A Rocha is an international network of environmental organizations with Christian ethos. A Rocha means "the rock" in Portuguese (see entry Rocha).

History

A Rocha International was founded in Portugal in 1983. The A Rocha Worldwide Covenant defines the rights and responsibilities of each A Rocha entity to the others. As of 2024, A Rocha is working in over 20 countries: Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Ghana, India, Kenya, Lebanon, Netherlands, New Zealand/Aotearoa, Nigeria, Peru, Portugal, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Uganda, United Kingdom, and United States. There are ongoing conversations with other potential groups around the world, particularly in East and Southeast Asia. A Rocha has five core commitments: Christian, Conservation, Community, Collaboration, and Cultural diversity.

Work

A Rocha aims to protect the environment through local, community-based conservation, scientific research, and environmental education, and they have “a track record of successes”. A Rocha operates field study centres in Canada (two centres), France (two centres), India, Kenya, Portugal and also in the Czech Republic. These serve primarily as a base for A Rocha's and other organisations’ field studies and for environmental education, and most also offer accommodation for visitors. Areas of A Rocha's work include: A Rocha also serves as an Erasmus+ / European Voluntary Service agency in France, the Netherlands and Portugal.