Summer camp on environmental volunteering

17 April 2024

Sustainable Development Goals

Short description

The summer camp “Zapovednoye Poozerye”, held in 2023 on the basis of the Republican landscape reserve “Sinsha”, is an example of an initiative on youth environmental volunteering. It was organized by the State Nature Conservation Institution “ECO-ROSY” in cooperation with key local, national partners, and international organizations. The initiative emphasizes the importance of joint efforts in environmental education of youth.

REGION OF IMPLEMENTATION

Rossonsky district, Vitebsk region

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TOPICS

Environmental Sustainability and Resource Management
Social Development

CONTENTS OF THE ACTIVITY

The main objectives of the camp organization were to increase environmental awareness among young people, as well as to introduce them to key areas of sustainable development and effective environmental protection.

The camp activities were based on the principles of active participation of young eco-volunteers, practice-oriented training, accessibility for all participants, innovative and creative methods, networking, and environmental responsibility.

KEY STEPS OF IMPLEMENTATION:

Environmental knowledge and skills training. Conducting training sessions by experienced volunteers for younger participants, exchanging methods in the field of ecology and development.
Joint development with the management and staff of the nature reserve “Xinsha” of projects on the improvement of ecotourism infrastructure. Developing creative solutions to improve living conditions for all groups of the population, including people with disabilities and families with small children.
Conducting a hackathon “The whole family on a weekend”. Development of a new ecotourism route designed for family holidays.
Carrying out practical classes on landscaping. Installation of new benches, repair of swings, cleaning of beaches and other actions to improve recreation conditions and safety in natural areas.
Development of web pages and ecological quest. Work on digital resources for the State Institution “ECO-ROSY”, development of an inclusive ecological quest for people with disabilities on the territory of the reserve.

RESULTS AND IMPACT OF THE INITIATIVE

40 young people from the Vitebsk region took part in the summer camp on ecological volunteering “Zapovednoye Poozerye”.

Participants not only acquired valuable knowledge and skills, but also took an active part in the development and implementation of creative projects aimed at improving ecotourism infrastructure and landscaping natural areas.

Eco-volunteers gained knowledge in various aspects of environmental activities and joint project management. They realized the importance of preserving natural resources, studied the principles of sustainable development and learned how to implement ideas for improving ecotourism infrastructure. In addition, participants developed communication skills and creative thinking, which enabled them to introduce innovative solutions in the environmental field and successfully collaborate with various stakeholders.

The results of the summer camp “Zapovednoye Poozerye” emphasize the importance of an inclusive and participatory approach to environmental education and volunteering, laying the foundation for the further development of a sustainable and environmentally responsible society.

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