Raising YOUth awareness of BIO-diversity conservation via webTOON

<< Background >>The project idea stemmed from the consideration that humankind will have to make important decisions about the environment, which demands substantive knowledge of critical ecological phenomena like biodiversity. Through this project we aspired to change the way we view our natural resources and how we use them. Therefore, promoting sustainable consumption is a priority.We identified youth as the critical stakeholder as youth will be the main actors and the engine for change in future. The energy, motivation and creativity of youth are essential to stimulate change. Young people today constitute the main group of consumers in our societies, and the habits they will develop will have a deep influence on future consumption patterns and their decision will exercise a growing influence on markets and lifestyles, that eventually impact biodiversity.We’ve tried to address the need for engagement and empowerment of youth workers and young people for conservation of biodiversity by equipping them with knowledge and skills. If engaged and empowered, young people can build climate resilience and adaptive capacity in their communities even though they are among the most vulnerable groups affected by climate change.<< Objectives >>The primary objective of the BioYouToon project is to empower young people by equipping them with knowledge and skills on biodiversity conservation and creating opportunities for personal & professional development, through targeted training & networking.BioYouToon set out the following objectives:- Develop skills, methodologies, and knowledge among young people & youth NGOs about biodiversity.- Train youth workers, educators &trainers on integrating biodiversity and conservation education in their work.- Establish methodologies to facilitate cooperation between youth NGOs & young researchers, enabling collaborative conservation efforts.BioYouToon contributed to strengthening biodiversity education and delivered key outcomes, which included:- Educating youth workers and young people on the importance of biodiversity conservation.- Enhancing local-level capacity for biodiversity conservation activities by raising awareness, stimulating public action.- Expanding knowledge within indirect target groups through local activities.- Equipping youth workers with innovative training methods to better engage and inspire young people.- Disseminating project results across multiple countries, ensuring a broad and lasting impact.<< Implementation >>BioYouToon was divided into four Work Packages (WP). The WPs were implemented through a series of activities that were carried out in collaboration with partner organizations. The following activities were implemented.WP 1: Project Management- Project administration and Reporting - Impact Grid (IG).- Quality Assurance (QA) - NICEAWP 2: E-Manual for BioYouToon- WP 2 - Activity 1: Consortium-level Research Report of best practices and comparative analysis in the partner countries - IG.- WP 2 - Activity 2: Training Method to address the challenges by building on the identified best practices - IG.- WP 2 - Activity 3: The Joint Staff Training (JST) in Türkiye - NICEA.WP 3: BioYouToon Toolkit• WP 3 – Activity 1:1) Local Workshops (LW) - X-arts2) E-learning platform with two sections a) Interactive Toolkit - Polygonal North, b) Community hub - NGO Nest. • WP 3 – Activity 2: Short digital Bio-Webtoon comics - X-arts.WP 4: Dissemination & Visibility Campaign• WP 4 – Activity 1: Online/Off-line Dissemination Activities by all partners - MVI.• WP 4 – Activity 2: Multiplier Events (ME) in each partner country - MVI• WP 4 – Activity 3: International Dissemination Conference (IDC) in Italy - MVI.<< Results >>1. Project Management (PM)- PM plan- Risk Management (RM) Plan- QA strategy, QA Report- Quarterly Reports, Timesheets- Interim & Final Report2. E-Manual for BioYouToon – A guide for youth, youth workers, and trainers, containing:- A Consortium-Level Comparative Research Report – Identifying barriers to youth participation in biodiversity conservation, best practices to overcome them. An user awareness survey was conducted prior to preparing the report.- Training Methodology – Training methods along with learning & training content to train & engage youth.- JST Report – Outcomes and insights from the sessions during the JST.3. BioYouToon Toolkit – A set of digital learning resources developed through collaboration between youth workers & educators. It includes:- An E-learning Platform – An interactive Toolkit (separately for Youth & Youth Workers) co-designed with youth workers & trainers.- A community (discussion & educational) hub- Bio-Webtoon Comics – Digital comics to raise awareness about biodiversity conservation.- LWs & Reports4. Dissemination & Visibility Campaign- Website & visual identity of the project- Dissemination strategy and tracker- Dissemination activities- ME Report- Sustainability plan