The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC), with the financial assistance from Coca-Cola HBC Romania, launches its Training for Young Environmental Leaders programme for participants from Romania and Moldova. The programme provides advanced training in organisational development, project management and environmental topics in a stimulating international atmosphere. Each training session consists of three weeks of theoretical training focused on organisation and project management, and one week of practical experience at different locations (e.g. national parks, reserves, waste plants, energy plans, and other environmental NGOs). Theoretical training takes place in a multicultural setting at the REC’s head office in Szentendre, Hungary. The practical component (conducted at various locations in and outside of Hungary) focuses on the latest environmental methods to deal with such issues as preserving protected areas, sustainable agriculture, water resources, waste management and energy efficiency.
Focus
Theoretical training at the REC head office involves interactive group work and individual activities that produce tangible results. Topics include: NGO and project management, campaign strategies, media relations, PR and communications, fundraising, business plans for NGOs, public participation in environmental decision making, NGOs and civil society, legal advocacy, and much more. Participants develop products tailored to their own needs, such as project proposals, funding strategies, press releases and community action plans.
Participants also receive expert training in: preserving protected areas, national parks and reserves; water resource management; sustainable agriculture and eco-tourism; waste management and cleaner production; animal and wildlife protection; foodstuff certification; energy efficiency; air quality and pollution; and transport and traffic. The actual focus itself depends on particular group needs.
International exposure
Following the theoretical training, the practical training sessions demonstrate particular issues or actual environmental action (depending on group orientation), such as: how progressive farms employ sustainable agricultural practices; how national parks protect biodiversity; and how recycling plants sort, recover and pass on materials. Participants then have an opportunity to observe NGOs in Hungary carrying out environmental campaigns and organising projects within the context of EU regulations. The young leaders are invited to contribute to actual environmental protection programmes, and thereby gain valuable experience and build contacts for future cooperation.
Eligibility and funding
The REC invites young environmentalists from Romania and Moldova to apply for the 2007 programme sessions. Applicants should be between 20 and 30 years of age, display a strong commitment to the environment in their countries and the CEE region, work at an environmental NGO, possess citizenship from either of the two countries, and have good command of written and spoken English.
The REC will cover all costs related to travel, food, training fees and accommodation.
Selection process
The REC will screen all applications from potential participants. Brief telephone interviews will then be conducted with selected participants for final selection. Successful applicants will be notified of their selection no later than three weeks after being interviewed.
Application
To apply for the training programme, please provide the information requested and send it to Adriana Craciun via e-mail, fax or post.
Please also attach a letter of support from the director/chairperson of your NGO, explaining the reasons for recommending you for the training and how the NGO expects to benefit. The application must include ALL of the items listed below.
Personal information
- Surname and first name(s)
- Mailing address and permanent/residential address (if different)
- Daytime telephone number (with country and city code)
- Mobile telephone number and e-mail address
- Nationality
- Date and place of birth
- Passport number (date of issue, expiry date, issuing authority)
- Highest level of education attained and field of specialisation
- Work and other relevant experience
- Computer skills (please specify)
- Knowledge of English and other foreign languages (‘good’, ‘fair’, or ‘poor’)
Information about your NGO
- Name, address, telephone number and fax number of NGO
- Information about the NGO’s activities and focus
- Your role in the NGO (please provide details)
Choice of topics and methods
To help us to gear the training to your needs, please choose three of the topics listed below that most interest you:
- Preserving protected areas, national parks and reserves
- Water resource management
- Sustainable agriculture and eco-tourism
- Waste management, cleaner production
- Animal/wildlife protection
- Foodstuff certification
- Energy efficiency
- Transport/traffic
Motivation and expectations
- What are your motives for applying to this programme?
- What do you hope to achieve from your participation?
- Identify a project you wish to develop for your NGO during the training period, and provide details about it
Schedule for 2007
Training Period
September 3–28, 2007
Application deadline
August 10, 2007
Training Period
November 5–30, 2007
Application deadline
October 5, 2007
Application and more information
Please send your completed application, in English, following the directions provided. Should you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact Adriana Craciun at the REC.
Adriana Craciun
Senior Project Manager
Education and Capacity Building Programme
Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe
Ady Endre ut 9-11
2000 Szentendre, Hungary
Tel. (36-26) 504-068
Fax (36-26) 311-294
E-mail: acraciun@rec.org