A word from our Executive Director and Chair of the Supervisory Board
Civil society organisations are the eyes, the ears and the conscience of societies. They are the foundation of a healthy democracy. They address the needs of their communities. They develop and propose innovative solutions. They speak out against societal problems, and hold governments and companies to account. And everywhere around the world, from the Philippines to Nicaragua, from the United States to the Netherlands, civil society – as such – is under pressure.
Both ENDS and partner organisations worldwide faced an extremely challenging context in 2024. Authoritarianism is on the rise. Governments are reneging on their commitments to multilateralism. Here in the Netherlands, under the short-sighted claim of pursuing ‘our own interest’, the Dutch government announced massive cuts in funding for international cooperation, abandoning its long-term role as a world champion of civil society as the cornerstone of democracy and rule of law. More than ever before, in 2024 we found ourselves fighting to preserve hard-won progress on urgent issues like action on climate change, deforestation, corporate accountability and gender equality.
- Karin van Boxtel, Executive Director
- Leida Rijnhout, Chair of the Board
2024 at a glance
To achieve our vision of a sustainable, fair and inclusive world, Both ENDS works to empower civil society, to change the system so it prioritises people and the planet, and to support transformative practices. This annual report features some of our best stories from 2024, which together show the broad variety of our achievements along each one of the three pathways.
Collective action to combat land degradation, desertification and drought
Both ENDS is committed to supporting civil society organisations to influence decision-making and advance environmental justice, including by building strong networks. Since 2007, we have joined forces with partners from all over the world as part of the Drynet network. Drynet insists that to effectively counter land degradation, local organisations and communities living in drylands must be at the heart of the solution. By directly linking local groups with policy makers and engaging them in broader debates, Drynet aims to ensure that their voices are heard in important decision-making processes.
Drynet has proven its worth as an organising force in the processes of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), among other forums. In 2024, Both ENDS was pleased to join other Drynet members at the UNCCD COP16.
Toward a global trade and investment system centred on people and planet
Both ENDS collaborates with partners worldwide to tackle the root causes of inequality and environmental degradation, many of which are embedded in the current global trade and investment system. Bilateral investment treaties (BIT) and other international investment agreements, such as the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), often give corporations the right to sue governments for policies that may affect their (potential) profitmaking through Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS).
Both ENDS has joined hands with civil society organisations in many countries to help increase knowledge and awareness about the harm of ISDS in investment agreements. We exchanged information and technical knowledge and engaged in joint strategizing. Thanks to decades’ of work on the topic, more and more countries have reconsidered such treaties and the ISDS system. In 2024, the most recent termination of a BIT with the Netherlands was done by Kenya.
Regreening the Sahel through FMNR - more than just a land use practice
When you look at a patch of dry and dusty ground in the hot, semi-arid Sahel, it may be hard to imagine that a rich ecosystem is hidden beneath your feet. Fortunately, in hundreds of communities in Niger, Burkina Faso and Senegal, more and more people are well aware that the roots of a greener future lie under the earth.
Since 2018, Both ENDS has cooperated with partners – including Centre Régional d’Enseignement Spécialisé en Agriculture (CRESA, Niger), Secrétariat Permanent des ONG (SPONG, Burking Faso), and Innovation, Environnement, Développement Afrique (IED Afrique, Senegal) – to support local communities in regreening the Sahel. Thanks to the programme, more than 65,000 farmers are now practicing Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) to facilitate regrowth of trees and shrubs.
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