After a period of silence on our website, we’re pleased to share an update—and a renewed sense of purpose.
The past few years have been challenging for NGO Simba. We’ve faced complex political developments in Iran and across the globe, which continue to evolve rapidly. In addition, limited financial resources have made it difficult to sustain our activities. Public perception of Iran’s natural heritage remains largely indifferent, and understandably, many people are focused on navigating their own challenges in today’s society.
Volunteer support has also been scarce. While we’ve welcomed passionate individuals, personal circumstances often prevent long-term involvement. As a result, much of the responsibility has rested on the shoulders of our president, Marjan van der Schaaf, who also holds a full-time job—making her availability limited.
Despite these obstacles, NGO Simba remains committed to its mission. We’ve taken important steps to become more agile, resilient, and future-ready. One of our key milestones was the establishment of a new office in the Netherlands, which allows us to better coordinate our efforts and streamline operations.
We’ve also revitalized our social media presence, thanks to the dedication of volunteer Alex Scheffer. Through these channels, we aim to stay connected with societal developments and keep you informed about our latest initiatives.
In line with our restructuring, we’ve made the difficult decision to relinquish our ANBI status with the Dutch Tax Authorities. While this designation was valuable, the associated costs—such as mandatory website publications and certified financial reporting—have become unsustainable for our organization.
Ending our ANBI status also means we are no longer required to maintain a board of three members. As a result, Ali Reza Osanlou and Fahimeh Ghajargir have stepped down from the board. We extend our heartfelt thanks to both for their invaluable contributions and unwavering support over the years.
Now, we look ahead with optimism. You can learn more about our vision and plans in our updated policy document: ABOUT – Simba Nature Protection and Education Foundation. We hope you’ll be part of this new journey with us.