 November 2022 <\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Seeking for contact with National Commissions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The European Cave Protection Commission would like to get in contact with all National commissions and working groups that work on the protection or conservation on caves and karst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The goal is to add the email addresses of these bodies to the cave protection information system so that we can share information directly with the concerned colleagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In case that you have a dedicated email address or someone in charge, please send a short email to &#8220;<a href=\"mailto:protection@eurospeleo.eu\">protection@eurospeleo.eu<\/a>&#8221; or fill out the form on our NEW internet site of the commission &#8220;www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thank you for your cooperation. The ECPC Team<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">29 September 2022 <\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">NEW Website for the ECPC &#8211; European Cave Protection Commission<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The European Cave Protection Commission is happy to announce that their new Homepage is now live and online.<br>After the renewing of the main FSE site www.eurospeleo.eu the ECPC commission opted for a subsite with all its content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some work still has to be done but the main topics are already online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can access the site here: www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In case that there is anything you would like to tell us, please use the email address protection@eurospeleo.eu or use the contact form on the site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We would be pleased if you could spread the message among your organisations and networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jean-Claude Thies; ECPC President<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background\" style=\"font-size:19px;font-style:normal;font-weight:500\">20 May 2022 <\/h1>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">ESPL2021 winner now also Natura 2000 Award winner<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two days ago I was invited to join the German Speleological Federation VdHK on its trip to Brussels for the Natura 2000 Award Ceremony from the EU Commission for Environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is with great pleasure to announce you that the EuroSpeleo Protection Label 2021 winner, the \u201cCaveLife App\u201d Project from the German Speleological Federation VdHK has now also won the Natura 2000 Award in its category Crossboarder cooperation.<br>This is a great achievment for the cave protection in Europe and in the name of the FSE and ECPC, I would like to congratulate the VdHK for this award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Getting such an award does not mean it\u2019s a final honor, no it must be seen as a motivation for further struggles to raise cave protection into public and political awareness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We used the opportunity of the Natura 2000 Award Ceremony to hand over a joint \u201copen letter\u201d from the VdHK together with the ECPC, to Mr. Virginijus Sinkevi\u010dius, European Commissioner for Environment,<br>Oceans and Fisheries, regarding the inclusion of geodiversity beside biodiversity in future protection measures.<br>We had as well a talk to Mrs. Florika Fink-Hooijer, Director General of DG Environment about the same topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jean-Claude Thies; ECPC President<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>13 October 2026 Workshop on Karst Underground Preservation Pazin, Croatia, November 14th\u00a02026 The European Cave Protection Commission is inviting to its wokshop held during the 18th EuroSpeleo Forum in Pazin on Saturday 14th of November 2026. On the schedule are &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/news\/\">Continued<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"kt_blocks_editor_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-32","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/32","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32"}],"version-history":[{"count":79,"href":"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/32\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":923,"href":"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/32\/revisions\/923"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eurospeleo.eu\/ECPC\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}