Our Hungarian member Magyarorszagi Reformatus Egyhaz has been recently awarded for its commitment to encourage biodiversity protection. The 2018 Roman Juriga Award recognised, in particular, the project’s innovative approach based on ecumenical cooperation.

Our member Magyarorszagi Reformatus Egyhaz project – titled “Plant Native Fruit Trees in Church Gardens” – is an ecumenical project co-funded by the Hungarian government and run by different Christian denominations Hungary. The aim of the project is to promote native trees planting on church properties. These actions are expected to increase biodiversity, protect national heritage and create a plantation producing oxygen and preserving natural genes.

Besides our member Magyarorszagi Reformatus Egyhaz, the project consortium consists of twelve ecumenical bodies throughout Hungary and it is supported by the Center for Plant Diversity, a Hungarian governmental experts institute. In 2017, the project reported 259 applications, 165 established gardens, and 6002 planted saplings. Currently, over 80 churches are carrying out the project.

The Roman Juriga Award ceremony took place early this month at the general assembly of the European Christian Environmental Network (ECEN) in Katowice (Poland). The Award was established by ECEN in 2011, in order to encourage inspirational innovations of churches on environmental projects across Europe.

To know more about our the award, please read our member’s news.

© European Christian Environmental Network