When: 20-25.05.2012

Where: Tsaghkadzor, Armenia

Who: Youth and Environment Europe and Stepanavan Youth Center

Activity type: Partnership Building Activity

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Project description:

The partnership building activity 'Volunteers for Environment' took place in Tsaghkadzor, Armenia 20-25 May, 2012. The PBA connected 18 youth organizations interested in and working on environmental issues with volunteers. 32 youth leaders, youth workers and young volunteers from 13 EU and Eastern European/Caucasian countries met to discuss current environmental issues and the good practices of their organizations in addressing them through promotion of volunteerism. They learnt together more about the possibilities and priorities of the Youth in Action Programme, developed partnerships and created new environmental joint projects (based on voluntary work). They also got new skills to assure effective projects in the future and the multiplying effect. Non-formal educational methods were used throughout the PBA including interactive sessions and presentations, discussions, parallel workshops, artistic sessions, working groups, information sharing, etc.

Aims and objectives:

• to connect youth organizations interested and involved in environmental activities and working with volunteers
• to improve environmental projects based on volunteers' involvement

• to share experience of organizing environmental activities in EU/EECA
• to explore possibilities and share best practices of volunteer involvement in environmental projects
• to create new partnerships and develop ideas for concrete projects between EU and EECA countries (in the frame of YiA)
• to provide a possibility to get acquainted with environmental issues, challenges, policies, campaigns and movements engaging young volunteers in protecting nature
• to introduce possibilities of international cooperation, especially in the frame of the network Youth and Environment Europe

Participating organisations:

• Youth and Environment Europe, Czech Republic
• Stepanavan Youth Center, Armenia
• Association Youth for Society, Latvia
• Raplection, Croatia
• Krasnodar Regional German Youth NGO Junge Kraft, Russia
• Ufa Falcon, Russia
• National Center for Children and Youth Gutta-Club, Moldova
• 'EurogemsLt' Association for Social Initiatives, Lithuania
• Associazione Artistica culturale 'A Rocca', Italy
• International Public Association 'Education Without Borders', Belarus
• Walk Together, Albania
• NGO Ukrainian Youth Centre, Ukraine
• SIQA-Georgian Association of Educational Initiatives, Georgia
• Youth Association Droni, Georgia
• D.G.T. Association (Do Great Things Association), Romania
• Fundatia Pentru Tineret (Youth Foundation) Buzau, Romania

Opinions from participants

'Armenia welcomed us warmly. I learnt a lot about environmental organizations and different activities they make. Next to building partnership there were also good opportunities for intercultural learning because the group was very multicultural. After sharing Youth in Action experience I learnt some tips about EVS coordinator's work and also decided that I will search for environmental EVS project. And even while waiting for my flight in the airport I learnt few more extra tips how to be more environmental friendly. The project was useful, it impressed and inspired me a lot.'
Azat Fattakhov, Russia

'Armenian PBA was my first partnership building meeting. Before the project I thought how to build our partnership. There were so many participants, so many countries, so many opinions... But this project exceeded all my expectations. I think it was due to the professionalism of the coaches and the great program.'
Lena Halamazava, Belarus

Photogallery

Photos from the project

Funders