We planted twice as many trees as last year!
On National Tree Planting Day – As part of the 2026 planting celebration, we planted nearly 200,000 trees at 200 locations nationwide, with the participation of 150 partner organizations, utilizing 40,000 free saplings and the involvement of 10,000 participants. With this achievement, we have doubled last year’s record number of plantings.
NÉPLIGET DECLARATION
On National Tree Planting Day, 10 Million Trees presented the 10 points of the Népliget Declaration.
At the opening ceremony of the Foundation’s action day in Népliget, the policy and public policy proposal titled “Népliget Declaration” was introduced.
According to the Foundation’s position, Hungary’s ecological baseline can no longer be treated as a sectoral issue: environmental policy must be an independent, priority national strategic area that precedes and determines economic policy decisions.
The declaration outlines specific proposals for the next government in 10 points – regardless of party affiliation.
NÉPLIGET DECLARATION – 10 Points
I. Strategic Foundation
1. Environmental policy should be an independent, priority national strategic area; it should not be a subsystem within economic policy.
2. The national budget should include a separate, protected green infrastructure chapter that cannot be reallocated for investment purposes.
3. A mandatory, public, and accountable ecological balance sheet must be prepared before every major investment.
II. Responsible Economic Operation
4. An environmental impact fee based on real measurements should be introduced for construction and nature-damaging developments;
the collected funds should only be used for green infrastructure development in the affected municipalities, in cooperation with local governments and civil organizations.
III. Forest and Water
5. Forests should be treated not as energy reserves but as climate infrastructure; ecological considerations should take precedence in forestry decisions.
6. The operations of state forestry companies should be subjected to regular, independent ecological audits.
7. The restoration of soil and water retention systems should be a priority national program, especially concerning the Great Plain and drought-affected areas.
IV. Social Embedding
8. To reduce the urban heat island effect, mandatory minimum tree and shading regulations should be introduced for all new developments and in large cities.
9. Environmentally conscious civil organizations should be involved as institutional partners in the planning and maintenance of green infrastructure.
10. A tree should be planted for every eighth-grade and graduating student in the respective municipality, and long-term care for the tree should be ensured.
NÉPLIGET: OPENING EVENT AND FAMILY DAY
The opening event was held in the Népliget, maintained by Főkert, as part of a family day organized in collaboration with them, featuring a variety of programs combined with tree planting.
This year, nearly 150 organizations joined the initiative announced by 10 Million Trees with their own tree planting projects, and plantings took place at 200 locations nationwide. The organization provided a grant budget of 19 million HUF, with 24 winners launching separate projects related to the day.
Among the participating organizations, the most plantings were offered by Krisna Valley, with a forest planting consisting of 55,000 individuals.
Similar to last year, celebrities have joined the cause, including Lia Pokorny and Péter Geszti, the long-time ambassadors of 10 Million Trees, as well as Gergely Litkai, Soma Mamgésa, Andrea Tallós, Rita Tallós, Áron Gauder, Marci Mehringer, Zsófi Kemény, Feri Elek, and László Hevesi.
FREE SEEDLING DISTRIBUTION – HERE’S HOW TO APPLY
The initiative also includes the distribution of 40,000 forestry seedlings in the coming days at 40 locations across the country.
Participants commit to caring for the planted trees for at least three years. More than 30 nurseries and seedling gardens supported the civic initiative, and a national gardening retail chain offered a 30% discount on seedlings and planting tools during the week of the campaign.
You can find answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding the seedling distribution here:
FORESTATION IN ZALA – PÖLÖSKEFŐ
Among the organization’s own projects, the largest was implemented in Zala, in Pölöskefő, where a hardwood oak forest consisting of 15 tree species was planted over six hectares.
CLIMANATRES DANUBE INTERREG PROJECT
Additionally, forest restoration planting took place in Tápióbicske, as part of the EU-funded CLIMANATRES Danube Interreg project.
During the planting, a scientifically grounded habitat restoration methodology developed in the project was applied, focusing on creating a natural forest structure and climate-adaptive species composition. Participation in the program presents a new challenge and opportunity for the 10 Million Trees Foundation, as we can work together with participants from five countries to create greener, more natural habitats beyond Hungary’s borders!
EUROPEAN CLIMATE PACT
The central event held in Budapest’s Népliget featured professional discussions, family programs, and community planting activities for interested attendees. At the event, Iván András Bojár, the leader of the 10 Million Trees Foundation, a partner organization of the European Climate Pact, emphasized:
“We do this because we cannot wait for someone else to solve the climate crisis for us. For us, tree planting is not a campaign, but a change in mindset. Every tree planted is a sign that we take responsibility for our environment and think about the future as a community. If many of us take this simple step, it already signifies real change.”
In the opening image: Lia Pokorny – Ambassador of 10 Million Trees | Photo: Bianka Csenki
Source: nemzetifaultetesnapja.hu
