Becoming Member

Since 2017 "Pro Silva" offers two different member categories. in 2026 these categories were more precisely defined

Full members:

Full members (national branches) fulfil the following criteria:

• Has been established and acts as an independent non-governmental organisation in their country with a valid constitution (or equivalent official document).
• Represent a national network that includes natural or legal persons from practical forest management of private and/or public forests, forestry science, forest administration and other relevant forest related activities and initiatives.
• The main aim and activity of the member organisation is promotion of for close-to-nature forestry/continuous cover forestry and exchange or experience in its application. The constitution includes the Pro Silva principles for close-to-nature forestry/continuous cover forestry or has a direct reference to those principles.
• Organizes excursions, seminars or workshops for sharing best practices on close-to-nature forestry/continuous cover forestry according to with Pro Silva principles.
• Develops exemplary forests to practically showcase the application of close-to-nature forestry/continuous cover forestry on operational level. Involvement of practical foresters as members is therefore necessary.
• Represents Pro Silva in their country, and acts as a coherent and unique national contact point towards Pro Silva (Europe) – usually one organisation per country
• Pro Silva (Europe) needs to communicate with one national Pro Silva organisation, which represents all its members equally. Pro Silva work is based on cooperative spirit and inclusiveness. Therefore, the proper communication with all interested in the country should be done before joining Pro Silva.
• The governance and operation of the member organisation shall be based on democratic principles (i.e. all the members have a chance to collectively steer the organisation and elect the governing bodies on some regular basis – e.g. every four years or so). If there are any subgroups (e.g. on regional basis), they should be all able to shape the direction of the organisation through the governing body.

Full member’s rights:

• Full member is allowed to bear and use the name “Pro Silva” and the Pro Silva logo (with the name PRO SILVA + name of the country) or international logo PRO SILVA SINCE 1989.
• Has the right to attend the general assembly meetings and submit proposals for the development of organisation and their activities.
• Has one vote at the annual general-assembly meeting in order to collectively steer the activities and development of organisation, and to elect the governing body.
• Full members are included in internal communication channel of Pro Silva, which means they are informed about all internal major steps, activities and developments and, on the other hand, they have the duty to communicate actively with Pro Silva and send news contribution of activities or achievements on the national level.

Fee: full members pay annually the full member’s fee.

Associated members:

Individual organisations or associations that have a strong interest and commitment in the work of Pro Silva (Europe). These organisations are not restricted to Europe as the main area of activities, but may be active in different parts of the globe and help to build a global “Pro Silva Network”.

Associated member:

• Agrees to set of Pro Silva principles, shares aims and values with Pro Silva as well as avoids activities or communications which are incompatible with them
• May participate at the Pro Silva annual meeting and other activities organized by Pro Silva
• Has no vote at the annual general-assembly meeting, but can participate as guest
• Is not allowed to bear and use the name “Pro Silva” and the Pro Silva logo.

Fee: no fee for the moment