Youth and Protected Natural Areas

The main tool for the conservation of natural heritage within the European Union is the Natura 2000 network. It was set up to protect nature and maintain long-term natural wealth in order to provide the necessary resources for sustainable socio-economic development. This network is a member of the European Union.

The project proposes the encouragement of social inclusion for marginalized youth from the natural areas protected through informing, involving and accountability regarding the protection of natural areas, durable development and examples of good practices.

The goals of the projectː
1. To increase the level of informing and accountability of young people regarding the protection of the natural areas - Natura 2000
2. To improve the skills of using new digital technologies
3. To develop linguistics and cultural competences, group working skills

The project activities will involve specialists from local LAGs, specialists of protected natural areas managers, members of communities, local administrations, representatives of hunters and fishermen associations.

The project increases opportunities for youth , gives them an equal start in the life reality and enables an achievement of success in the future (by shaping traits such as tolerance, openness, self-confidence, curiosity, ability to work in a group - the use of natural skills and talents ). Prepares youth for today challenges, in order for them to broaden their knowledge of new cultural contexts, the willingness, and the ability to accept and recognize the differences in each of these contexts, and to gain a European awareness, and for that, the transnational project is essential.

Young people will be informed about the online platforms that contain information on environmental activities taking place at European and world level. In the future, they will be able to work on these platforms, to initiate local or larger events, they will be connected to the eco-friendly activities around the world.
Examplesː
‣ EU Green Capital
‣ EU GreenWeek ( May )
‣ EU Natura 2000 Day (May ,21)
‣ World Environment Day ( June, 5)
‣ International Marine Environment Day ( Sept, 25)
‣ The Day of Biodiversity (May,22)
‣ Earth Day ( April, 22) ( 2019 - Protect our species)
‣ EU Day of Parks ( May,24)
‣ World Day to Reduce Natural Disasters ( Oct, 8)
‣ The Forest Month (15 Mar - 15 Apr)
‣ The World Day of the Carpathian Mountains( Sept, 26)

It is expected that the ongoing project will contribute positively to the implementation of local, regional and national policies related to both the principles of sustainable development as well as the fight against unemployment and social exclusion.

It is estimated that the actions taken by both the participants and the institutions involved, using the results of the project, in the long term will have positive impact on the changing attitudes of local communities

At European level, the project will contribute to the promotion EU values connected with improvement of the environment and ensure that citizens have support for efforts to protect the environment, including through strengthening of cooperation between organizations from different EU Member States acting on behalf of environmental education.