Welcome to the Varda Group

The Varda Group offers strategic advice and campaigning expertise across a wide range of environmental and social issues. Consultancy services are provided by Varda BV (The Netherlands), Varda Desarrollo Sostenible SL (Spain), Varda (UK) Ltd, and Varda, Inc. (US). In addition, Stichting Varda, a not-for-profit non-governmental organisation, carries out independent advocacy initiatives. The Varda Group was established in 2003 by Kelly Rigg and Rémi Parmentier.

Our mission is to provide strategic services and support, with the aim of creating maximum change for the benefit of people and the planet through:

• Developing and/or implementing projects which lead toward the improvement of the environment, public health, and social welfare;

• Capacity building and sharing of expertise with non-governmental organisations;

• Providing strategic input, analysis and advice to non-governmental organisations, governments, business and/or intergovernmental organisations for the purposes of accelerating positive change.

Current projects

April 2012

• “Role and Impact of International NGOs in Global Ocean Governance”, a chapter in Ocean Yearbook 26 (2012)

• Participation, on behalf of the GCCA, the Pew Environment Group and NRDC, in the Rio+20 informal consultations at UN HQ, NY, including organization and facilitation of the side-event “From Harmful Subsidies to Safe Subsidies”

• Participation in planning workshops for the establishment of the Global Ocean Commission headquartered at Somerville College, Oxford, UK

• Strategic consultations on behalf of the Pew Bluefin Tuna Conservation Project

• Strategic advice, workshop facilitation and logistical support to the Lonxanet Foundation for sustainable fishing

• Participation in Earth Day rally in Washington DC

March 2012

• Participation on behalf of NRDC and the Pew Environment Group in the Rio+20 Informal negotiations in New York

• Strategic development for the Global Campaign for Climate Action (GCCA/Tcktcktck)

• Facilitation of a strategic workshop for staff and Board members of the Lonxanet Foundation for Sustainable Artisanal Fishing, La Coruña (Spain)

• Presentation at a meeting of the Cigarette Butt Pollution Project, Sacramento, US

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