IMPACT REPORT 2023
Thankyou, dearBFF...
for helping to create a positive impact on the travel industry
Traveling allows us to broaden our horizons, discover new places and cultures, and return home with fresh perspectives and priorities
As we explore this wonderful world, we are reminded of our negative impact on natural habitats and local ecosystems. As a BFF (Butterfly Friend), you’re joining our mission to create a positive, lasting, systematic change in the travel industry.
Butterfly Foundation wants to advance and educate the travel industry by causing no unnecessary harm, contributing to certified climate projects, funding local initiatives, and supporting boots-in-the-ground, grassroots activists and collectives that create a positive, lasting change with their meaningful work in the field
Responsible travel is on the rise, and we must lead the way Thanks to your time, efforts, contributions, engagement, and ongoing feedback, we're able to advance our cause to create a healthier planet with wealthier people, and diminish the inequalities and imbalances in today's world
This first edition of our annual impact report presents an overview of the fundraising efforts and the positive impact that we’ve been able to create so far, partly thanks to your efforts Each step forward - be it ever so small - brings us closer to a more responsible travel industry Thank you for being part of this journey!
Harry ButterflyFoundation
FButterflyoundation
“Youhavewithinyouthepowerto changetheworld.Everythingyou do,beiteversosmall,matters.”
~TheButterflyEffect
Imagine a butterfly flapping its wings in the rainforest in Brazil
This small movement could eventually lead to a tornado in Texas In short, that’s the power of The Butterfly Effect.
This idea shows that small actions, compounded over time, can have large and disproportional consequences.
We've tapped into this concept to create a force for positive change. In January 2024, the caterpillar that was once a larva left its safe cocoon to become Butterfly Foundation.
As a team of passionate world travelers, we soon realized exploring the world comes with a negative impact on our people and our planet Wildlife disruption, unnecessary pollution, insurmountable carbon emissions, and overuse of natural resources are but a few of the direct consequences travel is having on the environment
To counteract this imbalance, Butterfly Foundation engages itself socially and ecologically by supporting education, rewilding, regeneration, and clean energy initiatives for people and planet.
We are convinced that every step towards a more responsible travel industry, no matter how big, can make a difference, and we’re in it for the long run Whether you take the train instead of the plane, eat vegan meals during your trip, contribute to a charity, or offset your carbon footprint, every flutter of wings contributes to positive change Be that Butterfly
Butterfly Foundation is a non-profit, forpurpose organization: all revenues come from travel companies and responsible travelers who are committed to doing the right thing
With the three P's (Planet - PeopleProfit) as our moral compass, we aim to protect local ecosystems, fight the climate crisis, and create positive social impact while responsibly handling our cash flow
Stay tuned, because the Butterfly Foundation is about to spread its wings and take flight.
Becausewebelievetravelshould alsohaveapositiveimpact.
OUR MISSION
Butterfly Foundation wants to leave a positive impact on people and the environment and show that you can also use 'travel' as a tool to fight the climate crisis and social imbalances
Creating unique travel experiences and unforgettable memories often comes at the expense of the planet and local communities Being a responsible travel company is not an easy cookie to crumble: traveling intrinsically requires the movement of people, causing disproportional footprints
But when a butterfly flaps its wings, it can trigger a whirlwind on the other side of the globe. In the same way, small, positive changes, when made consistently, can lead to a massive positive impact over time. This Butterfly Effect is the core mission of the Butterfly Foundation. Let’s spread our wings and create a positive whirlwind together!
What do we want to achieve?
OUR STORY
Butterfly Foundation was founded in 2024 by Travelbase, a fast-growing travel company with more than 20 unique travel brands and communities
Travelbase organizes once-in-a-lifetime trips with a focus on nature and adventure As such, +85% of their trips are organized in Europe, many of them close to home (BeNeLux).
As a travel company, you can minimize your environmental footprint by supporting certified climate initiatives and educating travelers about the carbon footprint of their journeys via partnerships with CO₂ calculator organizations like Greentripper. At Travelbase, every team consists of 'Green Guardians', who commit to niche sustainability efforts, working hand-in-hand with local charities to make each trip more eco-friendly
When you book a trip with a responsible travel company, 1% of your total trip price goes to the Butterfly Foundation, which donates these funds to a variety of registered non-profit organizations linked to your trip This way, you are contributing to a more responsible travel industry, while traveling the world
Butterfly Foundation also aims to receive money from one-time donations and monthly donors, we call BFF memberships (Butterfly Friends)
It’sthejourney,notthedestination” ~Travelbase
Marth Harry Pieter Amélie
(Y)OUR IMPACT FROM 2023
+90% of travel partners’ trips are within Europe, many of them close to home (BeNeLux)
OUR 2023 PARTNERS
1% for the planet
We use 1% for the Planet as one of our main platforms to see which non-profits we should team up with Their rigorous standards to support the right organizations guides us in the process of selecting the most impactful ones
Travelbase
Travelbase donated €9118 directly to climate projects and aims to educate travelers about their carbon footprint Their 'Green Guardians' team promotes sustainable trips and forges partnerships with local charities
THE 1% RULE
Greentripper
Because of your offsetting contributions, BFF was able to donate €22 383,50 towards a climate project in Cambodia that fights against deforestation and protects wildlife and local communities
1% for the Planet connects businesses with non-profits that align with their values Inspired by this initiative, Butterfly Foundation urges travel companies to commit to donating 1% of their annual revenue not just their profits to selected non-profits linked to the locations where they operate This contribution is seen as a tax for using the planet's resources and supports environmental and social causes around the world.
You also play a big role in this. The more people join our mission, the greater our positive impact on local ecosystems and the planet. In 2023, we raised €31 501,50 from donors, of which 100% was donated to immediate impact projects.
OUR HEROES IN THE FIELD
Stichting Buitenfonds
€1 per participant of The Packraft Trail in De Biesbosch goes to the protection of the national park In 2023, a total of €1018 was donated
Mooimakers
Mooimakers leads the Flemish campaign against litter and flytipping We dedicated 8 hours to collecting waste and making a meaningful impact
Staatsbosbeheer
BFF partnered up with Staatsbosbeheer, an organisation that manages the Netherlands' green heritage
Rivières Sauvages
This organization is dedicated to protecting the last "Wild Rivers" in France and Europe We donated €200 to support their significant work and important initiatives
River Clean Up
All Packraft Trails are committed to cleaning up the rivers where they are operational, achieving a winwin scenario that collects 600kg of waste each time
River Collective
They aim to protect rivers through interdisciplinary collaboration and education We contributed €500 towards their meaningful work
Join For Water
A Belgian initiative dedicated to providing water access for all, a cause close to our hearts, motivating us to collect €6500 to support their efforts
Balkan River Defence
This group of river activists uses professional storytelling to protect the wild rivers of the Balkans We donated €500 to help safeguard these beautiful waterways
Balkan Rivers
Balkan Rivers is dedicated to preserving the enchanting "Blue Heart of Europe". Inspired by this meaningful initiative, we donated €200 to protect the Balkan rivers from dam construction projects
Free Rivers Fund
The Free Rivers Fund unites paddle sport enthusiasts with river conservationists to fund efforts preserving our undammed rivers We contributed €200 to this vital cause
PARTNERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Butterfly Foundation tries to make a positive change for each destination by partnering with one or more nonprofits that are fully committed to making a positive impact on local culture or ecosystems Here are some of the main projects we supported in 2023
RIVIÈRES SAUVAGES
1% The Planet member Rivières Sauvages is fighting to preserve wild rivers in an original way. This French non-profit ensures that rivers are given the eco-label of ‘Rivière Sauvage’ or ‘Wild River’ if they meet some strong criteria.
Their aim is to protect the largest possible network of rivers in France and the rest of Europe by officially certifying them with the Wild River label They do this by boosting awareness campaigns with local authorities, companies, and foundations
forests of De Biesbosch natural reserve and to rewild the area by planting trees, The Packraft Trail donates €1 per participant to Stichting Buitenfonds, together with Staatsbosbeheer
Mangrove forests capture crucial amounts of CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, storing them for millennia in their carbon-rich flooded soils In times of climate crisis, they provide a significant service to the planet by storing carbon underwater in coastal ecosystems, seagrass meadows, and salt marshes
JOIN FOR WATER
The Ghent-based non-profit Join For Water ensures reliable access to water for both people and planet, now and in the future Operating in nine countries and collaborating with various partners, their mission is vital In a creative fundraising effort, The Packraft Trail and Butterfly Foundation helped Join For Water by donating a weekend getaway in the Ardennes for 20 packrafters
Above that, participants of The Packraft Trail successfully raised €6500 for a crucial water and tree planting project in Ecuador, South America Thanks to our joint efforts, the collaboration with Join For Water contributes to protecting and restoring the vital watershed for this project by creating a large, internationally protected zone to curb polluting mining activities
Save The Blue Heart is a campaign of Balkan Rivers that focuses on safeguarding rivers in the Balkan, which are under threat from over 3500 planned dam projects Their mission is to prevent this potential disaster and preserve Europe's natural heritage with the support of various partners
The Packraft Trail is teaming up with River Cleanup on the Ourthe & Semoy in the Ardennes Les Deux Ourthes provincial park got hit hard by the July 2021 floods, the initial editions saw a surge in waste Much remains in remote spots best accessible by packrafts
We are organizing cleanups and lending out packrafts to River Cleanup for easier access during cleanups During a scouting trip in the Bavarian Alps, our team also collected six garbage bags full of rubbish along the Loisach river banks
The grassroots activists of Balkan River Defence leverage their professional storytelling and high-end videography skills to educate and raise awareness They organize actions along rivers, dams, and government buildings to emphasize the importance of protecting Balkan rivers.
The River Collective aims to protect rivers through trans-disciplinary collaboration and education. They are a network of students, academics, researchers, conservationists and kayakers that have a passion for free-flowing rivers.
Their members organize events that bring together river lovers and initiate action for the protection of our rivers. They combine resources and expertise to effectively protect rivers from unguided hydropower development and other environmental threats
RIVER CLEANUP
SAVE THE BLUE HEART OF EUROPE
BALKAN RIVER DEFENCE
RIVER COLLECTIVE
NEXT STEPS
More partnerships
In 2024, Butterfly Foundation aims to spread its wings and collaborate with at least 40 non-profits across different countries you can travel to
The foundation raises funds within the travel sector through private donors and travel organizations These funds are then directed to various non-profit organizations connected to your trip.
Our philosophy, along with our partners’, is based on the Triple Bottom Line model This business model states that success isn’t just about chasing profits A healthy, successful organization has 3 core responsibilities that are inextricably linked: Planet, People & Profit
For a healthier Planet
Under the banner #Planet, we focus our efforts on 4 categories that contribute to a more liveable world
Rewilding
Creating wilderness on both small and large scales allows natural processes to restart organically By reintroducing wildlife and plants, local nature and communities can flourish again
Regenerate
Following the natural recovery process by stimulating biodiversity and complexity This is a radically new approach to tackling the climate crisis in just 1 generation's time (±25 years)
Preserve
Preservation means protecting existing ecosystems and not allowing any mining. People are only allowed to use natural areas for recreation, such as national parks.
Conserve
Conservation literally means the safeguarding of ecosystems Exploitation by humans is allowed responsibly, so that the next generations can continue to enjoy them well into the future
NEXT STEPS
For a wealthier People
Under the banner #People, we focus our efforts on four categories that contribute to a more equitable world.
Educate
Access to quality education is essential, yet many children under 12 lack it Girls face particular barriers, though their education could significantly benefit a nation's health, food security, and economy
Saving Lives
Our goal is healthy lives for all By replacing traditional cookstoves with clean alternatives, for instance, we aim to reduce black carbon emissions, preventing illness and premature deaths from air pollution.
Ending Hunger
We work to ensure food security, improve food quality, and promote sustainable agriculture Our efforts address human health, agricultural pollution, food inequality, climate change, and cultural and biological diversity
Clean Energy for All
Our mission is affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy access for everyone. We're committed to replacing fossil fuels with wind, solar, electric vehicles, and heat pumps across all sectors to combat climate change and ensure a cleaner future
Give away more money
When it comes to #Profit, we try to maximize the impact of your donation
In 2023, we were able to donate 100% of our funds
Next tax year, in 2024, we aim to at least double our impact, by donating more money, getting more partners on board and reducing more greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere.
YOU’RE PART OF THE SOLUTION
“Smallacts,multipliedbymillions ofpeople,canchangetheworld.”
~HowardZinn
Becomeanon-profitpartner
Are you a non-profit organisation or activist group still looking for funding? We would love to work together with you! The more wings, the stronger the positive impact!
Or are you an influencer, journalist, politician or opinion maker with a heart for philanthropy?
We'd love to see how we can make a difference together, get in touch via email
Donateyourtime
Events organized by the Butterfly Foundation and partner organizations appear on our webpage Volunteer work ranges from river cleanups to tree planting, protest actions, and meet-ups
If you want to do more than just donate money and would like to make a tangible difference in the field, you can sign up for the events and experience the Butterfly Effect in real life
Butterfly Foundation is thrilled with the incredible efforts made so far, and you can help us reach our 2024 goals
In order to create a more responsible travel industry, there are several ways you can contribute.
BecomeaBFF
As a BFF, you'll join our community of monthly donors You’ll be investing in the well-being of our planet and our people
Whether you're an employee, employer, parent, friend, or simply a conscientious human being, becoming a BFF is the right thing to do!
Your recurring contributions make our work possible, and you’ll make a statement for the well-being of future generations. Every little bit helps, and as the Butterfly Effect states, collective action adds up.
“Themostimportantrightwehave, istherighttoberesponsible.”
–GeraldAmos