Our achievements in 2023

STRONG CIVIL SOCIETY

Both ENDS cooperates with many partner organisations around the world to strengthen civil society, advocate for green and fair policies and support transformative practices. This cooperation entails much more then only financial support; we strategise together and each take our own role in our joint efforts for just and sustainable societies. Our partner network embraces the whole world:

SYSTEMIC CHANGE

In order for systems to prioritise people and the planet, Both ENDS and partners aim to change the system step by step, policy by policy. Where policies are already strong, they need to be implemented, and where they are absent, we advocate for new ones to be enacted, on all levels. Influencing policies often is a matter of patience. It might take years until change finally materialises. This is why Both ENDS and partners are involved in such a large number of policy influencing processes:

STRONG CIVIL SOCIETY

• The Women in Action on Mining in Asia (WAMA) network grew out of a meeting in 2016 of GAGGA partners from Asia. WAMA includes both environmental justice organisations and women’s funds. Since its founding, WAMA’s annual skillshare – organised with support from Both ENDS – has become an important event, drawing women from mining-affected communities across the region.
  
• Both ENDS supported the second Women’s Climate Assembly (WCA), which took place in Lagos, Nigeria, from 24 to 28 September 2023, as part of the third African People’s Counter COP. Partners, WoMin African Alliance and Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, along with various other women’s movements, grassroots networks, and a few non-governmental organizations, organised this event. The Women’s Climate Assembly converged with community and women’s assemblies across the continent to build and advance a deeply Pan-African perspective on the climate crisis and African climate justice, collecting statements and questions which were subsequently shared during the official COP28 in early December in Dubai by Both ENDS and GAGGA partners.
• The Joke Waller Hunter Initiative creates opportunities for young environmental leaders in the Global South to fulfil their full potential. By providing small grants to individuals, the initiative, created and powered by Both ENDS, builds the next generation of environmental leaders. In 2023, we proudly presented 18 new grantees, improved our selection procedure via the active involvement of our grantee network, and launched a new website to highlight their work (with support of the Dutch National Postcode Lottery).
• Civil society is increasingly under pressure worldwide, and grassroots organisations are heavily impacted by shrinking of civic space. Many of our partners face threats and violence as a result of their environmental and human rights activities. The communities they support are also subjected to violence when acting to protect their livelihoods and territories. In 2023, Both ENDS, in collaboration with allies, worked on developing a ‘System of Care’, which involved exploring ways to further support partners to improve security measures, strengthen practices of care, and sustain their work. In Nigeria, Both ENDS collaborated with a Nigerian consultant with extensive expertise on the security and political situation in the Niger delta. He provided rapid responses to emerging threats for our partners in Nigeria, as well as strategic advice for our advocacy in the Niger Delta. Based on advice from this security consultant, Both ENDS was able to invest in key aspects of security for our partners such as stronger office security, safety protocols, home security and digital security.
• Similarly in Uganda, Both ENDS invested in context specific analyses for partners most at risk, resulting in concrete office, home and digital security measures. Furthermore, during an exchange visit of members of a Nigerian women’s group to Uganda, members of both organisations learned about different techniques applied to continue advocacy in a restricted civic space. During this visit, Both ENDS members visited the Dutch and EU embassy with partners in Kampala to discuss concerns about shrinking civic space, and to connect with possible contact persons in cases of threats.

SYSTEMIC CHANGE

• Although the pace continues to be too slow, there’s no doubt about it: an energy transition is now underway. Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that such a shift will translate to a more just and equitable energy system. In 2023, we teamed up with FARN to explore the case of lithium mining in Argentina and the role of Export Credit Agencies (ECAs).
  
• In January, a letter, undersigned by almost 60 organisations from countries facing the direct consequences of fossil fuel projects together with others standing in solidarity, was sent to the Dutch Members of Parliament to vote against any form of fossil export support. Both ENDS has worked to stop governmental support for export credits to fossil fuel projects for a long time. In 2022, the Dutch government committed to stopping public finance for fossil fuel projects but unfortunately, the policy has various ‘loopholes’ that make it possible for the Dutch government to keep supporting large fossil projects for at least another year. These projects often run for years and will have a negative impact on the countries where they take place for decades to come. With this joint letter we once again emphasised the negative impact of fossil fuel projects on people and ecosystems, and urged the Dutch government to stop fossil export support now.
• In April, we joined a coalition of Dutch organisations to present a joint agricultural manifesto; “The Dutch Agriculture Agreement offers prospects for sustainable farmers and consumers worldwide”. It urges the government’s agricultural policy to reduce the Netherlands’ enormous agrarian footprint beyond our borders, by taking food security and the preservation of biodiversity as its starting points. Within a few weeks, the manifesto had been signed by over 70 civil society organisations, agricultural organisations and companies, environmental organisations, and scientists from around the world. The manifesto itself and the topics were central in a parliamentary debate and a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality in The Hague.
• Both ENDS successfully contributed to amplifying and understanding the crucial link between gender equality, trade, and investments, as part of Dutch ambition to embrace a Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP). We organised a panel on trade and gender equality – in collaboration with ActionAid, SOMO, Milieudefensie and partners – as part of the FFP conference organised by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Key feminist trade partners of Both ENDS from the Global South were able to take centre stage. A joint publication on the topic, ‘Reimagining Trade and Investment through a Feminist Lens’ was discussed with relevant policymakers. We call for respect for women’s and human rights, and increase gender equality in Dutch foreign policy, including Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ+) rights. The proposals are offered in the spirit of constructive collaboration as Dutch policy-makers create the building blocks for a forward-looking FFP on trade, investment, and tax for the Netherlands – a policy that prioritises women’s human rights, care, and the planet above profit.