The project “Youth-led advocacy for wildlife conservation” was an international project at the cross-road between education, youth and training sectors.

Society for nature conservation SABUKO, with partner organizations BSPB (Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds) and DD (Doga Dernegi) and with support of the European Commission carried out a Project called “Youth-led advocacy for wildlife conservation”.

The project was designed to respond specific challenges faced in Georgia, while remaining in the mandate of the applicant and partner organisations: implementing wildlife conservation actions, promoting biodiversity and educating the younger generation to take an active lead in environmental protection actions, including policy advocacy.

The project’s overall aim was to enhance the capacity of youth and local communities to mobilize for the conservation of natural ecosystems and of endemic species of fauna and flora, as well as to advocate for improved wildlife protection policies in Georgia.

Concrete objectives of the project included:

1. To raise the capacity of fellows from rural areas of Georgia to develop and implement results-oriented youth-led projects and actions contributing to wildlife protection.
2. To establish partnership and dialogue between young people, for developing strong environmental protection and wildlife conservation policy.
3. To provide international opportunities for exchange of expertise among youth workers and environmental youth activists, therefore strengthening international partnerships

Participants had opportunity to participate in the following courses:

• International Training Course “Youth for wildlife conservation” in Georgia: the training brings together youth workers from our partner organisation and from Kakheti and Adjara regions. Content includes wildlife management, understanding ecosystems, role of and impact on local communities, policy and implementation mechanisms, and environmental activism in Europe and beyond, the role of young people in environmental protection.
• Job-Shadowing for fellows from Georgia to partner organisations: during the job-shadowing, the Georgian Fellows got a first-hand experience by exploring real cases of wildlife conservation measures and actions, advocacy and campaigning, community mobilization, and environmental education for children and youth. The Fellows were hosted by the partner organisations in Bulgaria and Turkey.
• International Training Course “Advocacy for wildlife conservation” in Georgia: Aim of the training was to develop environmental education modules, raising-awareness campaign events and advocacy strategies for wildlife conservation in the respective countries, with a special focus on Kakheti and Adjara regions.

Eco-Hubs in Adjara and Kakheti:

After all curses and job-shadowing Georgian participants established Eco-hubs in their regions (Adjara and kakheti) aiming at community mobilization for wildlife conservation and advocacy.

Every Eco-hub did workshops, during which they developed  a 5-years strategic plan, specific action plans and monitoring and evaluation schemes.