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Russia


Russia is the largest country on earth. Most of the country is covered in coniferous forests, steppe and ice. There are only 8.3 inhabitants per square kilometre despite a population of 142 million.

Although it is nominally a democracy with supposedly independent jurisdictions and executive powers the regime has become increasingly authoritarian; press freedom is restricted or under state control and public participation is limited. Foreign NGOs are experiencing political and bureaucratic obstacles in their work.

Russia has large environmental issues to tackle; radioactive and chemical waste – these are the main issues -  soil and land degradation, depletion of natural resources and severe water pollution. Large parts of the Russian population, especially in smaller cities and rural areas suffer from poor health.

Energy consumption for heating during the long winters is high and at the same time inefficient. This leads to air pollution in the towns and cities and increases C02 emissions. Poor water quality in most areas of Russia causes widespread health problems.

WECF and its local partner organisations are trying to improve the living conditions of the people through innovative measures to improve the environmental health and increase the public participation.


Related Projects

Uganda: Promotion of Healthy and Economical Agriculture and Livestock Farming
With simple methods and means, agricultural cultivation methods and local livestock farming are improved and made more profitable. This project is co-financed with an existing project in Uganda: 'Better living conditions, less rural migration',.
21.06.2018

Co-funding project for WOMEN2030: Geschlechtergerechte Umsetzung der Agenda 2030
This project aims at supporting the activities under the WOMEN2030 programme.
08.02.2018

Water and Sanitation Safety Planning in rural Romania, Albania and Macedonia
The aim of this project is to raise awareness about environmental protection and risk based management of water supply and sanitation systems, and to take action particularly in the area of water quality and sanitation in rural communities
10.01.2018

Uganda: Better Lives- Less Rural Migration
The aim of this project is to improve the living conditions of the rural, young population through a more sustainable agriculture, based on organic and conservation agriculture methods.
27.10.2017

EDCs in Germany: WECF is networking for more protection
WECF encourages media, scientists, local communities and national authorities and local communities to take action for more protection from endocrine disrupting chemicals
25.07.2017

Make Europe Sustainable for All
"Europe in the World - Engaging in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda"
16.07.2017

#Save the bees! Help ban the neonics
WECF and European Save the Bee Coalition call for a comprehensive ban on neonicotinoids
10.07.2017

Water solidarity between Kyrgyzstan and France continues successfully
Safe water and sustainable sanitation for the village An-Oston, Issyk Kul, Kyrgyzstan
09.01.2017

Water and Sanitation Safety Planning in rural Romania and Macedonia
The aim of this project is to raise awareness about environmental protection and to take action particularly in the area of water quality and sanitation in rural communities.
27.10.2016

Crowdfunding Project: Biogas Toilets for deprived families in Uganda
Via a crowdfunding campaign WECF collected more than 4.600 Euro to fight the sanitary grievances in rural Uganda. Thanks to over 50 donations WECF builds in cooperation with our local partner organization ARUWE 17 Biogas Toilets in Mulagi Sub-County.
01.07.2016

Changing German policy on EDCs
Achieving good EDCs criteria and strategy at the EU level, which guarantees a high level of protection for human health and the environment.
29.06.2016

International Chemical Management - The Position of German and International NGOs towards SAICM Post-2020 and Sustainable Chemistry
A project of WECF Germany to inform national and international NGOs about SAICM Post-2020 and Sustainable Chemistry and to bring an united NGO position into debate
01.06.2016 | WECF Project

Bridging the knowledge gap - Demo farm in Uganda
In cooperation with our local partner organization ARUWE, WECF builds in Uganda a demonstration farm in order to improve the education of local farmers, present sustainable technologies and increase the people's lifequality
03.05.2016 | WECF Project

Promotion of green technologies in Uganda
In cooperation with our local partner organization ARUWE, WECF implements a project in Mulagi Sub-county (Uganda) to promote sustainable technologies for renewable energy
03.05.2016 | WECF Project

Civil society Local Energy Efficiency Network (CLEEN)
The CLEEN project aims to build a partnership of civil society organizations in Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine
19.04.2016 | WECF Project

Reducing chemicals and contamination of drinking water sources in rural communities in Bosnia-Herzegovina, FYR Macedonia and Albania
How Ecosan toilets, greywater filters and composting can help reducing the use of chemical fertilisers and protecting water sources in rural areas of South Eastern Europe
15.04.2016 | WECF Project

Capacity Building and Strategic Partnerships for Chemicals Safety in the Republic of Serbia
Building capacity and strengthening cooperation between government agencies, NGOs, and other civil society sectors, to strengthen legislation, enforcement and partnerships for chemical safety, in particular harmful chemicals in products
10.04.2016 | WECF Project

Improving education, sanitation and food security in Busi parents' primary school
By providing hygienic toilets with privacy and hand wash facilities, WECF improves in cooperation with local partner ARUWE education and sanitation conditions in Busi parent's primary school (Uganda)
08.04.2016 | WECF Project

Women2030
The objective of the new five-year project is the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) until 2030 with a focus on Gender Equality (SDG 5) and Mitigating Climate Change (SDG 13)
04.04.2016 | WECF Project

Managing Wastewater through Global Partnership
Reducing the pollution of the Black Sea by introducing sustainable wastewater and nutrient management in rural Georgian communities
04.04.2016 | WECF Project

EDCs in Germany: Running the discussion on EDCs
Promote the political discussion on EDCs on German policy level for achieving decent EDC criteria and strategy on EU level, which guarantee a high level of protection for human health and the environment
02.02.2016

Safe drinking water and sustainable energy for rural Uganda
Improving living conditions in rural Uganda through sustainable technologies for renewable energy, agriculture and water
08.06.2015

Rotterdam Convention and Asbestos
Overcoming the blocking attitude of opposing countries with the objective of a functioning international chemical policy and a better protection of the environment and health in countries which use or produce asbestos
28.04.2015

Water Solidarity France- Kyrgystan
Women as drivers of change
20.04.2015 | WECF Project

Communicating on Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs)
Developing ideas for companies in improving information and communication within the chain and towards consumers of baby and children’s products, on the topic of SVHCs with a focus on risks for vulnerable groups (i.e. children and pregnant women).
21.01.2015 | WECF Project

A call for help from the Kayenje School
Building ecosan toilets at Kayenje Primary School in Uganda
16.12.2014 | WICF Project

Women's Major Group wants to achieve gender equitable in Post2015 agreement
WECF contributes by increasing outreach activities on the need for strong gender instruments to implement the Post 2015 agenda
14.11.2014 | WICF Project

Civil society organizations cooperate with government and other stakeholders on a gender-sensitive NAMA for sustainable energy in rural areas
Preparations for a National Appropriate Mitigation Action (Nama) in Georgia
28.07.2014 | WECF Project

Reduce exposure to EDCs and advocating for better legislation
Protect children and pregnant women against exposure to EDCs by engaging the health sector and informing policy makers and activate German civil society to enhance EDC policy
17.05.2014 | WECF Project

EWA Afghanistan: Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world
WECF supports the EWA partner in Afghanistan in reducing poverty
01.04.2014 | WICF Project

EWATajikistan: the constant empowerment of women is important
"Empower Women - Benefit (for) All (EWA)"
01.04.2014 | WICF Project

EWA Uganda: Focus on low income small-holder farms
"Empower Women - Benefit (for) All (EWA)": Focus on low income small-holder farms
01.04.2014 | WICF Project

EWA Georgia: "Ecological agriculture as an alternative option for women from rural areas
"Empower Women - Benefit (for) All (EWA)"
01.04.2014 | WICF Project

Armenia: Women for a healthy rural development
Armenian Women actors of change for chemical free rural development
01.04.2014

ChildProtect-Life – Protecting Children's Health from Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
The ‘ChildProtect-Life’ project coordinated by WECF aims to speed-up implementation of EU environmental regulations with regard to the substitution of EDCs, in line with the EU 2020 goal of minimising adverse effects of chemicals on public health.
18.02.2014 | WECF Project

Romania and Macedonia (FYROM): Water and Sanitation Safety Plans
Water and Sanitation Safety Plans for environmental education in schools in rural areas
01.02.2014 | WECF Project

FLOW +: International Women's Empowerment
The coming 2 years are crucial for future development cooperation. In the intergovernmental process on “Sustainable Development Goals”, the UN “Open Working Group” is preparing a framework for universal goals to follow the Millennium Development Goals
20.11.2013 | WICF Project

Women’s priorities for the Post 2015/SDG agenda
Women Major Group regional capacity building and participation in UN post2015 SDG meeting
11.11.2013 | WICF Project

EWA South Africa - Community Gardens
"We are not just growing food but growing people. We are not only giving people a plate of food, but more valuable than this; we are empowering people to help themselves."
01.04.2013 | WICF Project

Tracing Nano
Currently many products at the market incorporate nanomaterials for which a proper risk assessment could not be made. Contrary to the REACH principle no data no market the presence of nanomaterials in its content is generally not reported either
10.09.2012 | WECF Project

Reduce exposure to EDCs
Advocate at EU level for better EU legislation to protect women and the developing child from hormone disrupting (endocrine disrupting) chemicals (EDCs) such as phtalates, bisphenol A and pesticides.
16.07.2012

Avoid Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) – German Advocacy Campaign
Protect children, inform pregnant women and expecting parents
16.07.2012

On the Road to Rio+20: Preparations for Rio+20 in French and Arab speaking Africa
Six Women's organisations in French and Arab speaking Africa organised awareness raising workshops and consultations on their specific needs and views for the Rio+20 Sustainable Development Summit and translated Women's major group position papers into Arabic and French.nised pre-meetings on how to prepare for the Rio+20 Conference in June
14.04.2012 | WICF Project

EWA: Women Empowerment
The overall goal of the WECF EWA programme is to contribute to economic and political empowerment of women from low-income rural and peri-urban regions in six developing countries (Afghanistan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, South Africa, Tajikistan, Uganda)
19.03.2012 | WICF Project

Humanitarian Roofing project in Prislop, Romania
Thanks to gifts from private donors in many countries 42 families received sheets for making their roofs water-proof
14.12.2011 | Margriet Samwel

Baltic Info Campaign on Hazardous Substances
Many products used in every day life, like toys, cosmetics, plastic products, etc. contain hazardous chemicals. In the Baltic States people are often not aware of this and sufficient regulation is not in place. The overall goal of the project is to initiate a stronger demand at the society in the three Baltic States for products free of hazardous substances via awareness raising activities.
22.09.2011 | WECF Project

Bulgaria: Water safety plans
Environmental education for teachers as multipliers for children and young people at the example of rural communities in Bulgaria
22.09.2011

Women's Rio+20 Good Practice Award
During the Rio+20 Summit on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, women’s contribution to sustainable development was highlighted by the Women's Rio+20 Good Practice Award
25.06.2011 | WICF Project

Asbestos in Kyrgyzstan
Increasing awareness on asbestos in Kyrgyzstan to strenghten and support Civil Society
07.04.2011 | WICF Project

Building local capacity for domestic solar heating, hot water and insulation for rural and remote areas in the EEC region
The action will contribute to improved health, reduced poverty and increased energy security in 22 rural communities in 7 EEC countries, through demonstrating domestic solar heating, hot water and insulation measures
25.03.2011

Safe water and sanitation for all in Moldova
Mobilizing citizens and authorities from Moldova to respect and realize the right to access to safe water and sanitation for all
02.03.2011

Kyrgyzstan: Home Comforts - Creating local capacity for improved rural living standards via sustainable energy and sanitation
Reduce poverty via sustainable development, specifically through improved access to basic resources such as energy and safe sanitation
15.02.2011 | WECF Project

Product and Chemical Safety in the Balkans
"Civil society cooperation on EU acquis and on values for consumer and corporate responsibility"
15.02.2011 | WECF Project

Protocol on Water and Health and Public Participation
Workshop for the Effective Use of the Potential of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Authorities in the Countries of the Former Soviet Union and EU in the Field of Environment and Water
01.12.2010 | WECF Project

Support of climate protection via sustainable energy by training and capacity building of local partner NGOs in Caucasus and Central Asia and networking between them
„Förderung des Klimaschutzes durch nachhaltige Energie mittels Training, Kapazitätsausbau und Vernetzung lokaler NRO-Partner im Kaukasus und in Zentralasien“
04.11.2010

Georgia: Create local capacity for sustainable development
New EU financed project started in Georgia
02.11.2010

Create local capacity for sustainable development
The project is a continuation and scaling up of Empowerment and Local Action program
22.09.2010

Reducing the use of hazardous chemicals in developing countries
potential of implementing safer chemicals including non-chemical alternatives - tools for Georgia and the EECCA region
27.07.2010 | WECF Project

Natracare Safe School Sanitation Project
Natracare supports safe sanitation for girls in Central Asia - Natracare, a UK-based manufacture of organic and natural solutions for personal health care has become a sponsor of WECF projects on improving sanitation in schools in the rural areas of Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia
18.06.2010

Nano in the babyroom
Deploying awareness raising activities among consumers and retailers concerning nanotechnology
17.06.2010

"Well of knowledge" Educational and Informational Water Center
Ukrainian-German-Polish project started in January 2010
02.06.2010

Remote Communities in Azerbaijan
Community Approaches to a Better Environment for All and Poverty Reduction in Out of Reach Communities
26.05.2010

Local Climate Change Action - Germany
Moving climate protection closer to the people
28.04.2010

EU - Fact Sheet Common Agricultural Policy
Information on organic farming, conventional agriculture and policies in the EU.
28.04.2010

Eco-Efficiency and Sustainable Development
Women promoting the environmental pillar of the Lisbon Strategy and the EU SDS
28.04.2010

Tapping Our Ressources - Sustainable Development and Poverty Elimination
Safe Drinking Water, Safe Sanitation, Safe Food
27.04.2010

Samen voor een Gezond Leefmilieu
‘Together for a healthy environment - advocacy for enhancing substances policy and reduce health risks’
27.04.2010

Ukraine - Safe Sanitation, Health and Dignity
Implementation of dry urine diverting toilets and and waste water soil filters for schools and private households
27.04.2010

WECF Germany: “Umweltgerechtigkeit von Geburt an" (Environmental justice right from the beginning)
A consultative program for deprived families and migrant families in the vicinity of Berlin and Munich
27.04.2010

Commission for Sustainable Development
WECF facilitates the participation of its members at UN conferences. WECF members present their experiences and recommendations to policy makers during the UN CSD every year
27.04.2010

ToNi-Finder
WECF's map for sustainable school Toilets and establishing Nitrate levels in ground, surface and drinking water
19.04.2010

Romania - Safe Sanitation, Health and Dignity
Implementation of dry urine diverting toilets and and waste water soil filters for schools and private households
19.04.2010

Kyrgyzstan - Decentralised and Sustainable Wastewater Management
Consulting and supporting NGOs in Kyrgyzstan to develop ecolocial sanitation and wastewater management in rural areas
19.04.2010 | WECF Project

Gender Equality
Putting Gender Equality Central; a project to promote a gender and human rights perspective in WECF's activities
19.04.2010

Empowerment & Local Action (ELA) Uzbekistan
Building the capacity of poor local communities in rural areas in Uzbekistan
19.04.2010

Empowerment & Local Action (ELA) Georgia
Building the capacity of poor local communities in rural areas in Georgia
19.04.2010

Empowerment & Local Action (ELA) Kazakhstan
Building the capacity of poor local communities in rural areas in Kazakhstan
19.04.2010

Empowerment & Local Action (ELA)
Building the capacity of poor local communities in rural areas
19.04.2010

Democratization of the governance of the Dniester river basin
Local authorities, NGOs and citizen's communities work together in trans-boundary cooperation between Moldova, Transdniestria and Ukraine towards sustainable management of Dniester River Basin
19.04.2010

Bulgaria - Safe Sanitation, Health and Dignity
Implementation of dry urine diverting toilets and and waste water soil filters for schools and private households
19.04.2010

Bulgaria / Greece – WECF Project Healthy Schools
School children are given the opportunity to learn about their environment and possible ways to improve and protect it by developing their own ideas.
19.04.2010 | WECF Project

Belarus - Citizens involvement
Developing multi-stakeholder cooperation in the areas of water, waste and energy efficiency in Belarus
19.04.2010 | WECF Project

Abestos and POPs in Kazakhstan
Civil society and sound hazardous waste management, asbestos and POPs, in Kazakhstan
15.04.2010 | WECF Project

Safe Sanitation, Health and Dignity
Implementation of dry urine diverting toilets and and waste water soil filters for schools and private households
13.04.2010

Empowerment & Local Action (ELA) Afghanistan
Building the capacity of poor local communities in rural areas in Afghanistan.
13.04.2010

Empowerment & Local Action (ELA) Armenia
Building the capacity of poor local communities in rural areas in Armenia.
13.04.2010

Empowerment & Local Action (ELA) Azerbaijan
Building the capacity of poor local communities in rural areas in Azerbaijan
13.04.2010

Empowerment & Local Action (ELA) Kyrgyzstan
Building the capacity of poor local communities in rural areas in Kyrgyzstan
13.04.2010

Empowerment & Local Action (ELA) Moldova
Building the capacity of poor local communities in rural areas in Moldova
13.04.2010

Empowerment & Local Action (ELA) Tajikistan
Building the capacity of poor local communities in rural areas in Tajikistan
13.04.2010

Empowerment & Local Action (ELA) Ukraine
Building the capacity of poor local communities in rural areas in the Ukraine
13.04.2010

Eliminating toxic chemicals globally
Working to ensure that by 2020 all consumer products are free of hazardous chemicals
13.04.2010

International Year of Sanitation
Safe and affordable sustainable sanitation at the top of the European political agenda during the International Year of Sanitation 2008
13.04.2010

Poland: Between the Rivers Bug and Narew
WECF and SIE are developing local partnerships in order to manage and cultivate 15 rural Masovian communities along the river Bug sustainable.
13.04.2010 | WECF Project

Constructed Wetland in Bulgaria
Constructed Wetland Implementation for On-site Treatment of Domestic Wastewater of a Children´s Home combined with Capacity Building for Professionals
15.12.2009

Preparation for Copenhagen – climate protection and renewable energy as a chance for economy, politics and civil society in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia through technology and knowledge transfer
Wegbereitung für Kopenhagen – Klimaschutz und Erneuerbare Energien als Chance für Wirtschaft, Politik und Zivilgesellschaft in Osteuropa, Kaukasus und Zentralasien durch Technologie und Wissenstransfer
20.09.2009

Towards a sustainable rural Overijssel
Naar een Duurzaam Platteland
23.04.2008

Ukraine - Co-operation for Sustainable Rural Development
Involving citizens and local authorities in rural Ukraine in improvement of drinking water, sanitation and agriculture
12.05.2006 | Anne Barre

Aarhus Convention
Information, public participation and access to justice - useful tools for WECF and its members
13.12.2005

Support Programme for the Roma Village Prislop
Supporting the Roma community in their basic needs: health, sanitation, infrastructure and schooling
11.05.2005

Romania - Rural Development for All
Ecological sanitation and waste-(water) management in rural areas of Romania
06.05.2005

Armenia Tapping Resources
Poverty elimination, organic farming and improvement of water supply and sanitation in rural areas of Armenia
29.03.2005

Bulgaria - Water, Waste and Sanitation in Rural Areas
Developing a model for sustainable water and waste management for rural areas
13.09.2004 | WECF Project

Afghanistan - Tapping Resources
WECF and Katachel Afghanistan working on improved sanitation for the Kunduz region
13.09.2004

Ukraine - Ecological Sanitation Solutions
Dry urine-diverting toilets for schools and households
05.06.2004

Chemikalien im Alltag
Politik, Industrie und Verbraucherinnen können gemeinsam das Risiko durch gesundheitsschädliche Chemikalien in Alltagsprodukten für Frauen, Männer und Kinder verringern.
29.05.2004

EWA Kyrgyzstan: Strengthening Gender Potential of EWA Project Partners
"Empower Women - Benefit (for) All (EWA)"
01.04.2004 | WICF Project

Our Toxic Free Future
Working towards a Toxic Free Future - getting ready for action
26.02.2004

Ukraine - Safe Drinking Water
Improving the drinking water conditions through public awareness and participation.
26.02.2004

Armenia - Healthy Food for Pregnant Women
Improving the health of newborn babies and pregnant women in Armenia; Growing organic Amaranth for the maternity clinic of Yerevan
09.02.2004 | WECF Project

Romania - Safe Drinking Water
Developing a participatory democracy, creating a network of local environmental NGOs and implementing effective and reproducible small-scale projects for safe drinking water solutions.
01.01.2004