EMPOWER aims to professionalise the contributions NGOs could provide to an integrated oiled wildlife response.  

Headed by Sea Alarm, the EMPOWER Network will develop and support the implementation of policies and activities that promote professional preparedness to marine wildlife emergency responses in all European coastal countries.

EMPOWER was established in late 2008 by Sea Alarm together with a core group of Founding Members.  The Founding Members of the EMPOWER Network are:

• Estonian Fund for Nature (ELF); Estonia
• Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA); Greece
• Legambiente; Italy
• Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ); the Netherlands
• Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA); UK
• Sea Alarm Foundation; Belgium
• Seal Rehabilitation and Research Centre Lenie‘t Hart; the Netherlands
• Wildlife Rescue Centre Ostend; Belgium
• Zoomarine; Portugal

The EMPOWER Network is governed by a Steering Group which monitors progress and defines priorities. The Steering Group, which is presently composed of representatives from the Founding Members, is currently developing protocols by which other organisations can join EMPOWER. In the future, the Steering Group members will be elected by EMPOWER members.

Joining EMPOWER enables organisations to be a part of a united front, dedicated to promoting professional preparedness to marine wildlife emergency response in Europe.

By uniting NGOs, the scientific community, and the oil and maritime industries together under one umbrella, members can collectively exert more influence on important policy issues. Members can also benefit from national and regional training events and gain access to the latest information in the field of oiled wildlife and other marine emergencies.

The website www.oiledwildlife.eu is EMPOWER’s home site.