Organisation

Avalon is an international foundation, based in the Netherlands. The Executive Board and the Staff work from the office in Wommels. The Executive Board is responsible for the day-to-day management. It proposes policy intentions and, after approval by the Supervisory Board, is responsible for the implementation of these policies.

The Avalon staff is responsible for the actual execution of the activities - projects, events, new initiatives, etc.- that Avalon undertakes. The project managers have direct responsibility for the activities. The Avalon supportive staff is responsible for the communication activities, the financial administration and the secretariat.

An international Supervisory Board assesses Avalon’s broader policy framework and supervises the implementation of this policy by the Executive Board. The Supervisory Board also supports the Executive Board in acquiring funds and grants. It is an international body with members from Estonia, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Croatia and the Netherlands. The Supervisory Board has a special task in initiating and maintaining international contacts and presenting a distinct profile for Avalon internationally.

The Advisory Council is a group of renowned people, sympathetic towards the Avalon Foundation and its cause. It supports Avalon with advise on the broader international, political and economical environment in which Avalon operates.

Avalon frequently prepares and executes projects with the support of a group of selected international professionals. These associated experts cooperate with Avalon on the basis of contracts per project.

Organisation Chart Avalon Foundation
Supervisory Board:

Mr. Alex Oostvogel (dual chairmanship)

Mr. Marcello Palazzi (dual chairmanship)

Mr. Franz-Theo Gottwald
Mr. Piotr Krzyzanowski

Mr. Ehsan Turabaz
Advisory Council:

Mr. Boele Staal

Ms. Maritta von Bieberstein

Koch-Weser
Executive Board:

Mr. Martien Lankester (Executive Director)

Mr. Nico van der Werf (Executive Director Projects)

Avalon Staff:

Ms. Aukje Eisma (Administrative Assistant)

Mr. Gert den Hollander (Project Manager)

Mrs. Linda Huisman (PR & Communication)

Ms. Marianne Hut (Personal Assistant)

Ms. Cory Tasseron (Office Manager)

Mr. Jelle Wiersma (Financial Manager)

Avalon branch office Bulgaria:

Mr. Vlado Popov (Manager)
Associated Experts:

Mr. Jelmer Buys

Mr. Mark Redman

Mr. Darko Znaor

Memberships of Avalon
Avalon is member of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

Financial support

Past and present activities and projects are performed with financial contributions from, amongst others, the Dutch Postcode Lottery, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs (through the EVD, an agency of the Dutch Ministry of Economic affairs for international entrepreneurship and cooperation), the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature & Food Quality, the Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning & Environment, the European Commssion (DG Environment and DG Agriculture), UN institutions (UNDP) and national and international funding agencies such as HIVOS.

The Dutch Postcode Lottery generates a continuous flow of funds for charity organisations in the areas of development cooperation, nature and the environment, human rights and social cohesion in the Netherlands. Avalon is one of the lottery’s 53 beneficiaries. <more>