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ProVeg International

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**History and Activities**:
ProVeg International was founded in Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom in 2017.
– The organization’s name derives from Latin ‘pro-‘ (in favor of) and ‘veg’ (veggie movement).
– It has country branches in Belgium, China, Czechia, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom, and United States.
– ProVeg participated in COP24 in 2018 and gained observer status at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
– They organize events like New Food Conference, Vegan Summerfest, and VegMed.
– Received funding for the Smart Protein project to develop plant-based products.
– Responsible for licensing the V-label certifying vegetarian and vegan products.
– Operates the ProVeg Incubator supporting vegan startups globally.

**Publications and School Programs**:
– Conducted the European Consumer Survey on Plant-Based Foods providing insights on consumer preferences.
– Published the Food & Pandemics Report linking intensive animal farming to pandemics.
– Reports received support from the United Nations Environment Programme and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
– Launched the Plant Powered Pupils program in 2016 to educate children on food impact.
– Collaborated on the Climate-Efficient School Kitchens project for sustainable meals.
– Introduced the School Plates program in the UK to improve primary school menus.

**European Union Campaigns**:
– Opposed the EU veggie burger ban (Amendment 165) and dairy ban (Amendment 171) in 2019.
– Co-signed a letter to Members of the European Parliament against the proposal.
– Ran a petition against the amendment with over 150,000 signatures.
– Advocated against banning meat and dairy names for plant-based alternatives.
– Efforts aligned with the EU’s Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategy.

**Governance and Recognition**:
– In 2019, ProVeg International employees raised complaints about sexism and pressure from the management team.
– Established a working group on diversity and inclusion in 2018 and pledged to offer nine disability-inclusive jobs by 2024.
– ProVeg has permanent-observer status with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and is a member of the UNFCCC Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN).
– Accredited for the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Assembly.
– Received the United Nations Momentum for Change Award in 2018 for its Climate-Efficient School Kitchens and Plant-Powered Pupils programs.

**Advocacy Efforts and Impact**:
– ProVeg advocates for environmentally friendly food choices and promotes plant-based diets for climate sustainability.
– Focuses on reducing the consumption of animal products and educates the public about the benefits of plant-based eating.
– Collaborates with governments and businesses to promote sustainable food policies.
– Calls for halting the promotion of environmentally damaging foods and emphasizes the negative impact of meat production on the environment.
– Engages in campaigns to raise awareness about the impact of food choices on the planet and works on initiatives to reduce meat consumption.

ProVeg International (/ˈprəʊvɛdʒ/) is a non-governmental organisation that works in the field of food system change and has ten offices globally. The organisation's stated mission is to reduce the consumption of animal products by 50% by 2040, to be replaced by plant-based or cultured alternatives. Instead of increasing the share of vegetarians and vegans, ProVeg's focus is on reducing animal product consumption in the general population.

ProVeg International
Founders
TypeNon-governmental organisation
FocusNutrition, health, ecology and animal ethics
OriginsVegetarierbund Deutschland, Leipzig
Area served
World
MethodInformation, support, campaigns
President
Sebastian Joy
Vice president
Jasmijn de Boo
SubsidiariesProVeg Deutschland
ProVeg Nederland
Websiteproveg.com

ProVeg operates in Germany (ProVeg Deutschland, founded as Vegetarierbund Deutschland in 1892), the Netherlands (ProVeg Nederland, founded as Viva Las Vega's in 2011), Belgium, China, Czechia, Poland, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

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