Ecoropa was founded in Geneva in 1976 based on a preceding discourse identifying the following issues of common concern
- Complex ecological interactions are not adequately addressed by addressing only one dimension of an environmental problem.
- Democracy and public information and participation are key at local and national levels. They need to be complemented, however, by international cooperation, wherever impacts cross national borders.
- North-South relations based on respect, fairness and justice are preconditions for long-term successes.
Ecoropa and its members maintained their cooperation throughout the years as a network of networkers on ecological reflection and action addressing emerging issues and emergencies of common concern at the interface between local, national and international levels. The membership varied from 30 – 200 over the years, each of them serving as a provider of information, analysis and contacts within Europe and worldwide.