Association of Agrarian and Environmental Lawyers (AAEL)
The AAEL was registered on May 15, 2018, at the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic as a civic, non-profit association under Act No. 83/1990 Coll., as amended. It brings together both individuals and legal entities.
The Association's mission is to:
- Develop knowledge in the field of agrarian and environmental law
- Promote the exchange of experiences, expertise, and information among lawyers active in these areas
- Organize meetings for association members
- Hold seminars, conferences, and workshops dedicated to specific areas of agrarian and environmental law
- Carry out educational and scientific activities in the field of agrarian and environmental law
- Prepare and implement project activities within the scope of agrarian and environmental law
- Support scientific work by students interested in agrarian and environmental law
On October 13, 2018, the AAEP was accepted as a full member of the European Council for Rural Law (CEDR, from the French "Comité Européen de Droit Rural"), a unique pan-European organization founded in 1957 that brings together lawyers and experts in the field of agrarian law. The CEDR serves an important advisory function in relation to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at the UN and acts as an observer at the Council of Europe, regularly providing guidance and support to EU institutions.
The AAEP's membership in the CEDR highlights its position among leading national associations in the EU, as well as among lawyers and experts outside the EU who deal with legal issues in agriculture and rural areas. The AAEP is actively involved in European projects and has successfully participated in projects under the Erasmus+ program (including Jean Monnet, Strategic Partnerships, and CERV), focusing on environmental and agrarian legislation.
COPE was established in 1983 and was recognized as a non-governmental organization by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1987. It is dedicated to international volunteer service, development cooperation, European projects, and active civic engagement. With over 40 years of experience, COPE has been bringing about social change in Italy as well as in developing countries.
Main areas:
- Community empowerment: Implementing cooperative programs that support capacity building and community development.
- Professional and educational training: Providing literacy, vocational training, and opportunities for international work experience.
- Environmental and social awareness: Promoting environmental issues, ecologically sustainable tourism in Sicily, and global education aimed at active civic engagement.
COPE is actively involved in various European projects addressing key contemporary challenges, including:
- IMPRONTE Project (2023–present): Advancing ecological transformation through innovative educational and gamification strategies.
- E+ KA2 RE-CONNECT (2021–2023): Strengthening digital and ecological skills to enhance tourism.
- IPA – Together for the Environment (2020–2022): Offering teacher training, creative workshops, and alternative school-to-work pathways.
- In marcia con il clima (2019–2020): Promoting climate change education through events and marches.
- EuropeAid (2007): Pioneering sustainable development with the "Turn off waste… Turn on development!" initiative.
These initiatives demonstrate COPE's commitment to leveraging EU funding for projects that foster social, environmental, and educational progress.
COPE's work benefits diverse groups, including teachers, students, and public-sector officials in Italy, as well as vulnerable groups—migrants, refugees, and communities at risk of exclusion—in countries such as Tunisia, Tanzania, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Peru, and Morocco.