It is with great pleasure that the FSE announces this year’s call for cave and karst protection projects to receive the “EuroSpeleo Protection Label” (ESPL) from the European Cave Protection Commission of the FSE (ECPC). Since its origin in 1990, the FSE has been trying to promote cave and karst protection in Europe and introduced the ESPL in 2007. Many projects have been awarded since that time.
The “EuroSpeleo Protection Label” is a European speleological award managed by the ECPC and financed by the FSE. The EuroSpeleo Protection Label will help to promote amongst the speleological clubs of Europe, cave and karst protection activities that are designed in an integrated ecological way, taking into account besides FSE Charta and rules also EU environmental directives, the principles of administration of the Natura 2000 sites and the IUCN Guidelines on caves and karst protection.
With what kind of project can you apply?
The EuroSpeleo Protection Label will be awarded every year to one unique cave and/or karst protection/conservation project. A European speleological jury established by the ECPC Board will make the selection. Any project aiming at protecting caves and/or karst developed by a club, a local or a national commission from a member country of the FSE can apply.
What are the criteria to receive the FSE EuroSpeleo Protection Label?
There is no need for participation of cavers from different countries, but the application should be a quality project, and the broadcasting of the project presentation and results should be made in a spirit that can be reproduced in other European regions and countries. The application must be sent to protection@eurospeleo.eu before the 30th of April 2025 in English language.
What prize can be awarded for the Label?
For the label 2025 there will be 800.- Euro as financial assistance for the winning project plus, a lamp set from Scurion. (https://www.scurion.ch ) The winner receives a certificate indicating the project that has won the award.
For all information, the guidelines and application form for the EuroSpeleo Protection Label 2025 see: https://www.eurospeleo.eu/ECPC/espl/