Wildlife Estates Label

What Wildlife Estates Label does

Wildlife Estates Label (WE Label) is a Brussels-based voluntary certification program operated by the European Landowners' Organization (ELO) that recognizes private landowners and estate managers across Europe for exemplary wildlife management and biodiversity conservation. The program serves operators of large rural estates — agricultural holdings, forestry estates, hunting estates, and national parks — who voluntarily commit to sustainable land management practices. Founded in 2005 (with operational scale tracking from 2007), the network grew to over 280 estates covering approximately 1.5 million hectares across 22+ European countries by 2017, making it the largest private conservation label in Europe.

The certification operates on a two-level structure: Level 1 requires signing the WE Charter committing to ten sustainability principles, while Level 2 involves completing a comprehensive questionnaire assessed against 12 criteria adapted to biogeographic regions — including tranquility levels, sustainable balance of activities, hunting and fishing grounds, conservation plans, biodiversity surface, habitat restoration, and cultural heritage preservation. Applications flow through national delegations to the Brussels-based European Secretariat for validation via on-site expert visits, with a 5-year reassessment cycle. Evaluator training is delivered in collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Madrid's Superior Technical School of Forest Engineers, conferring the WE European Official Evaluator title.

The business is distributed through a network of 22+ national delegations across Europe (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, England/Wales, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Bulgaria, Scotland, Spain, Sweden) that act as local sales and support channels. GTM is event-driven — anchored by an annual rotating Plenary Session, the EU Biodiversity Conference, and the Forum for the Future of Agriculture — supplemented by newsletters, multilingual press galleries, and the Belleuropa Award. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; the initiative appears funded through ELO, certification/evaluation fees coordinated at the national level, and institutional partnerships, with no external venture or private equity investment documented.

Name

Wildlife Estates Label

Legal name

European Landowners' Organization (ELO)

Website

https://wildlife-estates.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Wildlife Estates Label is a Brussels-based nonprofit certification program (under ELO) that recognizes private European landowners for exemplary wildlife management and biodiversity conservation across 280+ estates covering ~1.5 million hectares in 22+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Conservation Certification Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Support Activities for Forestry (1153)

SIC

Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200), Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Animal Welfare Certification Services (AFALAMAE), Wildlife, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation Administration (BPAIAMAG), Wildlife Health & Conservation Disease Management (HLAMAJAM), Ecosystem Services & Natural Capital Assessment / Valuation (EUAHAHAI)

Keywords

• Land conservation certification
• Biodiversity accreditation services
• Wildlife management standards
• Sustainable estate certification
• Private land stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussels , Brussels

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Label Certification Services: Wildlife Estates Label operates as a membership and certification program under the European Landowners' Organization (ELO). The initiative provides voluntary accreditation to private landowners who commit to sustainable wildlife management practices. Revenue generation details are not publicly disclosed.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Wildlife Estates Label is a voluntary two-level certification program that recognizes European landowners and estate managers for exemplary wildlife management and biodiversity conservation. Level 1 requires signing the WE Charter with ten commitments, while Level 2 (the WE Label) involves a comprehensive questionnaire assessed against 12 criteria including tranquility levels, sustainable activity balance, conservation plans, habitat restoration, and cultural heritage preservation. The program is distributed through national delegations in 22+ European countries, with on-site expert evaluation and a 5-year reassessment cycle.

Product overview

Wildlife Estates Label is a voluntary certification system operated by the European Landowners' Organization (ELO) that recognizes exemplary management of European territories for wildlife conservation. The program offers a two-level approach: Level 1 (WE Charter) requiring signing of Ten Commitments for sustainable practices, and Level 2 (WE Label) involving comprehensive questionnaire assessment across 12 evaluation criteria. The network encompasses over 280 estates covering approximately 1.5 million hectares across 23 European countries. Additional offerings include publications, newsletters, annual conferences, the European Biodiversity Conference, Belleuropa Award, and evaluator training courses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wildlife Estates Label: A voluntary conservation label awarded to estates demonstrating exemplary wildlife management and biodiversity conservation practices.
• Belleuropa Award

Products and services

• WE Label Certification (Level 2) Full voluntary certification for European landowners recognizing exemplary wildlife management and biodiversity conservation, awarded after completing a comprehensive questionnaire assessed against 12 criteria including tranquility levels, sustainable activity balance, hunting/fishing grounds, conservation plans, biodiversity surface, habitat restoration, and cultural heritage preservation, with on-site expert visits and a 5-year reassessment cycle.
• WE Charter (Level 1) Entry-level commitment in which landowners voluntarily sign the WE Charter committing to ten sustainable management principles, gaining access to the WE Label Network and exclusive event invitations, with up to 2 years to decide on full Level 2 label application.
• Wildlife Estates Publications Educational and scientific publications including wildlife management guides, wild boar population studies, biodiversity research, WE Leaflet, Annual Reports, Agriculture and Biodiversity study, multifunctional Landscapes, and the Public Goods report, available as PDF downloads to the WE network.
• Wildlife Estates Newsletter Periodic newsletter (e.g., Nr. 13 and subsequent editions) delivering news, event updates, project developments, and industry information to WE network members.
• Annual WE Plenary Session Annual high-level plenary session hosted in a different European country each year, bringing together land managers, landowners, policymakers, NGOs, and industry representatives to discuss biodiversity conservation and wildlife management best practices.
• European Biodiversity Conference Annual conference organized by ELO focusing on participation of land users in biodiversity protection, held in Brussels and featuring the Belleuropa Award ceremony recognizing outstanding WE Label territories.
• Evaluator Training Course Official training program for national WE Label evaluators, delivered under the auspices of the WE European Secretariat and the Polytechnic University of Madrid (Superior Technical School of Forest Engineers), awarding the WE European Official Evaluator title.

Quantifiable outcome

• 280+ estates covering 1.5 million hectares under the label as of 2017
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Butterfly Conservation Europe (BCE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2018WE Label is considering collaboration with Butterfly Conservation Europe for monitoring insect population dynamics and recommending territory management actions for improving meso- and macrohabitats suitable for butterflies and moths. A demonstrative session was held at Limburg, Belgium with BCE senior scientist Dr. D. Maes and ELO personnel to understand each other's procedures and methodologies.
• 3Water ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerELO is one of implementing partners of the 3Water Project to improve habitats. WE Label estates are part of land being improved under this project.
• European Landowners' Organization (ELO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWildlife Estates Label is an initiative of the European Landowners' Organization (ELO), a Brussels-based organization representing landowners across Europe. ELO provides governance, staff (including Secretary General Thierry de l'Escaille, COO Konstantin Kostopoulos), and organizational infrastructure for the WE Label program.
• Polytechnic University of MadridcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarlos Otero and Maria Ledesma from the Polytechnic University of Madrid led the first WE Label Evaluator Training Course. The Superior Technical School of Forest Engineers provides official evaluator training under auspices of the Wildlife Estate European Secretariat.
• François Sommer Foundation (France)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered for official launch of WE Label in France in March 2017. Hosted press conference in Paris with National Hunting and Wildlife Agency (ONCFS) and National Hunting Federation (FNC). Coordinates French WE Label activities.
• Forum for the Future of Agriculture (FFA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWE Label Award ceremony held at FFA 2019 Gala Dinner in Brussels. Partnership provides high-profile visibility for the label program with European Commission and agricultural stakeholders.
• Scottish Land & EstatescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresents landowners in Scotland and coordinates WE Label accreditation. Holds annual receptions at Scottish Game Fair. Target to expand WES scheme to 1 million hectares by 2023. Currently has 57 accredited estates covering 508,000 hectares.
• National Hunting and Wildlife Agency - ONCFS (France)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with François Sommer Foundation and FNC for official WE Label launch in France. Provides scientific expertise on wildlife and hunting management.
• National Hunting Federation - FNC (France)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered for WE Label launch in France. Represents hunters and supports sustainable wildlife management practices.
• European Commission - DG EnvironmentcoreOthersDirector-General for Environment Daniel Calleja Crespo and Director Humberto Delgado Rosa regularly participate in WE Label ceremonies and conferences. EC officials recognize private land managers' role in nature conservation and support the WE Label initiative.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/@Wildlife_EU
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wildlife-estates

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wildlife Estates Label