Fern is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) and a Dutch Stichting created in 1995 to keep track of the European Union’s involvement in forests and coordinate NGO activities at the European level. Their work centres on forests and forest peoples’ rights and the issues that affect them such as trade and investment and climate change. All of their work is done in close collaboration with social and environmental organisations and movements across the world. The name Fern was chosen because ferns are one of the few species that grow in all forests.
Fern has no director and strives to make decisions by consensus. This drives their way of working which is to open rather than occupy space for dialogue on the issues that affect forests and the environment.
Fern has staffed offices in Brussels, Belgium, Moreton-in-Marsh, UK and an administrative office in Delft, the Netherlands.
In striving to achieve its mission, Fern aims to be:
Collaborative: They are part of a global movement working for human rights and environmental justice. The individuals and organisations with whom they collaborate are partners and their relationship with them is mutually beneficial.
Evidence-based: Their positions and campaigns are based on active research.
Independent: Fern has a diverse funding base, meaning that their workplans are not tied to individual funders’ philosophies or public perceptions.
Challenging: Fern persistently questions established thinking about what can and can’t be achieved and responds positively with pro-active ways forward.
Inclusive: Both internally and externally they strive for transparent, consultative decision-making.
