Our wins for the animals
Since 1882, we’ve been rewriting the story for animals − one victory at a time. Change doesn’t happen overnight but after decades of relentless advocacy, innovative campaigns, and meaningful conversations with companies and policymakers. Here, we celebrate some of the key achievements we’ve accomplished together to create a better world for animals.
2024
Below, we highlight key achievements we have accomplished together for the animals in 2024.
Animal welfare finally represented in new EU leadership role
In September 2024, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced that a commissioner will have “animal welfare” as part of their title. This milestone represents a major step for Project 1882, strengthening the voice for animal welfare in EU policy discussions. This achievement follows the impact of the EU for Animals campaign, which gathered 309,897 signatures across Europe, including 39,827 signatures collected by Project 1882 in Sweden.
Protecting Swedish cows’ grazing rights
By law, cows in Sweden must be able to graze outside in the summer. However, in 2024, an inquiry by the Swedish government proposed removing this law – threatening a cornerstone of Swedish animal welfare that has stood for decades. Project 1882 submitted 110,927 signatures to the government from individuals who stand against the proposal. We also sent a joint letter signed by 16 animal rights organizations in Europe who calls on the Swedish Minister for Rural Affairs, Peter Kullgren, to defend the Swedish grazing requirement for cows.
Growing support for the European Chicken Commitment
The European Chicken Commitment (ECC) is a set of minimum welfare standards for companies to incorporate into their purchasing policies. These standards include saying no to Frankenchickens, who suffer from extremely painful growth rates, and ensuring more space and better living conditions. In 2024, we intensified our work with companies, achieving several notable victories for animal welfare − both in Sweden and around the world. Thanks to advocacy work by Project 1882, more than 60 companies in Sweden have said no to Frankenchickens thus far. In Europe, more than 370 companies uphold the same welfare standards.
Near 8000 visitors to our Euro Tour “For the Animals”
The upcoming years are critical for the billions of animals living in Europe’s factory farms. To raise awareness about their situation among EU citizens and policymakers, we embarked on a tour across Europe. With stops in 21 cities, 7,900 visitors, 70 mentions in international media outlets, and partnerships with 16 organizations, the initiative brought animal rights to the forefront and called for a full review of EU animal welfare legislation.
Over 30,000 signatures to the European Commission
During the European tour, we launched a petition calling for the European Commission to make animal welfare a key priority in its next mandate and deliver on their broken promises as quickly as possible. The petition gathered over 34,000 signatures, demanding that the promised update to the EU’s animal welfare legislation be implemented.
Project 1882’s initiatives in Ukraine
Ukraine is home to some of Europe’s largest factory farms, with chicken meat and eggs comprising a significant portion of exports from the country. Our organization, Project 1882 Ukraine, is dedicated to improving the lives of animals through advocacy and dialogues with companies. In 2024, we also successfully supported a vaccination campaign for homeless dogs in Ukraine, resulting in 350 dogs being vaccinated. Furthermore, in May 2024, we provided financial aid to evacuate around 400 animals following renewed attacks by Russia in the Kharkiv region.
50 years of fighting for a fur-free future
For over 50 years, Project 1882 has been working tirelessly to bring an end to fur farming. Through persistent work for the animals, the organization has successfully put pressure on different actors to say no to fur. Project 1882 has contributed to the phasing out of the mink industry in Sweden. Another significant milestone was achieved when the Italian fashion brand Max Mara Fashion Group joined the growing list of brands saying no to fur.
Leading the global fight to phase out cages
When Project 1882 began working to phase out cages 15 years ago, around 40 percent of laying hens in Sweden were kept in cages. Today, thanks to efforts by Project 1882, this figure has dropped to less than one percent – saving over two million hens in Sweden from a life in cages. Beyond Sweden, Project 1882 is working globally to phase out cages, collaborating with international animal rights organizations to eliminate cage systems and improve living conditions for animals.
See all major wins for animals in 2024
This year, we achieved significant milestones for animal welfare. Here’s a look at some of the key victories Project 1882 helped make possible over the past year.
Earlier achievements
Below, we highlight earlier achievements we have accomplished together for the animals.
- Project 1882 expands to Ukraine: In 2023, Project 1882 established a new initiative in Ukraine to create lasting change for the animals.
- 1.5 million signatures for a Fur Free Europe: In 2023, 1.5 million signatures were collected for a fur-free Europe, with nearly 100,000 collected by Project 1882.
- 1.4 million signatures for a future without animal testing: On August 31, 2022, the European Citizens' Initiative Save Cruelty Free Cosmetics reached its goal – an initiative that Project 1882 played a leading role in, gathering a total of 1.4 million signatures from EU citizens.
- Project 1882 founded the World Federation for Animals: In 2021, Project 1882 founded the World Federation for Animals, a global organization aimed at influencing animal welfare legislation at the UN level.
- 1 million signatures to demand maximum transport time for animals: Over one million signatures were submitted to the EU Commission in 2012, demanding a maximum transport time of eight hours for animals on their way to slaughter. The European Parliament expressed its support for the demand.
- Ban on animal testing for finished cosmetic and hygiene products in the EU: In 2004, the EU implemented a ban on animal testing for finished cosmetic and hygiene products. This was followed by a similar prohibition on testing cosmetic ingredients in 2009. That same year, it also became illegal to market any cosmetic products or ingredients that had been tested on animals within the EU. Project 1882 was created in direct response to animal testing, and tirelessly works on this issue.
- Project 1882 was founded: We have been a driving animal advocacy organization in Sweden and beyond since 1882, creating change for millions of animals.
We make a difference
Project 1882 strives for a world where every life matters. By supporting our work, you help make that vision become a reality.