Youth-led advocacy for wildlife conservation

The project „Youth-led advocacy for wildlife conservation“ (YLAWC) is an initiative led by SABUKO – Society for Nature Conservation, a non-profit non-governmental environmental organisation based in Georgia. The project is implemented in partnership with the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds as well as Doga Dernegi/ BirdLife Turkey. All three organisations are member organisations of BirdLife International, one of the biggest wildlife protection network active across the world.The project’s overall aim is to enhance the capacity of youth and local communities to mobilise for the conservation of natural ecosystems and of endemic species of fauna and flora, and to advocate for improved wildlife protection policies in Georgia.Concrete objectives of the project include: 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 in their communities2- To establish partnership and dialogue between young people, local communities, civil society environmental actors and local and national authorities for developing strong environmental protection and wildlife conservation policy3- To provide international opportunities for exchange of expertise among youth workers and environmental youth activists, therefore strengthening international partnershipsThe activities of the project are organized around three main work packages: 1- Capacity-building programme for youth environmental activists – featuring an international training course on wildlife conservation, job-shadowing for Georgian fellows abroad, an international training course on youth-led advocacy and mentoring support to fellows during their local projects in Adjara and Kakheti regions2- Eco-Hubs in Adjara and Kakheti – the setting-up of two Eco-Hubs in regional areas of Georgia which will operate youth-led educational programmes and campaigning actions for raising knowledge and awareness of wildlife, as well as youth-led advocacy campaigns for policy improvements 3- Educational resources development and multi-stakeholder networking – the e-publication of a Youth-led wildlife conservation manual and an environmental education tool for youth, a multi-stakeholder conference on youth-led wildlife conservation and the launching of an mobile phone application displaying Georgian birds and opportunities for engaging on local conservation actions.These activities are managed thanks to an elaborated and detailed management plan, including monitoring and evaluation schemes, by the three organisations' specialised staff members in environmental education, wildlife conservation and advocacy campaigning.The project’s duration is of 2 years. Eco-Hubs activities will take place in Adjara and Kakheti regions of Georgia, other activities in various Georgian locations (Kobuleti, Kazbegi, Lagodekhi, Tbilisi, etc.) and in Bulgaria and Turkey.